As I cycle to work and tend to walk to the shops my (new to me) Fabia vRS does not get used all that much - it was last used the weekend before last (11 miles). It is dry garaged and covered with a sheet so it is safe from the elements, but unlike my Estelle, I have the feeling it may have a small and constant drain from the battery which may make the car not able to be started when I do need it. My Estelle lasts around 6 weeks without starting before the battery fades, and then it is an easy task to bring the battery indoors for a charge-up.

So, how long can I leave a Fabia vRS before it does not start? Should it be started and run in the garage to charge the battery, or would one of those solar powered trickle chargers be a good idea?

Thank you for any guidance.

Trickle charger (of whatever kind) every time. Starting the engine just for the sake of it has its own problems...

Thanks for the info - will get a trickle charger on order today:thumbup:.

Do you know offhand approximately what time the Fabia can be left unused without risk of a flat battery?

Thanks again.

if its left for days on end why not undo a battery terminal.

What about a £15 12v solar panel on the rear parcel shelf or dash? You can pick them up from Maplins or ebay. Would take weeks to charge up fully from flat, but should provide enough power to stop the battery discharging.

Mine was off the road for about 3 weeks whilst on honeymoon, and started first time when we got back. Disconnecting the main battery will drain the alarm's back-up and also reset the stereo security (although this might not be an issue as long as the stereo isn't removed also). Seeing how the car is garaged and covered, you'll probably need a mains charger rather than a solar one - you're looking at less than a tenner for a trickle charger, but you might want to spend a bit more and get on that'll charge from flat too in case the worst happens...

HTH

Leaving a diesel for long periods of time isnt good for it.

If the fuel is going to be sitting around for a long time, add some diesel bug preventor to your fuel.

You normally only get diesel bug on boats as they can be stationary for a long while, but has been known on cars.

It will cause your engine to basically not run, or keep cutting out, will block all of your fuel filters, and can ruin your injectors.

Can cost hundreds if not thousands to fix.!!

My Advice...

Keep a full tank of fuel.

Take it for a drive once a week (just to circulate the fuel)

Add the diesel bug preventor (type it into google)

Check yourfuel filter for a black looking gunge (thats the diesel bug).

Thanks

Michael

I've got another car that I did a grand total of 1002 miles in last year and most of that was taking it on short runs every couple of weeks just to turn things over.

In the last year it's had the RAC out to it twice (once with a holed fuel filter - that was not fun...), has had both rear dampers fail, has had to have the rear brakes rebuilt, and both front hubs will need replacing in the very near future.

All this on a six year old car.

Coincidence? I think not.

Michael,

Thanks for the info. Never heard of diesel bugs, but now I am aware I can prevent them (hopefully). The fuel has been in the tank for 6 weeks now, so I will top up the tank and see if I can get hold of some 'anti-bug' solution for the winter lay-up. I will make the effort and take the car out some weekly runs too. Come to think of it I got some anti-water solution for my Estelle, but with petrol (not sure about diesel) the fuel in the tank evaporated and when the car was put in the garage in September it had 3/4 of a tank but by May when I needed it next I had less than a 1/4 of a tank left! 1/2 a tankful had dissapeared! The engine oil 'sets' as well into a jelly for some reason, entailing sump removal, but that is another problem.

Cheers, Ian

dxg,

I know exactly how you feel. I had my shocks go also (leaked) and the rear brakes leaked also. For a few years I was only doing around 150-200 miles p/a and at that time the clutch and brake disks went also. Also for some reason the coolant 'exudes' out of all the gaskets after a few months resting - like crumbly crystals. New gaskets are needed then. The brake fluid was changed annually, but still the seals went in the master and slave cylinders. Even with fresh, clean coolant the radiator still exploded on a hill (AA called) when the car was first used after a long rest. Thermostat jamming possibly. No matter how carefully cars are laid up, they always seem to go wrong when started again! Also an unusual mould grows where humans have touched (even in a dry garage) on the steering wheel, gearknob and door handles after around 3-4 months, but it wipes off with disinfectant fortunately.

Ian