Can I drive on a weak battery?

phildg2000 · #1 09-18-2009, 10:47 PM

Here's a background on why I'm asking this seemingly silly question.
I shipped my X5 from L.A. to Manila and it tiik more than a month to get here. Yesterday, I witnessed the stripping from the container and sure enough, the battery was weak. It had some power (indoor lights came on), but not enough to start the car. Since the car needed to be moved a short distance to the Customs Stalag, I asked for jump start service. The car started (no warning lights of any sort) and we brought it to the stalag for safekeepng until it can be released next week.

I am pretty sure that when I pick it up next week to take it home, I'm going to need jump starting again. Simple solution would be to bring a new battery with me but let's just say this is not an option (long story). So, my only option now is to drive it out after jump starting and take it home (45 minute drive with stop/go traffic, no high speed).

If the charging system and alternator of my car are good, should I worry?

Thanks,
Philip

MPDano · #2 09-18-2009, 10:51 PM

Buy a fresh battery. Why chance it in traffic. Would suck to get stuck out in Manila Traffic somewhere. A fresh battery will get you where you need to go, just keep everything off while your driving. Then you can worry about doing all your testing when it's safely at your home.

Weasel · #3 09-18-2009, 11:13 PM

There's no way of getting a battery charger on it a day or so before picking it up?

phildg2000 · #4 09-18-2009, 11:23 PM

Thanks for your responses.
MPDano, I was afarid you'd say that.
Weasel, nope, no way of getting a charger in there.
I think I saw a gas station nearby, the car shoud make it there safely. But I wish I could show you a picture of the gas station and the area surrounding the port. Think 3rd world country.

MPDano · #5 09-18-2009, 11:46 PM

A new battery is cheap insurance that you will get to your destination safely. Even if you could get a charger in there a day prior, would you feel safe with a possibly bad battery in PI Traffic? Is it worth it to you? You got a nice car, splurge and get a real good battery.

motordavid · #6 09-19-2009, 09:13 AM

I would at least take a pair of jumper cables to get it going, and hopefully
you can get it home or, to a joint to get battery replaced.
Be sure to use the pos & neg contact points/lugs, under the hood.
GL,mD

BlackE32_SilverE53 · #7 09-19-2009, 09:41 AM

I have shipped my beemers several times with out replacing the battery, almost all times I go to pick it up they have to jump it off, and that was going to Germany, England and picking it up in Charleston and Dallas. But as long as your battery is not over 5 years old you should have no worries.