I am wondering what special steps, if any, I should take before leaving my car parked at home for 6 weeks while I am out of the country. Can I leave the factory alarm on without it depleting the battery? Thanks for the feedback

 

I've never done this myself so take this for whatever it's worth but you could get a solar battery charger and hook it up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41144

I don't see the gas going stale in 6 wks. I've neglected my ATV longer than that and it ran fine but if it makes you feel any better you can get some Sta-Bil to keep the gas fresh for a long time. Any autoparts or hardware store will carry it.

http://www.sta-bil.com/sta-bil/index.htm

 

FERGETABOUTIT! I don't think you will have one problem. 6 weeks isn't 6 months. If it makes you feel better, you can charge the battery when you get back, have a SAFE trip.

 

I would just get a battery tender and install it..
I do this every year during winter on all my bikes and T Bird..
I have had no trouble with start ups after winter or gas..
I bring harley in living room every year till spring and have
battery tender on it whole time..
Good Luck Joe

 

I left my MINI parked all winter. It started right up in the spring. No issues. All I did was treat the fuel and cover the car.

 

How well does the gas with 10% ethanol hold up?
I read it wasn't too long since it absorbs moisture and separates (or something like that).
I imagine it would help if it was parked inside.

 

My Mini sat almost four months over the winter without being started and it started right up with no problem.

 

Hey I have a batterytender from my VW...if anyone wants it

 

What you do is... drive it to my house and I will drive it around while you are away, and while I'm waiting for my Mini to arrive.

 

Just to share my experience, a Coleman 4W 12V solar battery charger via OBDII port worked, although the cig. lighter does not in my R56 2013 Mini Cooper JCW. I unhooked the battery and tested the leads to it from the cig. lighter and OBDII.

 

Mine sat for three months this year (in a garage) after I broke my foot and couldn't drive. The only issue was the brakes were a little rough for a few miles.

 

Mine is parked in my garage under cover each winter for 3-4 months. All I do is plug in a Battery Tender Junior on it about once a month.