Storing your car - what to do

[DreamensioN]

I left mine connected for 5 weeks while we were in Africa on safari (highly recommend it if you get the chance - you just CANNOT take a bad photo).

When I got back - the car started first go, like nothing happened.

[Transporter]

Oh, it must be that time of the year again.
Just search for the thread with the similar title. There is one per year,.... at least.

[seangti]

Yup, wouldn't be concerned about 4 weeks on a fresh battery. 5yr old battery could go either way though. When you restart, just have a good drive to make sure it's charged again.

[masev]

6 weeks slumber and started like like dream!

[MkVIGTI]

I left my GTI plugged in while I went on a holiday last Christmas, 5 weeks later it started like I just drove it yesterday!

[governor22]

hey guys, is there a thread on this for the mk4 golf/bora ? i'm away over this summer for about 8 weeks, and not sure what i should do... i'd ask my dad to take her out for a drive now and then, but doubt i'd get him out of his GTI haha

[Transporter]

I recommend CTEK battery charger to my customers who are frequently on the business trip or on long holidays. CTek is the only charger that can be connected to the battery without disconnecting the battery from the car. The smallest one that will maintain the battery while you're away costs around $80. Well worth it, the good battery will cost you double.

[Brendan_A]

My brother is on a 6 month deployment in the Ghan and his fiancee went to start his GTI after 9 weeks and it was dead! So when I fly down to the ACT in December to drive his car back to QLD it might be up for a new battery.

@ governor22. You might want to buy a trickle charger to keep it maintained.

[governor22]

yeah, sounds like a trickle charger might be the go. or else i just unplug it. is it as easy as it sounds to unplug ?

edit: sorry, what i meant was: won't there be issues with the immobiliser/alarm when you plug battery back in ?

[Transporter]

Also remember that the lead acid batteries have the self discharge rate around 1% capacity per day, even disconnected and properly stored. That also depends from the construction of the battery and so on.

Fully charge the battery before you leave (using charger or by long drive), if you drive short trips, might help when the battery is older (3 or more years).

[dieterbohlen]

What do you do?

How long can you leave Golf without starting up?
What do you do when you go on holidays?
How many days can you keep Golf without turning your ignition on?

[SilvrFoxX]

As long as the battery lasts

[dieterbohlen]

but I guess it's not good to leave the car without starting it up every couple of days isn't it?

[SilvrFoxX]

nope should be fine.. the real issue is the fuel going off but this is not common and you can get additives to deal with this

[Transporter]

but I guess it's not good to leave the car without starting it up every couple of days isn't it?

You don't have to start it every couple of days, just make sure the battery is fully charged and the car locked. The battery that is 1-3 years old and in good condition should still start the car when stopped for 3-4 weeks.

If you get someone to start it once a week, make sure that he lives the car idling for at least 1/2 hour, otherwise the energy used for starting will not be put back in the battery by the alternator.