Covid 19 and car sitting idle

[RS3 S.]

Or in words that some folk here may understand better... "Don't be a d**k"

..........you sir need to keep some of your comments to yourself. I think i must have missed the vote when they elected you to head of the forum Gestapo !!!!!!.

 

[Wibbly]

..........you sir need to keep some of your comments to yourself. I think i must have missed the vote when they elected you to head of the forum Gestapo !!!!!!.

Thank you for deleting your previous comment on the subject. I'd have reported that. So you are now telling me what I need to do on the forum - was there indeed a vote?!? And I find your reference above to Gestapo as highly offensive and inappropriate. Do you even know what they did?

Anyway, not sure why you feel my comment was directed at you, I can only guess you feel you need to be defensive about it.

It's a highly stressfull time for many, and seeing anyone putting or planning to put or encouraging others to put more folk at risk without good reason makes it worse, at least for me. I'm not speaking for others - just looking at the indescrimanate death toll every day still wondering what the justificaton is for some people driving to "excersise" their cars...

 

[wab172uk]

Thank you for deleting your previous comment on the subject. I'd have reported that. So you are now telling me what I need to do on the forum - was there indeed a vote?!? And I find your reference above to Gestapo as highly offensive and inappropriate. Do you even know what they did?

Anyway, not sure why you feel my comment was directed at you, I can only guess you feel you need to be defensive about it.

It's a highly stressfull time for many, and seeing anyone putting or planning to put or encouraging others to put more folk at risk without good reason makes it worse, at least for me. I'm not speaking for others - just looking at the indescrimanate death toll every day still wondering what the justificaton is for some people driving to "excersise" their cars...

Lighten up. If someone drives 3 miles to the shops or takes the slighter longer 5 mile route, then no one is going to die as a consequence. You `Could` crash on any road, Shortest route are not somehow devoid of potential crashes. And with less cars about, the chances of crashing into something or someone is less likely than ever before.

People phoning police on their neighbours for taking the dogs out twice in one day. People going outside to film people outside to complain people are outside. That's a special kind of stupid.

If everyone is sensible and certain people don't take it that they are there to uphold the law "Rules are rules, unless I need to do something or go somewhere, then that's ok". Some people (as always in life) read something and think it's law.

Just chill out, mind your own business, and be sensible.

For the last 2 weekends (and will be doing it this weekend), we have been out for 2-3 hours, both Saturday & Sunday walking around the nearby farmers fields and tracks. Perfectly fine, and away from anyone else. Yet some would say (and they have done) that what we are doing is irresponsible, as we are not inside, as per the Government advise. But that advise does allow us to all go outside. You just have to be sensible, and keep social distancing.

I feel sorry for these people (some on my facebook) that are actually scared to go outside, and haven't for over 2 weeks. Though I have noticed these same people were the ones terrified that leaving the EU would lead to a Zombie Apocalypse, and terrified that if we didn't start walking everywhere and only eat grass, that the world will suddenly explode. Oh, and most likely the ones who rushed out and panic bought thinking they wouldn't be allowed out of their house for the next 6 months.

Must be terrible for these people living their lives always scared.

There will always be idiots, holding house parties or getting the neighbours and friends round for a BBQ. But to categories someone driving 5 miles instead of 3 into the same bracket, is idiotic too.

 

[John Pilkington]

Lighten up. If someone drives 3 miles to the shops or takes the slighter longer 5 mile route, then no one is going to die as a consequence. You `Could` crash on any road, Shortest route are not somehow devoid of potential crashes. And with less cars about, the chances of crashing into something or someone is less likely than ever before.

People phoning police on their neighbours for taking the dogs out twice in one day. People going outside to film people outside to complain people are outside. That's a special kind of stupid.

If everyone is sensible and certain people don't take it that they are there to uphold the law "Rules are rules, unless I need to do something or go somewhere, then that's ok". Some people (as always in life) read something and think it's law.

Just chill out, mind your own business, and be sensible.

For the last 2 weekends (and will be doing it this weekend), we have been out for 2-3 hours, both Saturday & Sunday walking around the nearby farmers fields and tracks. Perfectly fine, and away from anyone else. Yet some would say (and they have done) that what we are doing is irresponsible, as we are not inside, as per the Government advise. But that advise does allow us to all go outside. You just have to be sensible, and keep social distancing.

I feel sorry for these people (some on my facebook) that are actually scared to go outside, and haven't for over 2 weeks. Though I have noticed these same people were the ones terrified that leaving the EU would lead to a Zombie Apocalypse, and terrified that if we didn't start walking everywhere and only eat grass, that the world will suddenly explode. Oh, and most likely the ones who rushed out and panic bought thinking they wouldn't be allowed out of their house for the next 6 months.

Must be terrible for these people living their lives always scared.

There will always be idiots, holding house parties or getting the neighbours and friends round for a BBQ. But to categories someone driving 5 miles instead of 3 into the same bracket, is idiotic too.

Totally agree pal

 

[Gazwould]

C-Tek , you could have two..

£22.74

 

[MELenium]

Buy cheap buy twice

 

[Gazwould]

Not in this case , you can't apply that old chestnut to everything .

And he owns C-Tek's .

 

[musicegbdf]

ST 200 , just seen your message. Many thanks , that reassures me.
I thought it would as it is a smart charger.
Again thanks

 

[DJAlix]

Not in this case , you can't apply that old chestnut to everything .

View attachment 200652

View attachment 200651

And he owns C-Tek's .

To be fair these actually look ok for what they offer and the price point is amazing.

Was editing some images and video just now and found a job I did down at Joe Macari's a few weeks back. CTEK OEM Branded chargers all over the place, including connected to the Lambo I was working on

 

[Ambo]

I got a CTEK MSX 5.0. Gave me something to do wiring it up. 1. Adding a waterproof mains socket on outside wall of my house (finally goot round to it). 2. Added CTEK cable to battery so charger is plug-in, not requiring aligator clips. Not a cheap charger, but thought of a replacement battery cost made decision to get new 'toy' easy.

Hi there. Newbie member here. 66 plate S3 saloon. QQ re connecting the CTEK eyelets. I've just got the CTEK MXS 5 and want to attached the eyelet connectors permanently to my S3. I know which charging points to use per the manual. Do I need to take any precautions disconnecting the live and earth point nuts to connect the CTEK eyelets? I'm worried if I disconnect the battery I might get a bunch of error codes and as a private owner in lockdown, I don't have access to an Audi service centre. Worst case I can still use the crocodile clips but would like to install the eyelets for future ease of use. Any help appreciated!

 

[josul]

Hi there. Newbie member here. 66 plate S3 saloon. QQ re connecting the CTEK eyelets. I've just got the CTEK MXS 5 and want to attached the eyelet connectors permanently to my S3. I know which charging points to use per the manual. Do I need to take any precautions disconnecting the live and earth point nuts to connect the CTEK eyelets? I'm worried if I disconnect the battery I might get a bunch of error codes and as a private owner in lockdown, I don't have access to an Audi service centre. Worst case I can still use the crocodile clips but would like to install the eyelets for future ease of use. Any help appreciated!

If you dont want to cut the eyelets as suggested by Alex in you other post then is there enough space on the bolt to leave as is and simply add the eyelet and another nut?

 

[Harvey]

Topped up the S3 (mk3 FL) battery using my Accumate over Easter weekend as I've only covered 8 miles in three weeks popping to the supermarket a couple of times. Here's how I connected it while still being able to close the bonnet & lock the car.

Got a socket years ago from Wilkos which looks like this and using all weather arctic grade cable from Maplins…

…which meant I was able to poke it through the undertray vent hole into the engine bay.

+ve connection.

-ve connection.

All good with a green blob and the Accumate sitting in maintain mode having done it’s intended job.

 

[A4A4]

@Gazwould Thanks for the recommendation, got it for £22.49 of prime. Great price.

 

[musicegbdf]

Nice one ST200 , thanks.
I usually have mine connected to my 51 year old mgb gt.
Interesting that you had it connected with the car locked . That has given me confidence to use it on mine and our VW Up runaround.

 

[123Quattro]

Is there any point in plugging one of these in for a few hours once or twice a week during this lockdown? Or are they meant to be attached 24/7 as a tender? I don't have outside or Garage power, so have to leave my front door ajar with a power cable running out. Not ideal, bit want to maintain my battery. Just wondering if that is a viable solution, or if I would be as well just idling it for 15 minutes instead?

 

[Wibbly]

…which meant I was able to poke it through the undertray vent hole into the engine bay.

Ah, I don't have the vents on a 1.4 TSFI's tray and haven't been able to find an alternate exit for the cable allowing me to close the bonnet - and in my case I used a much smaller connector too to replace the mains plug/socket and have what should be a water tight connection all the way to the ouside weather proof mains socket... It almost fits through a gap beside the radiator, but not quite.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076QH9VF4/

 

[MELenium]

My Ctek mxs 5.0 arrived with the postman this morning for my A1 2019.
I connected the positive eyelet to the battery by snipping the eyelet so that I only loosend the nut enough for it to slide on and tighten, then the negative eyelet connected straight onto the Audi designated earth. I cable tied this to keep the loose end from moving about when using the car. The Ctek comfort extension cable was threaded under the sponge part near the hinge of the bonnet. and out at the top where there is a large gap so that I could close the bonnet. I then put the cable through our opening window to connect to the charger.
It took about 3 hours to fully charge the battery. Very easy to use as the lights tell you how it's charging. Very happy with the outcome and not having to use the crocodile clips each time

 

[HertS3]

I leave my cheap Amazon charger on overnight with the bonnet half closed, can still lock the car

 

[Wibbly]

View attachment 201058 My Ctek mxs 5.0 arrived with the postman this morning for my A1 2019.

Nice clean engine bay

 

[Ambo]

If you dont want to cut the eyelets as suggested by Alex in you other post then is there enough space on the bolt to leave as is and simply add the eyelet and another nut?

Hi, sorry for the delay. Thanks for this. I thought the same initially. I could add an M6 nut on top to the earth point, but not the live as there is a cross cut on the top of the thread that seems to prevent me threading another nut on top! Think I will snip the live eyelet and maybe leave the earth and use an extra nut.

 

[ldn]

Car is parked on the street - any recommendations for a charger that can be kept under the bonnet? Sorry I'm useless at these things! Currently the car is only doing about a 4 mile round trip on our weekly shop to Sainsburys and back!

 

[Wibbly]

Car is parked on the street - any recommendations for a charger that can be kept under the bonnet? Sorry I'm useless at these things! Currently the car is only doing about a 4 mile round trip on our weekly shop to Sainsburys and back!

You can see above how some have done that. I would only add to be careful how you get the cable from car to dwelling as you probably wouldn't want to be found guilty of causing someome to trip and hurt themselves on it. Nor would you want a non-water proof plug/socket potentailly exposed if it rains.

 

[daytonamart]

Hi Chaps,

I've just put a CTEK MXS 5.0 in the classifieds.

Brand new, never been used.

£50 delivered secure signed for package.

Any questions let me know.

 

[msdmjb]

Some people I think overly worry, if your battery is fit it should easily be able to be left for a month.

My 2014 S3 was regularly left for 5weeks without being touched and always started when asked, important to not wake it up on a regular basis as the electronics have a kind of progressive shutdown process and by even unlocking it wakes it up, opening the front door primes the ecu for example.
New non-S3 motor has a tracker and has been left for 3 weeks and still started fine.

Saying all that I do own 6 CTEKs as I plug other machines in but they are left for months at a time over winter...........I would recommend an MCS5.0 or even a 3.8 which should work fine just a bit slower.

 

[eribaMotters]

Some people I think overly worry, if your battery is fit it should easily be able to be left for a month.

My 2014 S3 was regularly left for 5weeks without being touched and always started when asked, important to not wake it up on a regular basis as the electronics have a kind of progressive shutdown process and by even unlocking it wakes it up, opening the front door primes the ecu for example.
New non-S3 motor has a tracker and has been left for 3 weeks and still started fine.

Saying all that I do own 6 CTEKs as I plug other machines in but they are left for months at a time over winter...........I would recommend an MCS5.0 or even a 3.8 which should work fine just a bit slower.

You are doing well to get 3 weeks with a tracker fitted. Uncle had a tracker on his last Merc E class and after 3 or 4 weeks it would drain the battery. He resorted to a small solar panel type charger you can leave on the dashboard.

Colin

 

[John Pilkington]

You are doing well to get 3 weeks with a tracker fitted. Uncle had a tracker on his last Merc E class and after 3 or 4 weeks it would drain the battery. He resorted to a small solar panel type charger you can leave on the dashboard.

Colin

tracker fitted on mine pal.if I leave mine 3 weeks I will get the low battery warning.

 

[martinlop]

Hi fellows
I was just sitting at fast idle till oil is up to temp, and then rev it up at about 2000 pr 3000 rpm for ca. 20 min once a week. Today, went to start it as usual and battery level is not enough to get the engine started up. Radio and lights are ok, but apparently battery is somehow dead. Here is winter (Argentina) and during my last start up routine, a week ago, it showed some difficulties.
Nevertheless the Battery built in indicador is not showing that the battery is dead, so I’m not sure what to do next. Options are:
A) get a charger and plug it until it get back to life again
B) get a friends car paired and do a parallel start up and then rev it up again to see if it charges by itself
C) buy a new and expensive battery, which for a 2017 model makes no much sense.
Any ideas? What would you recommend? thanks in advance.

 

[josul]

Hi fellows
I was just sitting at fast idle till oil is up to temp, and then rev it up at about 2000 pr 3000 rpm for ca. 20 min once a week. Today, went to start it as usual and battery level is not enough to get the engine started up. Radio and lights are ok, but apparently battery is somehow dead. Here is winter (Argentina) and during my last start up routine, a week ago, it showed some difficulties.
Nevertheless the Battery built in indicador is not showing that the battery is dead, so I’m not sure what to do next. Options are:
A) get a charger and plug it until it get back to life again
B) get a friends car paired and do a parallel start up and then rev it up again to see if it charges by itself
C) buy a new and expensive battery, which for a 2017 model makes no much sense.
Any ideas? What would you recommend? thanks in advance.

Definitely option A plus reading the first 6 posts of this thread but 4 months ago...

 

[martinlop]

Thanks mate. Believe me that I did. Including all off topic posts

 

[JohnM100]

Fast idle etc will help as long as it’s Kong enough and you don’t wake up the car in between but it’s neither optimal nor a fix and the smart charger is better.

I understand turning the engine over but driving it especially slowing by foot off accelerator ie recuperation will dump much more into the battery than fast idle.

 

[jaypers777]

Fast idle never enough really. Suspect many people will be having these types of issues. If a drip charger hasn’t been used, the battery will not have received enough charge to keep it healthy.

Aside from the battery issues, cars need to be driven every few weeks to avoid problems with brakes, tyres, fluid circulation etc.

 

[martinlop]

Thanks y’all. After consultation with specialists from Audi, they have recommended at least 2 hours with an intelligent (microntrolled) charger. he also mentioned that in emergency cases a “jump” can be used, and in fact that’s what I did. Called the insurance emergency assistance, and they brought an extra charged standalone battery. Parallel connection, and engine started. After that, 2 hours of engine running was enough to almost recharge the battery. Today I started The engine again and everything looked normal. They said with the new ecus for the alternators, it makes no sense to rev it up. Alternator voltage adjusts Charging voltage no matter the rpms but the battery level. They have also recommended at least 30 min at least twice a week.