Help: Car Care tips

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HdT

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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.
 
HdT said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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
My 99 Honda Odessey battery
run low due the the doom light switch
Click to expand...

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

Tom Resi said:
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!
Click to expand...
 
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
 
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
Click to expand...

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 ..
 
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