How long can I leave a C5?

[Northern_Mike]

If you're talking about using it once a week, there are millions of cars in the UK that are used at weekends only, and millions more that are used much less. My old neighbour goes out in her Micra about three times a year, and it sits outside as she ain't got a garage. Sorry, but I just don't understand all the sudden worry.

I don't either. Modern batteries last absolutely ages, and take all sorts of punishment. The one I replaced on my Focus was it's original 12 year old unit, and I only replaced it because Mrs Northern_Mike deaded it totally. I always replace once that's happened. My Xantia SX TD estate got a new one after we went on holiday and left the lights on... again, that was nearly 13 years old. I think I might put the hefty C5 battery on the Berlingo before it scraps..

[Stempy]

I'll probably open it up next week and find it full of condensated water.....

[taffy]

no harm in keeping a jump pack in the boot...peace of mind and no drain atall

[taffy]

no harm in keeping a jump pack in the boot...peace of mind
one thing ive learned about the alternators on theses cars is they are very good!
when i lived in my car on the job ive had three extra batterys linked up in the boot to power my tv,cctv,ps2,freeview,etc straight live from the battery (amp wiring kit) to the live off the first battery then to the next and linked the earths and last live to my amp and seperate 12v suppy for radio and other 12v accileries...next time i get a chance of a half tidy bat again i think i will link it up in the boot cause they used to start first turn without fail!

[philthyD]

I have just baugt a C5 2 weeks ago and I've already covered 500+ miles, and prior to me buying it, it sat for 2 years on a driveway without a battery.

started first turn after locking and unlocking the doors twice to reactivate the immobiliser.

hasn't skipped a beat, only fault it has is a fault it already had when it was parked which is DPF.

[jgra1]

"The worry is that mark 1 C5's aren't conducive to a stress free existence".

I agree with QPR.. any car, old or modern should really be able to sit for many weeks, months even, and just start up as normal,,
I know it's not a C5, but I left my xant once for 3 1/2 months or more, came back and started straight up,,

tyres not being rotated more of an issue, over long periods

[philthyD]

i second the tyre point..... however i haven't had an issue the day i bought the car it flew through an mot.

i was surprised tbh, and it's not like the prev owner was lying, it's a neibour.

[Stempy]

Well I guess I've just found my answer to my original question as, after leaving it locked away for two and a half weeks it just about managed to turn over and start. It was one of those will it/won't it moments. Ran perfectly well though once turning over.

I will put the battery on charge today and give it a good run but I think I will now back it into the garage in case I have to jump it, especially with the colder weather being here. And invest in a solar trickle charger.

[philthyD]

if it's in a garage, take the battery out and keep it in the house, as if it gets too cold in there it may just knacker it if it's not being used. speaking from experiance on this one.