So, I’m off on holiday for a week and need to leave the car in the long stay car park. The battery randomly goes flat, sometimes I can leave it a week and it’s fine, other times and it will only last a day or two. I’ve not got the time to invest at the moment so I’m thinking about disconnecting the battery but has anyone disconnected the battery and locked the car manually?

I’m hoping I can disconnect the batt, lock the 3 doors from the inside and then close the passenger and lock with the key blade. Has anyone tried this? 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

I know I'm comparing apples to oranges, but that's exactly what my BMW was doing, even after I changed the battery .. right up until I did the "battery registration" dance in the diagnostics. I didn't believe it could make a difference but .. now it can sit for 2-3 weeks without use and still fire up first time on the button.

I think the RRS has the same kind of battery management gubbins? 2014 BMW 530d Touring, 2006 BMW 650i, 2018 Mini Cooper S

Cheap solar panel off of Ebay?

Tim posted instructions on a simple way to wire it in. 2023 P440e SE Dynamic on order -cancelled

2022 HSE Dynamic P400e

2017 Discovery 3.0 HSE Silicon Silver Nimbus interior and a few extra toys SOLD

2013 HSE Black, Orkney Grey, Ebony Seats and Ivory Interior SOLD

2006 HSE

Plus a few other cars inbetween!

I keep one of those small jump starters in the boot tool tray now for situations such as this. It saves carrying around a set of jump leads and you don't need to flag down another car when you're stuck. If your battery is flat when you return, just open manually, pop the jump starter on and fire her up.

I think your method should also be fine. Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Thanks chaps, I’ve been looking at the small power packs which look very handy but no one can get me one until I’ve left lol. 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

I have one of those VHS-sized jump packs, too; very handy and started an absolutely flat Hummer H2 at Le Mans a couple of years ago! If you are driving past here, you're welcome to borrow it for the duration. 2014 BMW 530d Touring, 2006 BMW 650i, 2018 Mini Cooper S

knwatkins wrote:

I keep one of those small jump starters in the boot tool tray now for situations such as this. It saves carrying around a set of jump leads and you don't need to flag down another car when you're stuck. If your battery is flat when you return, just open manually, pop the jump starter on and fire her up.

I think your method should also be fine.

Yes. To test it, I drained my battery down (bad for the battery, I know) and it started the TDV6 with no problem.

Mine is 1500Amp peak current, 20000mAh capacity and cost £62.99 when it was on offer. It was branded 'Yaber' which I don't think is available any longer, but it looks exactly the same as this one....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N4P8529/ref...xDbT3KAKRD Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Wd40 you key barrel

Disconnecting battery sounds like a good way forward.

Use Graphite Powder Lock Lubricant instead IMO

Problem solved. Taking the wife’s car and leaving mine on the trickle charger.

I’d rather leave her car at the airport!! 2019 5.0 SC SVA (Current)
2012 5.0 SC AB. Sadly written off by a campervan
23 plate Focus ST (Current)
1942 VEP Ford GPW Jeep (Willys) (Current)
1943 Whites M16 Halftrack (Current)
16 plate Eurofighter Typhoon, 2 x Eurojet engines with 20,000lbs thrust each. 1380mph

Good choice  Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Brit Plumber wrote:

Problem solved. Taking the wife’s car and leaving mine on the trickle charger.

I’d rather leave her car at the airport!!

That's one way of fixing the problem.. I always have "the fear" leaving the car at the airport, too; I always use the on-site car parks owned by Heathrow rather than off-site or any option where you have to leave them the keys, because I don't want my car used as a minicab while I'm away, but I still wonder if it'll still be there when I get back.. 2014 BMW 530d Touring, 2006 BMW 650i, 2018 Mini Cooper S

Living approx 70 - 80 miles from both Gatwick and Heathrow, we always take a taxi (a trustworthy one man band private hire airport specialist). Costs approx £90 each way which may be more than the parking costs but by the time we include petrol we reckon it is worth it as the holiday starts when we lock the front door and end when we unlock it a week or two later, we know the cars are safer at home and with the Brucie bonus of no drink drive worries on the plane home. MY17 RRS 4.4d V8 Autobiography - Aintree Green (also referred to on Topix as British Racing Green)

I could leave mine in Spain for 4 or 5 weeks, but always left it in access mode. Standard JLR AGM battery. In Spain - 2018 F Pace - Frightened away from the Sports due to crank failures
Gone - A couple of RRS, A couple of Disco's. However thinking of another Sport.