Going on holiday for a forthnight

artvanderlay

Hi there,

I will be going on holiday for 2 and half weeks, and my car will just be sitting there while I am gone. Will it start on my return? Are there any other things I can do to make sure it's alright when i get back? Would I be as well parking it up with someone who can start it up every couple of days?
Any advice appreciated.

Many thanks.

YbFocus

If it doesn't start the battery was fecked anyway.
If it is old and has rear drum brakes then consider leaving it in gear so they don't seize up

CiniO

Unplug the batter before you go, and then plug it again when you come back.
That way you save yourself a risk of not starting

moc moc a moc

Also harder to nick!

Atlantic Dawn

2 weeks it should start fine, this time of the year your unlikely to get frost. If you car has double locking don't turn this on or you won't be able to open the car even with the spare key if there's no power. Having someone start it every few days but not drive it will actually drain the battery as the charge required to start the car won't be replenished.

CiniO

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

. If you car has double locking don't turn this on or you won't be able to open the car even with the spare key if there's no power.

This sound very strange to me so I just went outside and double checked on my car.
Nothing like that applies.
Even if you double lock, you can still open with the key with no power no problem.

Atlantic Dawn

CiniO wrote: »

This sound very strange to me so I just went outside and double checked on my car.
Nothing like that applies.
Even if you double lock, you can still open with the key with no power no problem.

On mine the lock on the door locks so that it cannot be opened even with the key, only opens with the remote locking button on the key and with no power that doesn't work. It's a dangerous feature, a couple of times I came close to having to break in to my own car with a brick

OldMrBrennan83

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artvanderlay

Thanks for all the words of advice. I read somewhere about unplugging the battery that it resets the computer and i don't want to get involved with that. I'll take my chances just leaving the car parked up in the shade and if something gets screwed up I'll let you know

artvanderlay

Patww79 wrote: »

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Also I don't have a clue what that yoke is...a clitoris? :pac:

jimgoose

artvanderlay wrote: »

Also I don't have a clue what that yoke is...a clitoris? :pac:

It's a car-battery terminal with an on/off switch.

charcosull

Patww79 wrote: »

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Where can I get one of these. I have an old mini that I hardly use and I just pop the connector on and off as needed. But this would be very handy.

jimgoose

charcosull wrote: »

Where can I get one of these. I have an old mini that I hardly use and I just pop the connector on and off as needed. But this would be very handy.

You can definitely get them on eBay for a few quid, but try a decent motor factors.

Cortina_MK_IV

CiniO wrote: »

Unplug the batter before you go, and then plug it again when you come back. That way you save yourself a risk of not starting

I used to do that when going away. I left it a few years back for 10 months (long story), got back, connected the battery and it started first time. Wouldn't recommend 10 months again though. :-D

tina1040

I've never ever had a problem with this. Unless you have a really old banger with a choke you should be fine.

freddieot

Bring it for a good blast down the road for about 20-30 minutes before you go away just to make sure the battery is fully charged. Main lights, A/C and other stuff - off.

Often left my cars for 4 weeks without any problem. Started first go.

OldMrBrennan83

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ironclaw

Left a car parked up for 3 months one time, and regularly leave it 4+ weeks, zero issue starting. First drive afterwards the brakes need a little bit of TLC but otherwise fine.

cml387

I would be wary of fitting anything that disconnects the battery.
In the olden days it was straightforward enough, but with the amount of electronics in modern cars it is taking a risk.Modern electronic systems do not take kindly to being suddenly disconnected from their source of power even if they are designed to take miniscule amounts of current to stay alive.
And I presume that you have the radio code to enter once your power up again, should that be applicable to your car?
I've never had a problem starting a car after a fortnight parked up.

If you are parking at the airport (especially Dublin) there's a greater danger of forgetting where your car is parked!

OldMrBrennan83

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