Travelling...should I disconnect the battery?

PHML · 04-27-2012, 03:33 PM

Hey gang...Im going on a biz trip for over a week. Should I disconnect the battery? I don't want to come home to find a dead battery. Any harm to the ECU or resetting issue is I do disconnect the battery?

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jvc300 · 04-27-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHML

Hey gang...Im going on a biz trip for over a week. Should I disconnect the battery? I don't want to come home to find a dead battery. Any harm to the ECU or resetting issue is I do disconnect the battery?

I leave every week and sometimes two weeks at a time with no issues.

BenzV12 · 04-27-2012, 05:12 PM

If your battery is new there should be no problem .
For extended periods , some guys recommend battery conditioners

dsayed · 04-27-2012, 05:27 PM

For a week no. For 6 months: maybe.

BM2BZ · 04-27-2012, 06:31 PM

how about three weeks

? i'm planning to go on a trip this summer for three weeks. i have never done it for all my cars before and didn't have any problem but wanted to know if disconnect is the way to go

.

K-A · 04-27-2012, 06:51 PM

Anything less than a couple of months at minimum and you shouldn't do anything but lock the doors and preferably leave a clean car (for piece of mind than nothing else).

dsayed · 04-27-2012, 07:07 PM

All modern cars discharge due to the various systems that are sitting there listening for things (e.g. remote sensors for the doors, alarm, etc.) Normally this rate of discharge shouldn't be enough to be a worry because once you drive the alternator will recharge the battery. However, if the car isn't being used for several months, the battery could be drained to such a level that it will not start the engine. This is why you often see trickle or solar charged used at dealers.
The amount of time for a battery to discharge will depend on many variables including the health of the battery.

RNBRAD · 04-27-2012, 07:10 PM

One thing to not is our cars do noit use a small battery. These things are beasts and really should be good for months without a problem. I know my W211 has sit for over a month and never an issue.

Arrie · 04-27-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHML

Hey gang...Im going on a biz trip for over a week. Should I disconnect the battery? I don't want to come home to find a dead battery. Any harm to the ECU or resetting issue is I do disconnect the battery?

One week is nothing. I leave my car for a week at least twice a month. Never start issues. Has left for two weeks, no problems. Left my E350 for three weeks twice and no problems to start it.

I would absolutely not disconnect the battery. That could result in problems.

04-27-2012, 05:12 PM	#3
BenzV12 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,467 Drives: 2012 W212 E250,2014 C117 CLA45 on horizon	If your battery is new there should be no problem . For extended periods , some guys recommend battery conditioners __________________ *Colleen Riley is the best female vocalist* 1 thing 2 say 3 Days Grace 4 ever Eicoot Quit The Job Alex De Souza Is A Legend

04-27-2012, 06:51 PM	#6
K-A MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 8,720 Drives: '13 BMW 535i M Sport / Ex M-B's: '11 & '10 & '06 E350's, '02 S500	Anything less than a couple of months at minimum and you shouldn't do anything but lock the doors and preferably leave a clean car (for piece of mind than nothing else). __________________ '13 F10 BMW 535i ///M Sport : Jet Black/Black-Anthracite : Premium & Technology Packages/Sport Auto Trans/Camera/Park Distance Control/Heated Seats/Tinted Windows/Blacked Out Markers/Performance Spoiler. Ex M-B's: '11/'10/'06 E350's w/ AMG Sport Package, '02 S500 w/ Every Option.

04-27-2012, 07:10 PM	#8
RNBRAD Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 653 Drives: W211 E320 & W212 E550	One thing to not is our cars do noit use a small battery. These things are beasts and really should be good for months without a problem. I know my W211 has sit for over a month and never an issue. __________________

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04-27-2012, 05:27 PM	#4
dsayed Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: PNW Posts: 276 Drives: 2010 E550 coupe	For a week no. For 6 months: maybe.

04-27-2012, 06:31 PM	#5
BM2BZ MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Paradise Posts: 2,106 Drives: w212 E550	how about three weeks ? i'm planning to go on a trip this summer for three weeks. i have never done it for all my cars before and didn't have any problem but wanted to know if disconnect is the way to go .

04-27-2012, 07:07 PM	#7
dsayed Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: PNW Posts: 276 Drives: 2010 E550 coupe	All modern cars discharge due to the various systems that are sitting there listening for things (e.g. remote sensors for the doors, alarm, etc.) Normally this rate of discharge shouldn't be enough to be a worry because once you drive the alternator will recharge the battery. However, if the car isn't being used for several months, the battery could be drained to such a level that it will not start the engine. This is why you often see trickle or solar charged used at dealers. The amount of time for a battery to discharge will depend on many variables including the health of the battery.

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04-27-2012, 09:29 PM