Leaving Car Outside for 6 weeks Unused

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Hi All,

I have a 12 year old, Mark 4 golf that'll ill be leaving in England while i return to Ireland for an operation (need the aftercare at home).

The car will be left outside, pretty much fully exposed as i don't have access to a secure lockup, or anywhere sheltered.

So my question - Is there anything i should do to make sure it'll still start when i get back?!


The car will be safe, but obviously exposed to cold over Christmas/New Year.

My stuff is still here and i don't see the value in driving the car over and back for when i return. I won't be able to use it in Ireland anyway.

Edit - Mods feel free to move should you see fit.

Ded_Zebra

there shouldn't be a problem. I would leave the battery on a trickle charger if it is possible to run a cable out to the car. If you don't then the battery may well be flat when you get back. If it is flat though you can charge it when you get back and it should be fine but the best option is to have it on trickle charge all the time.

Also if it was mine I would check the oil coolant and tyre pressures when I get back just to be sure everything is in order.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Would there be any logic to disconnecting the battery and leaving it inside?

Not sure if the battery drains through lack of use/the temps, or a combo of both.

BrensBenz

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

there shouldn't be a problem. I would leave the battery on a trickle charger if it is possible to run a cable out to the car. If you don't then the battery may well be flat when you get back. If it is flat though you can charge it when you get back and it should be fine but the best option is to have it on trickle charge all the time.

Also if it was mine I would check the oil coolant and tyre pressures when I get back just to be sure everything is in order.

I'm storing a car at the moment and, regarding trickle chargers, I'm using a small solar panel (approx 350mm x 90mm) rather than a mains dependent charger. Maplins (or online) have these for approx €20 (depending on demand - I got one for €14 a couple of years ago). It comes with a decent lead length, a 12v plug and croc clips. It won't recharge a flat battery but, all else being in good order, it will replace any leaks. Doesn't need sunlight - daylight is enough. Just leave it on the dash or rear parcel shelf. Using one of these solar panels, my son's Citroen started first time after 12 months while he travelled Australia, finding himself.

I don't know your car but disconnecting my (or my son's) batteries deletes various security codes, seat memories, etc. Much less hassle to attach a trickle charger.

Ronnie Beck

The tires would be a worry too. If you can get someone to move it once a week do. No harm to have started up either.

Bigus

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

The tires would be a worry too. If you can get someone to move it once a week do. No harm to have started up either.

Ott
Six weeks is nothing to worry about , some cars on forecourts are there for months at a time, no need to move it weekly, disconnect the battery if you have the radio codes, if not , it should still start after six weeks, or worst chase it'll go on a jump.

Just get the strength of your coolant/ antifreeze tested in the cooling system to prevent engine block bursting
and put some anti freeze screen wash in.your washer To stop the resevoir bursting with ice.

Good luck with the operation, don't worry about the car ,it won't know and doesn't care how long it's parked up!

Ronnie Beck

Bigus wrote: »

Ott
Six weeks is nothing to worry about , some cars on forecourts are there for months at a time, no need to move it weekly, disconnect the battery if you have the radio codes, if not , it should still start after six weeks, or worst chase it'll go on a jump.

Just get the strength of your coolant/ antifreeze tested in the cooling system to prevent engine block bursting
and put some anti freeze screen wash in.your washer To stop the resevoir bursting with ice.

Good luck with the operation, don't worry about the car ,it won't know and doesn't care how long it's parked up!

I would have thought six weeks in freezing weather would be bad for your tyres, but I do tend to get a bit of ocd sometimes.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Thanks to all for the advice!

Just on this Bigus,

Bigus wrote: »

Just get the strength of your coolant/ antifreeze tested in the cooling system to prevent engine block bursting and put some anti freeze screen wash in.your washer To stop the resevoir bursting with ice!

Is that a mechanic job to have the strength tested? Any idea of cost?

Buffman

Mr_Roger_Bongos wrote: »

Is that a mechanic job to have the strength tested? Any idea of cost?

You should be able to pick up a hydrometer kit in the motorfactors, cost shouldn't be that high.

The handbrake may be a bit sticky also, and you should test the brakes when you start driving it again, as there may be a little bit of surface rust after lying up.

Pete67

Buffman wrote: »

The handbrake may be a bit sticky also, and you should test the brakes when you start driving it again, as there may be a little bit of surface rust after lying up.

Good point, if you can leave the handbrake off and the car in first gear (manual) or Park (automatic). Should not be a problem if you are parked on the level, if on a slight slope park next to a kerb and point the front wheels towards it so the car won't roll.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Well lads, sorry to bump but a small update;

I now have the option to store the car in an underground car park, would the more consistent temperature be better for the car than leaving it outside exposed to the elements?

Ded_Zebra

Mr_Roger_Bongos wrote: »

Well lads, sorry to bump but a small update;

I now have the option to store the car in an underground car park, would the more consistent temperature be better for the car than leaving it outside exposed to the elements?

It would be better all right.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

The only tricky thing is that its underground so no trickle charge and its a place i might find tricky to get a jump start from (friend lives in the block of apartments and doesn't use the space), is the battery likely to be dead after 6 weeks no use underground?

Esel

Would your friend be willing to keep the battery in their apartment and leave it on a trickle charger?

Mr_Roger_Bongos

I don't think i'd stretch his kind offer that far!

Esel

Then get one of those Maplin's solar panel trickle chargers and leave it outdoors as originally planned. You should probably leave the car in gear with the handbrake off, and the front wheels turned to the kerb (if applicable) to guard against the handbrake seizing.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Thanks for all the advice lads.

Leaving it outside with the solar panel as you suggest, might throw and update on when i get back if she starts!

BrensBenz

OP, Just a quick note on the solar panel: If you plan to plug the solar panel into your 12volt cigarette lighter socket, you need to check that the socket is actually "live" when the ignition is off. If the socket is dead when ignition is off, the panel charge will go nowhere and you'll need to think about attaching the croc clips onto the battery or to any other +pos and -neg point leading directly to the battery.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Thanks for that BrensBenz, i'll use the bluetooth charger to check it when i get a chance.

Would i be able to set it on windscreen outside car if the croc clips had to be used, can't think of another way beyond looking for dashboard gaps to engine!

Who'd have thunk leaving a car for a few weeks would take so much planning!:)

Bigus

Mr_Roger_Bongos wrote: »

Thanks for that BrensBenz, i'll use the bluetooth charger to check it when i get a chance.

Would i be able to set it on windscreen outside car if the croc clips had to be used, can't think of another way beyond looking for dashboard gaps to engine!

Who'd have thunk leaving a car for a few weeks would take so much planning!:)

It doesn't take any planning, personally I'd go for the underground as she is, and this is talking from experience.

RandomAccess

Mr_Roger_Bongos wrote: »

Thanks for that BrensBenz, i'll use the bluetooth charger to check it when i get a chance.

Would i be able to set it on windscreen outside car if the croc clips had to be used, can't think of another way beyond looking for dashboard gaps to engine!

Who'd have thunk leaving a car for a few weeks would take so much planning!:)

Perhaps its not weather resistant / theft resistant. I would keep it on the dash, if the cable is not too thick you should be able to just close the door on it without doing much harm. Source: Womens handbags/coats and the like are always hanging out of the bottom of car doors

Esel

RandomAccess wrote: »

Perhaps its not weather resistant / theft resistant. I would keep it on the dash, if the cable is not too thick you should be able to just close the door on it without doing much harm. Source: Womens handbags/coats and the like are always hanging out of the bottom of car doors

Yeah, there should be no problem feeding the wires out the door and under the bonnet if necessary. It comes with crocodile clips for this, afaik. I wouldn't leave it outside the car unless you have to, and if you have a very secure location for the car, because if the solar panel is visible it might well be nicked/vandalised.

Merch

Esel wrote: »

Would your friend be willing to keep the battery in their apartment and leave it on a trickle charger?

Dont do that, batteries give off hydrogen gas, they contain acid and are heavy.
Just leave it in the car OP

Esel wrote: »

Then get one of those Maplin's solar panel trickle chargers and leave it outdoors as originally planned. You should probably leave the car in gear with the handbrake off, and the front wheels turned to the kerb (if applicable) to guard against the handbrake seizing.

I wouldnt leave the handbrake off, its not the arctic we're in, but do leave it in gear anyway (1st), if on a hill OP turn wheels as suggested. If the brakes do happen to stick, then release handbrake and put pressure back and forth slightly (using the engine and gears)that should release it.

I've started a car after months,3 or 4, fine. I did nothing.
As for a hydrometer for the coolant?, wouldnt bother, just top it up with undiluted coolant/anti freeze, if you are unsure of how diluted the coolant was before you could siphon out whats in the coolant reservoir and fill with new stuff. Then run the engine/give car a spin, that will get it mixed.

I'd go for the solar trickle charger if you are suspect of the battery being weak, its been suggested to me to turn off car alarm if parked up like that for a while as that will draw current from the battery, but if you have the trickle charger on, you'd be ok.
You could test to see if the 12v is live without the ignition, by plugging in any device powered from it, like a gps that will tell you if its being charged or anything with a visual indication liek an led on a charger.

the other option is the do nothing option, if the battery is strong and you know that then that should be fine. Disabling the alarm might not seem liek a great idea, but who will respond to it? just annoy people and maybe run the battery down,you cant check it or turn it off it is set off.

BrensBenz

Yes, as said above, if the 12volt socket is dead without the ignition key, you could keep the solar panel on the dash and feed the cable through the door and bonnet to the battery terminals. The cable is thin enough to survive being squeezed by a door seal. To deter vandals, you also might be able to further conceal the cable in the gaps between door / wing / bonnet.
If you fancied a little DIY, you'll probably find one or more interior courtesy lights work without the key in the ignition, i.e. they have a (more or less) direct route to battery. I'm not very familiar with the furniture in your Golf but there are probably several other points in it permanently carrying 12volts.
My son's Citroen had a light in the glove box - remove bulb, connect +clip to contact, connect -neg clip to (in my case) the BBMT (Big Bare Metal Thing) under handbrake lever. To make sure I had a connection, I put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and watched the reading flicker as I covered and uncovered the solar panel. I also had to disable the switch so the glove box could be closed without breaking the circuit.
What did I get for all this care and consideration? A postcard from Sydney Haaabaaa!

Fiona

Mr_Roger_Bongos wrote: »

The only tricky thing is that its underground so no trickle charge and its a place i might find tricky to get a jump start from (friend lives in the block of apartments and doesn't use the space), is the battery likely to be dead after 6 weeks no use underground?

Just get a booster pack and jump it off that problem solved.

Merch

do nothing option

be fine

Esel

Fiona wrote: »

Just get a booster pack and jump it off that problem solved.

A somewhat expensive approach to the issue, though...

Fiona

Esel wrote: »

A somewhat expensive approach to the issue, though...

Not really at least you will always have it.

Depends on how interested you are in having all the tools you need to maintain you during your motoring career so to speak.

doctorchopper

easiest thing would be just disconnect the battery, If its in a good state of charge it will be fine. As for the handbrake, if its on level ground i wouldn't use it, no need for it, just leave the car in gear. If you are worried about theft they wo 't be able to start it with battery disconnected,

hoodie6029

anti freeze tester for £1.99

Slightly over inflating tyres is usually recommended for storing classics over winter but just inflating to normal pressure will do for six weeks.

Wouldn't worry too much about the car OP, should be fine with a few simple checks. If your insurance covers breakdown you might be able to get free jump start if you need it on your return.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Thanks everyone for your contribution!

With all this i'll be well set!

Esel

Never mind the car - hope the operation goes well!