Apart from switching everything off manually,and not setting the handbrake.Is there anything else to consider( e.g. the battery losing it's charge?), before leaving "harvey" longterm in a Hotel carpark for 3 weeks?....

Edited 2 January, 201115 yr by bilun777

If you discharge the battery yourself (How??) you would leave the car with NO security as the alarm would not work, plus you would then have to recode things like the radio when you return.

Just leave it with the hand brake partly on. Don't park it under any trees or where birds can "drop" on to it.

Apart from switching everything off manually,and not setting the handbrake.Is there anything else to consider( e.g. discharging the battery), before leaving "harvey" longterm in a Hotel carpark for 3 weeks?....

I left mine for 7 weeks over the summer without experiencing any difficulties when I retrieved it. I even left the handbrake on - well it was facing a canal basin without railings and could have been pushed in if some little darlings got it into their heads to cause trouble. I'm going to do the same this summer, in a more secure place, but I might invest in a car cover to keep the dirt, birdlime, sunlight (HA!) etc off.

Stewart

I'd go for no handbrake (if on level ground) but in gear. It will be fine.

You'll be fine. Dont leave it in gear, chock the rear wheels and leave the handbreak off. (obv on level ground).

I left my old GTi-6 off the road for 4 months without starting it while i was waiting for the suspension to be built and delivered.

sorry for being so dull - but why do you leave the handbrake off ?

I'd go for no handbrake (if on level ground) but in gear. It will be fine.

To stop it sticking on.

Set the air-con to recirculation before switching off the engine, then close all vents.

This will minimise the risk of the alarm going off because of wind etc (which will flatten your battery, and really irritate everyone else!).

Then float off to somewhere warm with lots of daylight, and dream about the car you'd really like to be driving.........

........ the Yeti will be a great pleasure on your return!

"Floating off"....You quessed! :sun:

You'll be fine. Dont leave it in gear, chock the rear wheels and leave the handbreak off. (obv on level ground).

I left my old GTi-6 off the road for 4 months without starting it while i was waiting for the suspension to be built and delivered.

If you have driven some distance on dry roads to the car park, you will probably be OK leaving the handbrake on, as the brakes should be warm enough to evaporate any moisture within the calipers and stop them sticking.

However, I would normally agree with CJB; leave it in 1st gear (assuming it's a manual - I have no experience of the DSG box, so can't comment on that) with the handbrake off, but only if you can find level ground to park on. You must either leave the car in 1st gear, OR apply the handbrake. Don't park without at least one method of preventing the car from moving.

I wouldn't recommend chocking wheels if you are in a public car park, as this will draw attention to the fact that the handbrake hasn't been applied. If you have to park in a bay with a kerb or wall at one end, reverse into the space, so that in the unlikely event that the battery wont start the car upon your return, the nice man from the AA or RAC can easily get to the front of your car to start it from his battery pack.

Setting the heater to re-circulating and closing all interior air vents before turning off the ignition should reduce the risk of draughts in the car setting off the alarm.

If parking at an Airport close to where aircraft are taking off (though I understand that you are not on this occasion), or more especially if you are ever on a ferry or car carrier train, press the switch alongside the driver's seat on the B pillar before you lock the car & this will disable the car's movement sensors and hopefully prevent false alarms (& save your battery).

And I know it's basic - make sure all windows really are shut, you'd be surprised how many people don't !

Edited 3 January, 201115 yr by speedsport

Avoid a discharged battery with a solar battery conditioner such as :-

http://www.ecofreak.co.uk/products/23/197/Sunsei-SE170-Solar-Trickle-Charger.html

I left mine for 4 weeks at newcastle airport ......................left it in 1st gear and handbrake just on and no more .................when i got back she started first go ..nowt to worry about...

Just returned home. No problems at all with lack of "volts" after 3 weeks .However ,I'm glad I left the handbrake off . The discs were red with rust,and both the front brakes "twanged"as We drove off.The pads were stuck to the discs.Hardly surprising I suppose after the previous 6 weeks of snow ,ice,and salt. All the discs look scored now, and I had to do some hard braking to clean them up.All this and only 2000 miles from new. :S ( We averaged 37.7 mpg at motorway speeds....41mpg on the maxidot / there was a headwind both ways though,so not too bad.)