Been camping at the weekend and this morning when i started the car after the boot been open for around 2 hours loading it all back up, (combi) i got a low battery warning on start up.  (Engine turned over fine so there was enough CCA available.)

 

While I notice the boot lights come on when its open, i didn't notice if the lights turn off after x amount of time or if the interior lights also come one?

 

While its understandable why the battery would drain, i didn't expect after 2 hours or so it would be enough discharge to trigger a warning.

 

Anyone else had this message ?

Do these cars have an 'awake' mode which keeping the boot open might cause? It could be that a number of systems are all kept on.

I would have expected the lights to have gone out in less than two hours and they shouldn't be drawing enough power to kill the vehicle battery.

Assuming it's just the 2 bulbs as in ours and nothing else is going, that's 10W (5W per bulb)

Lets assume battery voltage at 12.4Vdc that will give a current draw of 0.78Ah, that's 1.56A over 2 hours.

So yes this could do it (remember it just gave you a warning).

This is called parasitic current.

An interior light (5W) left on overnight even on a good battery can flatten your battery overnight to the point that the car won't start.

Believe me I know....I have got a great family that has managed to do this on multiple occasions and has cost me three perfectly good batteries over the years.

Edited 15 August, 20169 yr by Alf01

Thinking a bit more into this.. as the car didn't move this weekend, it will of also had 2 hours plus of the boot open while unpacking too when we arrived.

 

However, one would expect all modules to shut down after say 20 mins and any door lights to go off auto once thw modules shutdown to self protect the battery / re-enable the the interior lights if the boot is opened/closed again like BMW do.

 

just something to be aware really i guess

 

I guess if you lived on a road with a speed limiter greater than 30mph, you will soon have a flat battery if using the parking light feature.

Well there's a thing. I read this thread earlier today. Believe it or not I then managed to leave my boot open this afternoon. I blame Rick for putting the thought in my head    But then I am old and easily distracted as well!

 

Anyway, it was open for at least 4 hours and when I realised my heart sank. Didn't need to worry though. No interior lights on and no warnings on start up. So I guess the system must shut off the interior lights at least. As you say that would be expected.

 

Did you have anything plugged into the 12v ?

Can I double check?

Is the light normally come on when you open the boot in the afternoon with engine off? how about with the engine turn on?

note: no superb yet but I think my previous car is turn on. I can't remember.

 

I am thinking to get this mega power led cargo combi trunk.

http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/SUPERB-III/Superb-III-Combi-MEGA-POWER-LED-cargo-trunk-light-KI-R

 

If the light is turn on in the afternoon without the engine on then it might drain the battery more when loading stuffs. I will be worry as well when I go to camping and loading stuffs.

 

edit: if the engine off and the light is turn on in the afternoon, is it possible to turn this light off? if it is, how?

Edited 16 August, 20169 yr by bego9

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't have anything else plugged into the 12v once the car was parked. (i did have a 12v coolbox plugged in for the journey which was in the front footwell bit I unplugged this as soon as we arrived as it contained beer which was needed while we planned were the tents were to go ????????... Plus didn't get the warning when I moved the car on Sat off the pitch to the Side where it was then left.

Good to known the lights go off though after x amount of time so thanks for testing that one ????

Edited 16 August, 20169 yr by RickTT