Car battery and holiday

[docballs]

May have to take delivery of new car and then leave it parked for 3 weeks.
I know I could delay delivery but I am scared it will get used in showroom or worse still- be used as a test demo -- be still my beating heart. Break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.
Should I get the battery disconnected - car will be secured in a fortressed location.
And no - I cannot loan it to someone to take care of it for the time I will possibly be away. It would be like giving the newborn baby away for safe-keeping

[Transporter]

If it is only 3 weeks you should be alright as long as the battery is fully charged before you leave. I however would buy a small CTEK battery charger for $80 or $120 and leave it on charge.

[docballs]

Thanks Transporter,
Where do I get one from?

[Transporter]

Thanks Transporter,
Where do I get one from?

Repco or Independent Battery Distributor or http://www.batteriesdirect.com.au/sh...FQXgbgodkEiX_g

[Maverick]

Should I get the battery disconnected - car will be secured in a fortressed location.

You could but if you lock the car and close the bonnet after disconnecting the battery you will have to smash a window, pull the bonnet release and connect the battery. Your other option is to have it taken on a flatbed to a VW dealer.

Either go with a charger as Transporter suggested or don't worry about it and see if it starts when it get's back (which it should do without any problems).

[wandersen]

You could but if you lock the car and close the bonnet after disconnecting the battery you will have to smash a window, pull the bonnet release and connect the battery. Your other option is to have it taken on a flatbed to a VW dealer.

Either go with a charger as Transporter suggested or don't worry about it and see if it starts when it get's back (which it should do without any problems).

Why would you need to do that ? Can't you just unlock with a key ?

[ian]

Why would you need to do that ? Can't you just unlock with a key ?

Thats what i thought. but 3 weeks wont flatten the battery Ive left vehicles for over a month and they started straight away.

[Transporter]

Thats what i thought. but 3 weeks wont flatten the battery Ive left vehicles for over a month and they started straight away.

There is a possibility that battery is already quite discharged, the OP is saying he will take the delivery of the car and then leave it parked in the garage for 3 weeks. So unless he fully charge the battery by continuous driving for 1-2 hours or from the battery charger before he leaves, there is a good chance that the battery might be flat when he gets back. The lead acid batteries don't like to be fully discharge it shortens their life or if the battery is a bit older it can kill the battery.

[GTi Crow]

Fully charged battery in a Polo GTI (9N) a couple of years ago left for 4 weeks while son overseas. Went round nearing the end of 3 weeks - battery dead. New vehicles bleed a lot more from a battery than older style which could be left for a lot longer. Some vehicles had a dormant setting which can be instigated by dealer (top end model Holdens, believe Mercs as well) by remote coding.

Best to get a CTEK Charger and hook it up - saves heaps of issues later.