Help: Car Care tips

Hi,

I have a 2003 Honda Accord. I am leaving for an overseas trip for the next 5
weeks, and wanted to get suggestions on any car care tips since I won't be
using it for this period. Some people disconnect the battery connections to
prevent it from discharging. Is this necessary? I live in Atlanta, so theres
not going to be much snow (if any at all). Please reply if you have any
suggestions.

Thanks

-hdt

 

Keep the gas tank full and the key in the ignition... where do u live again?




....................
I do not killfile nor use do-not-call lists.

 

friends cousin was drafted in the early sixties..he had a 56 chevy
convertible and put it in his mother's garage for the 2 yrs. he was in
the service.. it was a cream puff of a car back then.. when he got out
the service the tires were rotted, the canvall stop was rotted and
falling apart... the hydraulic valves were probably bad as the car after
finally getting it started sounded like the engine was ready to throw a
rod??? there was mold inside the car(the garage must have leaked???)..
the car was a junker when he came home to enjoy it.... i think he just
junked it....

 

1) Full tank of GAS and KEY in the car and tell us where is your card Just kidding.

2) Don't disconnect the battery too long. My 99 Honda Odessey battery run low due the the doom light switch left on by my my kids for two days (should it turn off after a timeout period??) so I have to jump start the car. After that the Air Bag light is on. The Dealer has to done some testing and then re-charge the Air Bag. The cost is 60$. They said the reason is the battery is low for extended period of time. I am not sure that is true or not but I am so glad that is in only 60$ job.

3) If you worry about battery run out you may want to buy a battery charger with the "Trickle Charge" (low Amps) options and charge your car while you are gone.

Again, what is your address?

--

 

My car had a bad battery after a month sitting unused. The alarm discharged the
battery and killed it.

If your car does not have after market alarm system, you might not need to
disconnect the battery. If you want to disconnect it, make sure you have the
radio code so you don't have to panic later.

 

Take the car with you! Half way above the ocean, discard it! You
shouldn't have a car to begin with, if you are asking this!

 

5 weeks is not a very long time, so the only potential problem is the
battery. Older cars would handle it without problems, newer cars have a
large number of electronic devices that are connected to the battery and
each of these devices draw small amounts of current even with the
ignition off. A certain brand of European cars, let's call it brand "V",
has problems with batteries discharging in dealer lots. Their solution
is to stick a small solar panel charger in the cars while they are
sitting on the lot.

If your Accord will be parked outside you could do the same.
http://tinyurl.com/yod5 is one unit, your local WallMart / Auto-zone /
Pep Boys etc. probably has similar devices.

Can't imagine that you would do any harm by disconnecting the battery
either. If you do, undo the negative terminal only. As others have
suggested, make sure you have the code for your stereo and be prepared
to reprogram al your radio presets etc. when you get home.

 

Five weeks isn't long for a modern car to sit around doing nothing-- since
newer cars have some electronic features running even when the car's not
running, I'd disconnect the battery, but aside from that, I'd just let
it sit.

-JDF

 

If you have the means and someone you trust have them drive it at least once
or twice a week to keep the engine up and running. Even if it's just around
the corner to the grocery store. It'll keep the engine in good shape.

gARY

 

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions.

-hdt

 

(Thomas Tran) spake unto the masses in

"Doom" light? Sounds pretty scary. Was that a dealer-installed option?

 

Amen to that!!!!!!!!!

 

I would personally just leave it like it is for 5 weeks and see if it still
starts when I get back just to "see for myself" if the battery would get
drained.

Osman

 

The Owners' Manual for my car (96 Civic) has a section on what to do if
leaving the car for an extended period of time.. i think one of the
things was to raise the car off the ground and put blocks (so the tires
wouldn't warp i guess from sitting too long) ... check your manual ..

--
-Chris

http://www.ChrisGarcia.com <- My Homepage
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