I'm away to USA for 5 weeks
I'll lock my car in our garage.
Would leaving my car "unlocked" prevent battery drain.
I'm aware locking it and activating the alarm would.
My car will be in a secure garage with three other vehicles blocking the door
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers Mike
Toyota Rav 4 hybrid (not phev)
I'll lock my car in our garage.
Would leaving my car "unlocked" prevent battery drain.
I'm aware locking it and activating the alarm would.
My car will be in a secure garage with three other vehicles blocking the door
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers Mike
Toyota Rav 4 hybrid (not phev)
In reply to Post #1
In the old days I would have Disconnected it.
But as everything has a memory you will have to re enter codes etc
In the old days I would have Disconnected it.
But as everything has a memory you will have to re enter codes etc
In reply to Post #1
I wouldn't think keeping the door locked would drain the battery.
Once it's locked it wouldn't need power to keep it lock, the only time you'd need power is to unlock it and that only takes a second.
As for the alarm I wouldn't think that would take much power, just a few milliamps burst every minute or so.
Over the course of 5 weeks I would've thought your battery whether it connected or disconnected would naturally discharge a little.
I don't know the above for certain but that's my thinking
I wouldn't think keeping the door locked would drain the battery.
Once it's locked it wouldn't need power to keep it lock, the only time you'd need power is to unlock it and that only takes a second.
As for the alarm I wouldn't think that would take much power, just a few milliamps burst every minute or so.
Over the course of 5 weeks I would've thought your battery whether it connected or disconnected would naturally discharge a little.
I don't know the above for certain but that's my thinking
In reply to Post #1
Just buy a cheap maintenance charger, no issues then
Just buy a cheap maintenance charger, no issues then
In reply to Post #1
It will be ok assuming the battery is fine.
Just leave it locked and I wouldn't bother with trickle chargers they are only supposed to be left on a few days else you'll end up knackering the battery.
It will be ok assuming the battery is fine.
Just leave it locked and I wouldn't bother with trickle chargers they are only supposed to be left on a few days else you'll end up knackering the battery.
In reply to Post #5
Nah not at all, a few weeks is fine.
Nah not at all, a few weeks is fine.
Personally I'd contact your local Toyota dealer and ask if disconnecting the battery is o.k, I can't see any issues.
I'd also say the age of the battery and how good in condition it is will make all the difference to your question, and how charged it is on putting to sleep.
About 18 months ago I had exactly the same issue but due to health and repeated bouts of leaving the car unused. I made a effort to make sure it was driven well to top up the battery every 4 weeks. I left the car both locked and unlocked, made no difference. 1st time was locked, started begrudgingly, second time unlocked, again started begrudgingly, 3rd time would not start but enough to try and turn it over (clicking) so any electrical systems were fine. From then on I put it on charge for a while after every time and had no issues (obviously). I would have put it on a trickle charger had it not been for it not being in a 'protected' environment, never had any issues with one storing motorbikes over winter!
I'd also say the age of the battery and how good in condition it is will make all the difference to your question, and how charged it is on putting to sleep.
About 18 months ago I had exactly the same issue but due to health and repeated bouts of leaving the car unused. I made a effort to make sure it was driven well to top up the battery every 4 weeks. I left the car both locked and unlocked, made no difference. 1st time was locked, started begrudgingly, second time unlocked, again started begrudgingly, 3rd time would not start but enough to try and turn it over (clicking) so any electrical systems were fine. From then on I put it on charge for a while after every time and had no issues (obviously). I would have put it on a trickle charger had it not been for it not being in a 'protected' environment, never had any issues with one storing motorbikes over winter!