Hi. I'm likely to have to leave car standing for a month or so. Would turning the engine onto idling for a few mins now and then charge the alternator or does it a need proper road run please? (1.4 8V Fabia.) I have a domestic charger, but have no idea how fast a battery might drain. I seem to recall it's not good if a battery discharges fully.

Many thanks

Mo

1. If you start the engine its best to run it up to running temp otherwise next time you attempt to start it it will flood. We get loads of calls for this all the time.

2. If you are going to keep your battery on charge, disconnect it from the car unless you are using an optimate type charger that is designed to be used while the battery is still connected and wont harm the vehicle electrics.

3. If possible and safe to do so (leaving the car in a garage) leave the handbrake off, this will prevent the linings from sticking to the drums/discs.

4. Make sure you tell it you love it before you go and buy it a nice present when you return.

Remove the battery for the time left unused.

Hi both

I can sort out a plan of action now knowing what I can do

The manual says not to take the battery out of this car (1.4 8V) BTW, unless expert, as can upset things. I can arrange for someone to run it or charge it for me periodically though (which would involve moving it a few feet, so avoiding sticking also). Me happy.

Thank you

Mo

you can also buy one of those "solar chargers"... they just plug into your cig socket, and keep a little trickle charge going into the system... they work very well apparently

Pump the tyres up to about 10 psi over the recommended pressure, leave the car in gear with the handbrake off and disconnect the battery negative terminal. When you re-comission the car, remember to adjust your tyre pressures accordingly.

Pump the tyres up to about 10 psi over the recommended pressure, leave the car in gear with the handbrake off and disconnect the battery negative terminal. When you re-comission the car, remember to adjust your tyre pressures accordingly.

That sounds like an easy, no hassle idea. If it's not a stupid question, would I be right to think that the over inflation would make the tyres taller and thinner, so further away from the disks? Not sure otherwise... Ta

The trickling solar charger looks good also - if they work without needing to be in bright sunshine. A quick Google reckons c.£30 for a basic one. Not sure I have time to get one, but a handy tip for next time

Mo

over inflating the tyres removes the deformation in the sidewalls, which will stop the tyres having issues having been left for a long period in the same position.

I left my old octavia for 4-5 weeks all the time during winter without disconnecting anything, and it was fine.

I'm all for easy and no hassle. Inflating the tyres will help them to maintain their shape and not develop flat spots where they are in contact with the ground. This is probably not strictly necessary for the relatively short time that the car is going to be standing for, but you wouldn't want to have it standing on possibly under inflated tyres.

and the trickle chargers don't need bright sunlight

and agreed with the tyres and handbrake... my handbrake will have the pads sticking to the discs if I leave it for more than three days... would want them to sieze!

Gosh! Lots of handy tips :boing: I got it wrong on a similar previous occasion (though admittedly for about 3 months) hence being scaredy cat this time. I should think loads of peeps wished they'd known some of these things...

Mo

With the solar trickle chargers you have to be certain that the cig lighter socket is connected/on without the key in the ignition. Or connect wires directly to the battery. They more sort of combat the drain on the battery from clocks and ECU etc than charge it.

Here's a cheap one at Maplin Maplin > Solar-Powered 12V 1.5W Battery Trickle Charger

One month? Just leave it there. It'll probably still start after that. Cars and batteries vary enormously, I've known some start after 6 months standing.

ive just returned from overseas after leaving my car in a garage for 4 months without doing anything to it. after checking all the levels and for any leaks i jumped in turned the key and it startd first time,

now on tuesday i have to go away again for 8 weeks hope it will start when i get back.

as said its only a month Mo so i wouldn't really be worried about it. just park it up and leave it.

personally i wouldn't even worry about the brakes, just park it like any other day and see what happens. the worst that will happen is the brakes stick on a bit and go pop when they release.

Hi all,

I find myself in the same situation - i.e. having to do 'Skodabandonment" for about 3 months.

Does anyone know if a trickle charger would work on a new model Octavia (Sport) through the lighter socket with ignition off?

Thx.

Just disconnect the battery if your worried.

I've left my Ibiza and A3 for 3 weeks at an airport and they were fine.

Maplin used to do the solar chargers at a decent price.

Worth a look??

Cheers

Should be fine.

Most car alarms these days have their own battery which can support it in a passive state for a long time. Only issue is if the alarm gets triggered.

4 weeks is nothing. Park it and forget.

Thanks for responses but can someone answer my question please?

Would a trickle charger connect through to the battery with ignition off in an new model Octavia (Sport)? i.e. does the ignition break the connection and/or is there a reverse-current prevention diode in the circuit?

If I hadn't lent my multimeter to a mate(!) I could check for myself of course!

Thanks for responses but can someone answer my question please?

Would a trickle charger connect through to the battery with ignition off in an new model Octavia (Sport)? i.e. does the ignition break the connection and/or is there a reverse-current prevention diode in the circuit?

I doubt there's a diode. How about trying a phone charger or similar with the ignition off?

Most VAG cars do not switch the fag lighter socket.

My Skodas cig lighter socket works with the ignition on or off

My sisters Micra needs the ignition on for the socket to switch on.

But you should be OK leaving the car provided you don't leave any lights on or the radio.