CeeJay Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I shall be popping (ha ha) across to New Zealand for Jan and Feb so the trusty Kangoo will have to stay in the garage unattended. I would welcome advice on what steps it would be prudent to take beforehand.For example, do I need to disconnect the battery and/or keep it on trickle charge, is there really any need to jack up the axles to alieviate tyre flat spots?Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Lucky b.ugger ! (damn stupid software !!!)Two months is nowhere near enough to be worrying about flat spotting tyres, or much else really.What with immobilisers etc. though the battery will probably not survive that but rather than mess about with trickle chargers I'd just disconnect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Can recommend an Optimate 6 battery charger. This will condition the battery etc. Not cheap but keeps the caravan battery in tip top condition for its very occasional use.Shall be buying another for the wifes car which spends 6 months of the year in the garage when we are in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vette Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I wouldn't chance using a normal charger for more than a day or two. You need a smart charger as per the previous post.The one I use for mine is a Ctek. They are used by Bentley, Aston Martin, etc.Here's a link for you; http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/You can find them on Ebay and Amazon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 You could buy a new battery for what some of those Ctek chargers cost ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 When we go to France for longer than 2 months at a time my wife's car left on the drive sometimes starts sometimes just needs a jump start as the alarm and clock is what drains it .. I would not worry about it for just a couple of months . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeJay Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 OK, thanks all for the advice, I will probably in the light of comments made just disconnect the battery. AnOther you really must get that software sorted!!!!!As an aside I have just come across a web site called Cornish Pasties n.z. Husband and wife left Cornwall few years back and set up a Cornish Pasty making shop and bakery in Cambridge, New Zealand, which is very near where I am going. I am going to be in heaven for 2 months.Just had a thought.....wonder if they call them cornish pasties being a protected species and all!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Ernie wrote 'You could buy a new battery for what some of those Ctek chargers cost !'Yes, but then the new battery will fail whilst you will still have the smart charger and because of the functions it carries out the battery will probably have an extended life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 A few years ago we did a 2 month trip from mid-December to mid-February to Australia and New Zealand and just left the cars on the drive as they were. The Porsche and the Saab both needed their batteries charging, as their alarms used up the batteries. My Polo had no such refinements and started immediately.Similarly, when we're in France for up to 2 months at a time, our current cars, a newer Polo and a Toyota hybrid, are left as they are either in England on the drive or in France in the garage at all times of the year and both have always started first time.Hope you have as great a trip as we did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 We bought one of those cheap combined car battery booster/electric tyre pumps, probably from Aldi. Great investment as, like the insurance value of taking an umbrella with you, it basically guaranteed that we never needed to use it on our own car. Used it on those of plenty of our French neighbours though ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyaudeman Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Some of the batteries I have had lasted 10 years no chance a fancy charger could have extended their life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 it also worries me !------------[url=http://www.coquegalaxyalpha.com/category-etui-samsung-galaxy-alpha-30.html][color=#8e8e97]étui samsung galaxy alpha[/color][/url][url=http://www.coquegalaxyalpha.com/category-coque-samsung-galaxy-alpha-29.html][color=#8e8e97]coque samsung galaxy alpha[/color][/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Grocer Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 I know the thread is old, but I believe it worthwhile to add for people who may read it...When leaving your car for an extended period (if manual gearbox), always hold the clutch down (piece of wood jammed etc) to release it from the flywheel. This ensures it will not rust onto the flywheel. Chock the wheels and leave the handbrake off. Again to assist the brake discs not rusting onto the drum / rotas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 You'd be unfortunate in the extreme to suffer a seized clutch or brakes after a mere two months and if you chocked the wheels in a public car park, such as at an airport, what would you reckon the chances are of them still being there when you came back ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Ooooh, that wasn't very welcoming to a new poster, AnO! The OP did say the car would be left in a garage...Welcome, Grocer, and thanks for the useful advice.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Yes, forgetting my manners Angela, welcome Grocer [B]My reply stands though, sorry [kiss] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Grocer Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Thank you....& no offence taken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeJay Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 Well, can't really think why this has been bumped up but just to let everyone know that because we enjoyed it so much last time round we are off again next week to NZ for a couple of months!!!!!! (Sorry if I've picqued anyone, ha,ha)Also, as we are on Tempo electricity tarif we could also miss all the red days!!!Last time I just disconnected the battery and on return the trusty old Kangoo started first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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