How long can megane 2 be left unused and still function?

[elchin88@hotmail.com]

I have a 1.4 megane 2 extreme (07 reg) and it has done less than 30k miles. I am soon going away for 4 weeks. Anyone knows how long can the car be left unused and still function? Is 4 weeks too long for the car? Any help or previous experience shared appreciated. Thanks.

[MéganeDynamique]

All depends on the condition of the battery. Mine was left while I was in Hong Kong for 4 weeks, came back and it started fine. But I was just in England for two and a half weeks, came back and it needed jump started...

[ispellcorrectly]

Most enthusiasts keep their battery on charge while away, if you leave it too long, it can sulphate, which means the acid turns into a type of heavy white powder, if this happens the battery is useless... sometimes you might get it give you some life, but it's lifeline is very short there after.

Also, I believe jump starting the battery can damage the engine?

[joeishmather]

Hi, you'll be fine you just have to look at used cars in garages they can be on the forcourt for months and still be fine. But as said previously it's the battery what will let you down not the car, if I were you I'd buy a slow/trickle charger for the battey and leave it on while your away, will be fine and you won have any problems that way, there only about £20 well worth it imo.

Cheers, Joe

[moon_monkie]

Is it worth disconnecting the battery or is this likely to cause more problems?

[elchin88@hotmail.com]

Thank you all... I will probably disconnect the battery and try to look for the radio code later...

[joeishmather]

There are various radio code calculators on the net, that shouldn't be a problem...

[davelowe]

Obviously, you can't lock the car with the battery disconnected. So, make sure you remove all items from the car and don't leave any of the key cards in the house.

Best bet in my opinion is to remove the battery and ask a friend/relative/neighbour to trickle charge it for a couple of hours each week. Either that, or remove the battery from the car and store it somewhere warm. It will therefore have a higher working current when you come to re-install it.

[joeishmather]

Can the car be locked manualy by key when the battery is removed?

[Victor Meldrew]

Obviously, you can't lock the car with the battery disconnected. So, make sure you remove all items from the car and don't leave any of the key cards in the house.

Best bet in my opinion is to remove the battery and ask a friend/relative/neighbour to trickle charge it for a couple of hours each week. Either that, or remove the battery from the car and store it somewhere warm. It will therefore have a higher working current when you come to re-install it.

I'm with the solar trickle charger
Dirt cheap , simply stick solar panel in windscreen and plug in cigar lighter . Job Done , will charge on the dullest day

John Wilkinson

[AlexB]

Four weeks should be fine. If the battery is failing, then it may self discharge, of course. in this case just open the car with the key and replace the bugger (the next day delivery directly from Bosch). IMHO, there is no need in modifying the car when it comes to functions for which it was designed.

The battery can discharge over four weeks only is its self discharge current plus the standby current exceed 50mA. The solar panel will not provide the matching average current in the UK winter. Small panels give about 100mA in full sunlight, 10-20mA on a cloudy day and zero at night. The lighter socket is disconnected when in standby, so connecting the solar battery is slightly more complex than it seems.