Battery Low Charge

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So, since I got my crummy Citroen for work, I havent been driving the Z4 much.

In fact, the last time I drove it was a few weeks ago, and then only for about 20 miles.

So, I got in it yesterday and it complained that the battery charge had dropped. I drove it for a bit, then it said the charge was very low.

Planning on giving it a 100 mile round trip on Wednesday.

Would I be right in assuming the low charge is from lack of use (i.e. thats got to be the obvious reason, right?) and what sort of miles should I do to charge it up, is 100 enough?

Does running low damage the battery?

Its parked on the driveway....is it safe to leave it on a charger? That might be a solution.
 
You could be right about the lack of use causing the low battery issue but I would be a bit worried about it getting worse after you have given it a run. It may be that you have a charging issue either with the battery or the alternator.

If you want to go down the charger route you could consider something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002K1Z0K2?psc=1

You connect it to the terminal posts under the bonnet and forget about it. It will maintain your battery in a healthy state.
 
Thanks.

I got the Citroen in September. The Z4 used to be my daily drive, but is now a weekend car, and to be honest, I havent used it much.

I think the first message was it saying the last time it was used there was xx amount of charge, and this time only yy amount of charge, so it was warning me of a difference, then after it had been used a bit, (and hopefully charging a bit) it was telling me the charge was still low.

Might be worth taking it in, just to be sure - they can also replace my iDrive knob, cos its stiff to turn.

Is that charger ok for outside use? Is the lead to the plug long, or do you plug it into an extension under the bonnet to run back to the garage?
 
You can put an extension under the bonnet or make up some extended charging leads for the charger to the car, which is what I did.

You definatley need to sort out your stiff knob so I would get them to check it then....... :)
 
Another vote for Ctek.

They come with their quick disconnect which you hardwire directly on the battery terminals.

Connect and forget. As simple as that.
 
I just wrote a whole essay and the iPad shut down safari. :x

I said, it happened to me, I drove it for 40 miles, its been ok since.
 
Carol M said:
I just wrote a whole essay and the iPad shut down safari. :x

I said, it happened to me, I drove it for 40 miles, its been ok since.
Click to expand...

Can you redo the essay?
 
Seeing as its you Kev!

Happened a few weeks ago, the sign looks like the car has been jacked up on a platform :|

Anyway, I drove it for about 40 miles and it's been fine since.
I use it less in this weather as I use the Freelander but I make sure I use it at the very least once every two weeks no matter what the weather (unless its icy/snowy of course)
When the sign came on it had stood for about two and a half weeks without being used. So I reckon my two weeks rule is about right.

Not much of an essay but felt like it!
 
Carol M said:
Seeing as its you Kev!

Happened a few weeks ago, the sign looks like the car has been jacked up on a platform :|

Anyway, I drove it for about 40 miles and it's been fine since.
I use it less in this weather as I use the Freelander but I make sure I use it at the very least once every two weeks no matter what the weather (unless its icy/snowy of course)
When the sign came on it had stood for about two and a half weeks without being used. So I reckon my two weeks rule is about right.

Not much of an essay but felt like it!
Click to expand...

That sounds like the same sign I got, so thanks. Sounds like a similar situation, so I wll need to drive it more!!!!

Doing 100 miles on Wed so will take the Z4, that should top it up nicely....although will reduce the fuel needle!
 
I don't think it does much harm leaving it two weeks max and then giving it a blast. The stop/start won't work of course but I'm not bothered about that.
 
You need to use it Kevin to keep the battery charged, if you only use the car now and again and leave the battery to go to a low charge state on a regular basis it will eventually die especially during cold spells. As suggested get a ctek charger, use one mine for the 5 months its tucked away, it will always keep the battery at its optimum. You can connect it to the underbonnet charge points or the leads to the battery and connect the charger to the leads as needed.

http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/mxs-3.8.php

A replacement BMW battery will be over twice the price plus fitting charge and codeing so worth investing.

The battery on my Z3 is over 12 years old and as good as new :)

Tim.
 
A battery on left on permanent charge should be on a maintenance charge basis ie. Not a full voltage blast!

Keep your eyes on the Lidl specials, they are a perfectly good alternative to the more expensive ctek chargers.
 
If you are using a battery charger conditioner be aware ensure that you have a fuse on the lead just before it goes on the battery +ve some of the cheap and cheerful ones dont and shorting your battery often results on hot wiring and possibly a fire.....
 
Its going in on Monday for them to look at the sticky iDrive controller (although sods law - its been ok since I booked it in!).

They are also going to check the battery and stick it on charge whilst they've got the car. I did tell them it was probably due to lack of use.

Drove it on Wednesday for over 100 miles and had no problems or errors.

This charging business is getting complicated for me....probably safer just to use the car more often!
 
Without checking the exact spec.
The alternator puts out about 100 amps and the battery is 75 amph capacity - so if the battery is half charged ie enough to start the car, then a 30minute run should see it fully charged.

A maintenace charger is still the best bet iIMHO. :thumbsup:

Dont worry about the "charging business" The car has the pegs under the bonnet all ready just to clip onto - would have to try very very hard to get it wrong!
 
So not a car to be left on an airport car park for 3 weeks.
If only i could afford the parking fee, let alone a 3 week holiday!
 
flybobbie said:
So not a car to be left on an airport car park for 3 weeks.
If only i could afford the parking fee, let alone a 3 week holiday!
Click to expand...

I leave mine in a car park for 3 weeks every month when I go to work, never had a problem starting it !
 
I've left it for 3 weeks in the past and had no problems when I came back.....we've been on a few holidays of 3 week duration and never had problems before, so I can only assume this time was due to it not being used very much beforehand, so perhaps the battery was low to start with - whereas before it was my daily driver.

The thing with the battery chargers - my car is on the drive in all weathers, just seems alien to me to have it plugged into the mains, although I appreciate people do so with no problems.
 
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