Leaving A Car Unused For Extended Periods

[jimscott]

Hi ,

I have just taken delivery of a 2006 GS450h SE-L and it is fantastic. I am working my way through the manual and "moving in" to the car. The dealer I bought it from is not a specialist but did say that he was aware of a switch or button that could be used to preserve the 12 volt Battery if the car was to be left standing for any length of time - at an airport for 2 -3 weeks for example. He did not know where it was!

I can't see any reference to it in the manual and wondered if anyone know what he meant.

Thanks for you help

Jim

[Zotto]

How long will you leave the car unused? I remember that in user manual they recommend to start the car at least one time a month for some minutes to avoid troubles for batteries, if you only have 2-3 weeks there should be not problems.

[jimscott]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. It will be left for up to 2 weeks unused and outside a few times a year in all seasons and the longest will be 3 weeks.

[coneybiller]

I have left mine at the airport car park for 2 weeks, almost half expecting it to not start when we got back. Got in, hit the button and she didn't even blink. vrooom straight into life :) They seem pretty good Battery wise to be honest! No problems with mine over the last 2 years or so (touches wood rapidly)

[PeterS]

I have often left mine for 2 weeks and the longest has been 4 weeks. Always started straight away.

Now that's tempting fate...

[mick4545]

This is something I worry about. I used to carry an emergency starter that connected through the car cig lighter socket until I found out the socket was not live until the ignition was on. So no use in a flat Battery scenario.

I now have a solar panel trickle charger that connects via the OBD2 socket, and use it if the car is to be left for more than a week.