What is the best way to keep a car charged?

Question

i have bought a renault clio 1.2 16v 2004, i can't start driving till oct 25th whats the best way to keep the battery charged because i don't fancy messin with immobiliers and radio codes?

i bought this car so early due to the fact it was the only dynamique 5dr in this area!

Cheers

Answer 1

Buy a battery charger something like 5-10amps, youll need it sometime anyway, then charge it every 3 weeks.

Answer 2

Just buy yourself a small car battery charger. You can top if up periodically and wont have a problem with radio codes.  

Answer 3

Buy a solar charger from Maplins or eBay for £10 - £20. It clips on to the battery and provides a trickle charge in daylight. The unit will sit on your dashboard.

I use one when my camper is not being used regularly and it has never had a flat battery.

Running the car for short periods without any longer runs can damage the catylitic converter .

Answer 4

Run the engine for ten minutes a day should do it

Answer 5

Just start and idle it every forth day

Answer 6

Disconnect the battery and buy yourself a battery charger that works from the mains or leave the battery in place and buy a solar powered trickle charger that will sit on the dash and keep it topped up.  

Answer 7

Take the battery out of the car and store in a suitable area,then fit it as and when you need it after ,first checking the output and trickle charging as required.Most modern battery chargers can be left on charge keeping the battery topped up.

Answer 8

Fuzz.  How does disconnecting the battery retain the radio code?

To the original question.  Running the engine once a week should be sufficient to retain the charge but ideally as someone else said get a friend, who has insurance cover, to take it for a run weekly.

Answer 9

I'd say run it at fast tickover for about twenty minutes once a week - the amount of battery drain used by a normal start may take 5 - 10 minutes of normal running to recharge, so keep it once a week. Let the engine run at around 1,500rpm whilst it's charging.  

Answer 10

Twice a week, start the engine. Don't rev the car, just leave it running for about 10 mins. Or get someone else to drive it round the block for 5 mins, twice a week.

Answer 11

you can use a trickle charger and simply leave it connected...they make them for bikes,called optimate chargers...

Answer 12

Idle run for about 10minutes and then remove the battery terminals.Once the terminals are removed, the battery will stay charged.