Is it safe to leave the car battery unplugged for few weeks when we are away?
Is removing the negative terminal only enough?
Thanks
Leave Car Battery Unplugged for Few Weeks
hentabara on 06/11/2022 - 17:22
Comments
Thanks. I am not sure with radio. Is it like FM/AM radio?
Some older radios require a pin number to be entered after disconnecting the battery. If you have the pin then you are fine.
Depends on age of car
Many late model cars require battery connected all the time!As others have stated you may lose the use of your car stereo which is protected by requiring a security code when removed from car or battery is disconnected.
The best option is to use a "treakle charger" to keep the battery fully charged
Maybe take a look at this one on eBay
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Projecta-Battery-Charger-12V-4-S…
Wouldn't that make it a sweet -but sticky- option?
It's perfectly fine to disconnect your negative terminal, just make sure it's tucked away and has no chance of contacting the battery while you're away
Thanks. Can I wrap it in plastic bag?
Just wrap an old rag or similar.
Yeah taht'd be fine
What is the advantage of leaving it unplugged?
avoid fully draining the battery which can be hard to recharge/recover.
So I’m leaving my car at the airport for 2 weeks, should I disconnect my battery too?
How old is the battery? I’d probably leave it connected for 2 weeks unless the battery is getting long in the tooth.
Take the rotor button as well so no one can steal it.
At Perth Airport the carpark staff can help with jump starting if it does go flat. I imagine it is a common problem.
Personally I think the chances of disconnecting the battery causing a minor issue are greater than the chances of the battery going flat.
If it does go flat you were probably due for a new battery anyway.
Option 1 disconnect, but know that you’ll likely need to reset all your settings again.
Option 2: connect some form of trickle charger while you are away.
does a trickle charger need to be plugged into a mains power point?
Not if its solar.
Or if the charger was connected to another car that was idling. Just get someone to top up the tank of that other car every day for the next few weeks and you're golden.
My dad made it back to Aust before the borders shut in 2020. When he went back to Malaysia this year, he just put in a new battery 😂
But we have left for longer holidays, 2 weeks - 1 month +, batteries were still OK when we got back.
A few weeks with the battery left connected is fine. I've left my car for a couple of months and it still started upon my return.
Also, would disconnecting the battery have any effect on things such as keyless entry/smart keys?
Also, would disconnecting the battery have any effect on things such as keyless entry/smart keys
No
Beg to differ, YES it could.
Remember, the car's receiver for the keyless entry IS listening all the time, so it will use some battery.
But should be A-ok for several weeks without issue.
Just be careful when you re-connect. Especially you don't short out terminals when you use a spanner to tighten the terminal bolt. You'll be surprised how close you can get when tightening.
For a few weeks, there is no need to do anything at all unless you have dashcams constantly running or something like that.
Not all cars can unplug battery especially the newer models which have complicated ECU. However the older Japanese cars it’s ok to unplug battery.
Everytime a battery is completed disconnected - my car has to go through a reprogramming sequence otherwise it stalls. Had the car serviced once and it was stalling all the way home. Mechanic said to just drive it normally. Was a hassle for a couple of days (stalling at the lights - and yeah its an auto before you ask) - it just righted itself eventually
Generally leave my car on trickle charger. For 2 weeks it might be worth checking if leaving the car at home on trickle rather than paying for long term parking at the airport? (Assuming that was the problem when you asked does it need to be connected)
Battery will be ok for most cars for 6 weeks.
There is no drain, except a clock.
Works for 15 yo Camry for 6-8 weeks ok.depends on your definition of few weeks really.
less than 6 weeks , i would not bother disconnecting the battery.
if its more than couple of months , its better to get a trickle charger rather than disconnecting the battery.I left mine for 15 weeks when I went on holidays came back started it up with no issues.
I reckon the need to disconnect battery is an old wives tale. At least for modern cars and batteries. I used to do so religiously. Anything built this century should be ok, at least for 3 to 4 weeks.
In fact, it's less trouble to ring RACx on your return if there is a problem, than all the rubbish about disconnecting, reconnecting and worrying about radio pins.
Yes and yes.
Give the car a good run on your return. Does your radio need a code?
Have a nice holiday.