By mistake, I left my key in the ignition when I went into house. My neighbour noticed the parking lamps were on and called me. I went to the car but the car would not start. All the light came on and the analog clock in the instrumental cluster turned back and forth and finally settled to the proper time.

I hooked up my battery charger and after a few minutes, I was able to start my car. I put the car inside my garage and I am charging the battery now.

My question is l left the car in the ignition for only 1.5 - 2 hours. Was this enough time to drain the battery? If my battery is weak, I should think of getting a new one before the winter.

 

I'd say thats normal, 1.5-2 hours does not qualify to be given the word "only" thats a lot on battery power!

 

Really? The parking lamps (5W) would take a lot of battery power? Are there any other electrical components which would drain the battery?

Same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I left the key in the ignition for a whole day and the battery was completely drained.

 

It depends on the battery you have and how old it is. I have run the headunit with music blasting for over an hour while I was installing stuff without issues. Just have the battery tested if you're having doubts.

 

Ya, I've also run my music for many hours while doing work on the car without issues. I think the question here is whether the key was turned to position 1 or 2. If 2 I think a bunch of other stuff is also running under the hood. On this topic I'm still running the original battery in my 07' Maybe it will last another year, maybe not

 

techsuperstar hit the spot. on "2" all your electric components turn on. Thats what runs down your battery. how old is it anyway?

 

If I recall correctly, this is my 2nd battery and it's 4-5 years old.

 

I'd say your battery has lived its life, but i've seen good quality batteries live for more then 5 years thats for sure. have its voltage checked, if its good then just keep running on it.

 

I recall I went to a store referred by a MB technician. It was a no-name battery of less than $100. The store was a dump with maybe a few hundred batteries inside. I am surprised that this battery lasted this long.

 

Genuine MBZ batteries (made by Varta) used to last a long time - at least 5 years, and often 6 or 7 years. But the last few I've had have not fared so well. My last MBZ batter lasted 3.5 years. So, I have decided to switch brands. I now buy the Advance Auto "Platinum". It's an AGM battery and has a full 100% non-prorated 4-year replacement warranty.

 

I only found out about AGM battery after I replaced my battery. Based on the price I paid, I am pretty sure it is not an AGM. This is why I am surprised it lasted this long.

 

I just changed out my battery this weekend.

Turned out it was original OEM Varta and only lasted 10.5 years

Ten and a half years !!!!

cheap-assed german rubbish obviously

 

Like I said, the OEM VARTA batteries used to last - the ones I've had installed in the last 6-7 years have not.

 

Ok.. its been a year since my post on this subject, my battery is now 10 years old and I need a new one.... Rudeney (if your still around the 209 forums) the Advance Platinum battery you recommended, is it an "Autocraft" battery? because that's all I see on their site.

Couple other questions: I'm not planning on keeping the car past another 2 years so I'm really considering a Sears Die Hard battery that's $50 less.

Should I be concerned putting an AGM battery in the car because they vent? Note: the cabin intake filter sits right about the battery in our cars.

 

I'm still here! Yeah, it's the Autocraft Platinum:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/a...920%7CL2*15000

As for the vent, you current battery has a vent. They all do. When replacing it, just make sure the tube goes down through the hole in the battery tray, along side the water collector drain. At some point, my battery was replaced and the tube got pulled out and dripped acid onto the tray.

 

I recently switched from the Varta to this battery also.

 

The OP lives in Canada where it gets very cold in the winter and which considerably affects battery life as well.

Stay warm gents! Still rocking 27c here in Lebanon!

 

I think I lucked out. I paid less than $100CAN for my no-name battery and it is still going strong after 6 years.

 

As a follow up, I finally changed the battery last week.

I made the same mistake again and left the key in ignition last week. It was like 30-40 minutes and I could not start the car afterward.

I went to the same battery store and replaced the battery. They pulled the old battery and it was installed 7 years ago. Not bad for less than $100CAN.

They put in a AGM batttery for $140 CAN. I think it is a JCL battery. The battery was completely sealed with no vent hole. The guy gave me the vent tube from the old battery,