Parking up for 1 month

[Philpatton]

evening all,
We are going on holiday for 4 weeks and I don’t know if i should put a battery conditioner on the car, disconnect the battery or just leave the car as it is.
I’ve had no issues with the battery and it starts every time on the button.
Do I need to do anything to look after zed?

 

[t-tony]

I can lend you a battery conditioner Phil, if you have time to fetch it. Shame we didn't talk about this on Saturday.

Tony.

 

[Paul Rice]

Never had an issue with my BMW's over winter when left. always started without issue.

 

[Philpatton]

I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to pop down as we have loads to sort out before we go. Thanks for the offer thou.
Apologies for not staying long on Saturday, but it looks like everyone had a great time. Ethan was desperate to get camping! I also changed the upper duct last night. It started to rain just as I removed the air box and I ended up getting pi$$ went through!
Is there a brand that you would recommend? Would you clip onto the battery, or onto the jump lead connections in the engine bay.
Thinking about it, I would probably be better buying a conditioner for use over the winter
Phil

 

[Philpatton]

Never had an issue with my BMW's over winter when left. always started without issue.

Hi Paul,
Did you just park up and leave it, or disconnect the battery?

 

[Sean d]

Should be fine left for a month, if you are concerened just disconnect the battery

 

[Paul Rice]

Hi Paul,
Did you just park up and leave it, or disconnect the battery?

Just left it. My Z4 hasn't run for 2 weeks up to yesterday started 1st time on the key.
Whats the worst can happen battery flat, trickle charge or replace (£50)
Have a great holiday don't worry about the battery, main thing to worry about every time the suns out you'll be missing the Zed.

 

[t-tony]

My Z3 would be almost dead after 3 weeks and My Z4 likewise. The one I use is like this one Phil.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOCHE-4A...921525&hash=item543c6592cb:g:TZAAAOSwu7xbrQIL

I just close the boot catch with a screwdriver then gently close the boot onto the cables, connected to the battery posts.

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

Been leaving my Z3 parked up for 4/5 weeks at a time over the last 3 years. Fires up every time with no issues.

 

[Paul Rice]

My Z3 would be almost dead after 3 weeks and My Z4 likewise. The one I use is like this one Phil.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOCHE-4A...921525&hash=item543c6592cb:g:TZAAAOSwu7xbrQIL

I just close the boot catch with a screwdriver then gently close the boot onto the cables, connected to the battery posts.

Tony.

Its the stickers draining the electric's

 

[Mint]

Normally just leave mine while on hols. 7 weeks in NZ and started no problem, unlike our 4x4.

The worst that can happen is the battery goes flat. If it does put it on charge for an hour or two, will be fine

 

[antodeco]

I leave mine between 3 - 6 months each year over winter and never had an issue!

 

[Dino D]

Been leaving my Z3 parked up for 4/5 weeks at a time over the last 3 years. Fires up every time with no issues.

This, never an issue sometimes two months even!
Thankful is not some old BL product

 

[NJBoyce]

Also if leaving parked up for a while always worth increasing tyre pressures to 50psi, but put a sticker on steering wheel to remind you to deflate before driving

 

[Philpatton]

So, I’m back from my month away and I moved zed out of the garage and back onto the driveway. The car started first time, exactly as she has every time I turn the key.
I didn’t do anything to prepare other than lock the doors and make sure all the interior lights went off.
The only minor concern is that there is a slight squeal from the engine when I pressed the accelerator pedal, but I think this might just mean zed needs a run out.
Many thanks to everyone who offered advice on what to do. It’s great having a community of people who offer advice and are happy to help.

 

[Dino D]

No problem, it’s always easy when the advice is ‘do nothing’

 

[MalcQV]

I've had six Italian cars and more or less back to back. They do over time leak electricity. I still have a 2001 360 and I have never attempted to leave it off a conditioner for more than a week.

I think mostly German cars are fine to be left (in my experience of five). If it is a long period, say two or three months or more then I would remove the battery or as I have a couple of conditioners (one spare) from my Italian owning days I just use one of them. Well that is assuming I can find it again this winter (the conditioner not the car, I know where the car is).

 

[GZed]

My Z3 would be almost dead after 3 weeks and My Z4 likewise. The one I use is like this one Phil.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOCHE-4A...921525&hash=item543c6592cb:g:TZAAAOSwu7xbrQIL

I just close the boot catch with a screwdriver then gently close the boot onto the cables, connected to the battery posts.

Tony.

Hi Tony. Is it ok to connect a smart charger to the battery without first disconnecting the battery from the car? Is there any danger of frying the car’s electrics/computers etc? (Or is that just scaremongering from the days before smart chargers?)

 

[t-tony]

I never disconnect the battery, but I connect both terminals of the charger to the battery terminals before switching it on.

Tony.

 

[Silvertip]

Disconnected my battery for 7 years, still great two years after re-start, incidentally the engine started immediately and ran perfect with 7 year old petrol.
Surprised the hell out of me !

Brian