Battery tender / trickle charger?

PaperSniper · Post by **PaperSniper** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:50 pm

My car rests quietly in my garage most of the time. On average I drive it once a week for two 45 minutes drives in the same day. It's apparent my car takes some sort of a nap after maybe 3-4 days, as it stops unlocking/relocking when I walk near it with the key in my pocket. That's not a problem as it locks/unlocks when I touch the door handle or use the fob.

However, I wonder if I ought to start using some sort of battery tender/trickle charger? Any experience from those with similar experience? I use or have used a Battery Tender Jr on my motorcycles and my lawn tractor with good results. But those often went much longer without being used. I never experienced what I'd describe as any "low battery" symptoms with my Z4.

Doug

ori · Post by **ori** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:27 pm

Don’t think you would need one.

Bridgehouse · Post by **Bridgehouse** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:37 pm

I use a CTEK MXS 5.

It does the job perfectly. TBH a few days shouldn't matter at all, but I put it on if I'm likely to not use the car for more than a week. Really useful over the winter if you intend not to use it.

dr_john · Post by **dr_john** » Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:52 pm

I normally only use mine for a similar period of time as you, apart from occasional longer trips once in a while.

I never felt the need to trickle charge, it’s coming up to 3 years old with no problems.

warmasice · Post by **warmasice** » Mon Apr 25, 2022 12:50 am

That's not much usage, so I'd personally put it on a trickle charger. Using a Noco here.

q96169we · Post by **q96169we** » Mon Apr 25, 2022 9:18 am

Bridgehouse wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:37 pm I use a CTEK MXS 5.

I use this one as well.

G29Z4 · Post by **G29Z4** » Tue Apr 26, 2022 4:54 pm

Mine gets used much the same and I've never had an issue. It stood for 3 weeks last summer whilst we were away and started no problem. But, I seem to remember that the Z4 will progressively shut the electrics down over time to save battery power for starting. That's why the radio and lights etc turn themselves off after 10 minutes or so.
Do you have Comfort Access, otherwise it won't unlock with proximity?

KrusteKlubba · Post by **KrusteKlubba** » Wed May 04, 2022 9:51 am

Mine sits still for up to a month so for me using a CTEK is a good option, especially in winter when the car tends to hibernate.

PaperSniper · Post by **PaperSniper** » Wed May 04, 2022 12:23 pm

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will just continue as I have been and not bother with the battery tender.

Doug

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