Battery Question?

[dykstra]

What's the longest amount of time you have let your X5 sit without a trickle charger and did it start??

[puddinboo]

about a month and started no problem and my battery is getting week ,wouldn`t start in -30c weather

[Cbirchem0724]

I left mine for like 3 weeks in the winter and she wont start. the battery was new and now its done

[dykstra]

Thanks for the replies. Don't you think it's odd that these X5 are like that??!!

[Qsilver7]

Don't you think it's odd that these X5 are like that??!!

No...but I've owned some type of BMW since 1985.

I can't remember if there's anything in my e53's owners manual...but in some of my other owners manuals (e38/e39)...BMW recommended a length of time about leaving the battery connected without removing it or charging it. Note the highlighted text from my e38's owners manual:

You can also see a BMW battery charging calender below...now that cars are full of electronic modules that controls a lot of the electronics these cars have...battery maintenance is crucial:

[bcredliner]

Have been on vacation several times for 2 weeks and it has always started right up.

[traveldad]

Seems even a new battery will drain in about 4 weeks if car sits. I don't drive my truck on a regular basis so every month I'll charge up the battery using a low 2 amps charger and hook up to the engine bay connectors. I'd avoid the normal 10 amp unless you hook up directly to the battery, and who wants to do that exercise.

Traveldad

[Qsilver7]

I use a float charger for my BMWs and riding lawn mower when they aren't in use for long periods of time.

I also have a regular 2/10/50 amp battery charger...and I wouldn't hesitate to connect it to the jump start locations in the engine bay if I needed either jump or charge the battery. Using a 10amp battery charger connected in the engine bay would be fine...just don't leave it connected over 15-hours because you don't want to overcharge the battery.

I usually use a 2 amp charge for up to 24 hours...a 10 amp charge for 10-15 hours, and the 50 amp charge for a short interval if I need a quick jump start.

Again, using 10 amps to charge the battery of an e53 for up to 15 hours using the engine bay location is fine:

[JCL]

Originally Posted by dykstra

What's the longest amount of time you have let your X5 sit without a trickle charger and did it start??

Around two months. Up to four months on other BMWs (Z4). Never a problem starting.

[Jungerishere]

Almost two months and no issues starting. When I first purchased my e46 M3 and stored for winter without charger, it started right up after 4 1/2 months. My e34 recently having issues draining battery if left for more than 5 days but haven't had issues year ago even when left for more than three weeks. Must be a short somewhere...