Going to leave my superb at the Edinburgh airport during Christmas and new year. 23 days.

The battery is the biggest concern, then the Scottish wintry weather... Any recommendations?

Here is something already in my mind:

1, Do a round trip to Glasgow during the weekend before this trip. Hope 80 miles of motorway will fully charge the battery.

2, Take out the SD card, switch head lights from "Auto" to "off".

3, Prepare enough de-icing tools, torch and a shovel in the boot.

4, Keep the car away from main routes, so the gritters won't spray salt/grit or dirty slush on my Superb.

I'm a bit hesitate to disconnect the battery, as returning flight will arrive after 10pm. Too dark (also guess how the weather is going to be) to re-connect the battery after a long-haul trip...

Thanks guys!

No point doing the round trip as the to-ing and fro-ing you do during the week will undo all that good work, maybe if you are really keen put the battery on charge overnight the night before if you have a charger.

Points 2,3 and 4 I agree with, also park the car facing into the parking bay and also find one that is facing roughly to the east, so you keep the front of the car out of the prevaling wind and hopefully another car in front of yours to protect a bit.

I wouldn't bother at all disconnecting the battery, the car should shut down all non esseential stuff if it detects battery voltage is dropping too low. You don't say how old the car is but if it is still under warranty and you have trouble starting then there is always Skoda assist.

Alternatively, leave the car at home and get a lift/public transport to airport.

Ian

Anyone have experience of the solar cell trickle chargers that either connect directly to the battery, or via the 12v point? Not sure if the 12v point is permanently live in the Skoda ...... Maybe one of these lying on the dash top would at least reduce the battery worries...

I have a 20watt one fitted to my caravan, works well but you need a controller to prevent overcharging. Also would you want one of those sat on the dashboard of your car whilst it was sat in the long term car park?

Ian

Why do you need to turn auto lights off or remove the sd card? They won't run unless the ignition is on.

You'll need the battery for your alarm. Unless it's knackered your battery should cope just fine.

Hi All,

My car is only 6 months old. So hopefully the battery will be fine. At least I'll have the Skoda Assist!

Thanks for the tips!

If you are parking very close to the flight path I would check out if the noise and vibration from jets sets off your alarm.......if its sensitive you might find there is an issue that will drain your battery.

Most of the airport car parks have booster packs and leads available if you have an issue.

Enjoy your break

Regards l

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

28 days isn't particularly long really...I left my then car (Peugeot 206) at Ferrytoll for 3-4 weeks during Christmas near the edge of the multistorey (lots of wind chill and snow) and started first time no problem at all...though the drum brakes were a bit skreechy. Guessing the Superb is much better quality than a 206 I would be very surprised if you have any problems. BTW parking at Ferrytoll is free for an unlimited time of stay...it's locked at night, cameras everywhere and only costs you a bus fare to the airport! Apart from the time when edinburgh airport closed due to snow for 3-4days two years ago (I think) and there was no bus service from Edinburgh to Ferrytoll...that cost £30 by taxi to get to my car ))

I think Ferrytoll is now limited to 7 nights?

Ray

if i were you and worried i would reverse your car into the parking bay and take a set of jump leads with me

there are always people and vehicles at all hours in the car parks so getting a jump should not be hard if needed

at worse im sure a Taxi would jump you off for £5

a new car with new battery should be ok though

above is just my opinion but a cheap set of jump leads in the boot of your car in winter can help other people out as well

Left my Octavia in long stay for one month last Dec/ Jan absolutely no problem starting.

You'll be fine. If you really wanna stress, get a VCDS and put it in 'transport mode'.

Get a taxi to the airport??

The rear and front 12volt accessory sockets are always live on these vehicles, go to Halfords and buy a 12v 4watt solar panet and put it in the rear parcel shelf, that'll put your mind at rest.. but as was mentioned before 4 weeks isnt really an issue on a battery thats less than 3 years old and in constant use with a good charge.

I used to leave my last car for 8 weeks and it was fine..

Hae a good yin matie

I would expect your car would have no problems for that period given it is only 6mths old and if you have no electrical problems currently.

Be aware, those solar charging panels can interfere with your alarm, which may be worse than having no charger at all. I haven't tested it with the SUperb, but my older with the charging panel 4WD triggers its alarm in some conditions. Found tis out the hard way by using it to charge the battery while I was away for a while. Have given up on that idea unless I can leave it unlocked and unalarmed. Like out in the outback. Annoyed the neighbours until it went fully flat. Then annoyed me trying to get it charged enough to start when I got back.

Should be fine, otherwise Skoda Assist or a jump from someone.

Cheers

powerd

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the information. I do have a pair of jump leads in the boot, bought long time ago for my previous car. The airport long stay says they are 24hrs maned, plus the Skoda Asist should not be far away.

Will do a routine check (engine oil status, other liquids, tyre pressure etc.) before I go. Also about the diesel fuel, will they have any issue sitting in winter temperature for 3 weeks? Recent two cold mornings, I had to turn the key for one or two seconds longer to start the engine.

BTW, my last three fill-ups were all ASDA city diesel.

There should be no problem with the fuel as winter diesel does have an additive to stop it crystallising at freezing temps.

Ian