Battery Life While Parked

mr.fabulous · 01-21-2015, 10:23 AM

I'm about to leave my E82 in a parking garage for a week. June 2010 build date, original battery. Should I be worried about finding my battery dead when I return? This car never quite goes totally to sleep...

Bill B. · 01-21-2015, 06:23 PM

Leaving it for a week in Florida? If the battery is in good shape when you parked it, one week is no big deal. I often leave my cars parked for a few weeks at a time (batteries several years old) without issue.

Mach1er · 01-21-2015, 08:02 PM

I read on the forum previously that 3 weeks is about as long as a good battery can go without parasitic like the alarm and remote unlock draining it.

worries · 01-21-2015, 08:49 PM

Is it okay to just disconnect the battery in these cars when not using it for a long period?

Pyrat 2 · 01-21-2015, 09:53 PM

Couple weeks is no problem. My car may go a month or so in the winter so I bought a battery tender just so there is no issue.

Vigilante375 · 01-21-2015, 10:42 PM

My car has gone for up to a month without being started numerous times and starts up just fine. Every couple of months it sits for 2 or so weeks, sometimes in the garage and sometimes at the airport.

Just remember if you disconnect the battery to not close the trunk so it locks because you wont be able to open it, since its electronically opened and will have to "jump" it off to get power or if you folded down one of the seats then you'll be climbing through the back to open it.

Bimmer-Bob · 01-21-2015, 11:06 PM

I personally use a battery tender on my car if it will sit for more than a couple of weeks, but one week should be fine without, IMO.

mr.fabulous · 01-22-2015, 05:19 AM

This is all good information, and I do appreciate the replies. Any suggestions for a good battery tender for times when I leave the car at home?

ultimated · 01-22-2015, 07:33 AM

I don't know about the electronic trunk lock thing; I noticed a key hole on the underside of the trunk lip next to the license plate light, and the key from inside my remote opened the trunk with it. Of course, I hadn't disconnected the battery at the time, but why have the keyhole unless its there as an emergency entrance?

mr.fabulous · 01-22-2015, 08:40 AM

My car as no trunk key. Not sure at what point that got eliminated?

Mach1er · 01-22-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

My car as no trunk key. Not sure at what point that got eliminated?

They nixed the trunk key mid-'09.

TheCaptain · 01-22-2015, 11:54 AM

"Battery Tender" is the brand, and they are good.

MightyMouseTech · 01-22-2015, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worries

Is it okay to just disconnect the battery in these cars when not using it for a long period?

Just make sure you fold down the rear seats first.

55Nomad · 01-22-2015, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

This is all good information, and I do appreciate the replies. Any suggestions for a good battery tender for times when I leave the car at home?

Both Deltran and CTEK make outstanding units.

http://www.batterytender.com/
http://smartercharger.com/

I've used a Deltran Battery Tender for over 10 years without issue.

swagon · 01-22-2015, 03:25 PM

Our N55 cranked up without any problems after one and a half month.

Lucky1 · 01-22-2015, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultimated

I don't know about the electronic trunk lock thing; I noticed a key hole on the underside of the trunk lip next to the license plate light, and the key from inside my remote opened the trunk with it. Of course, I hadn't disconnected the battery at the time, but why have the keyhole unless its there as an emergency entrance?

The key hole on the underside of the trunk was removed from later year 1ers.

Dackelone · 01-22-2015, 07:14 PM

Just make sure you don't have a USB drive plugged into the car's console. Also nothing in the cig lighter or aux. That way there is no drain on the car's battery. When you lock the car... also make sure both key fobs are away from the car - that way the car can go "to sleep". You'll be fine.

Pyrat 2 · 01-22-2015, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55Nomad

Both Deltran and CTEK make outstanding units.

http://www.batterytender.com/
http://smartercharger.com/

I've used a Deltran Battery Tender for over 10 years without issue.

I'm using the Battery Tender as well as this Schumacher unit. Both work great and have for years.

http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026970

6MT_Addict · 01-24-2015, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

My car as no trunk key. Not sure at what point that got eliminated?

My 08 has it, maybe they ditched it for LCI?

Regardless you can pop the latches on rear folding seats, then just lean in from the front, and pull the emergency trunk release inside.

kleach18 · 01-24-2015, 02:24 PM

My battery only lasted about 2.3 years.... Went to Germany for a month and left the car sitting in my garage. Came back and my battery was completely dead. Jumped it and it still wouldn't hold a charge. Took it to the dealership and the battery was replaced under warranty. The car has set for extended periods of time since I've bought it new. Not sure how healthy my battery was in the first place.

You should be fine if you have a healthy battery and do the recommendations Dack made.

Bimmer-Bob · 01-25-2015, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Just make sure you don't have a USB drive plugged into the car's console. Also nothing in the cig lighter or aux. That way there is no drain on the car's battery. When you lock the car... also make sure both key fobs are away from the car - that way the car can go "to sleep". You'll be fine.

The 12V outlet doesn't receive power when the car is off. That's why you can't use one of those tenders (BMW makes one) that plug in to the cigarette lighter. You have to use the ones with the alligator clips that connect to the posts under the hood.

I use the "BMW Advanced Charging System." I think it's a re-branded Deltran, but it wasn't expensive. Got ti from the dealer with a CCA discount.

methodz · 01-25-2015, 02:39 AM

I have a question as I had battery problems with my e90 m3 and don't want a repeat with my 1er. Does key proximity have anything to do with battery drain? I noticed at the car wash that as I walked around with my key in my pocket washing the car I would notice my amber lights kept flashing. My battery actually died at their wash and I had to call a tow truck to jump me. The next day as I was going to get a new battery my car started just fine but I went and got a new battery anyways. I actually didn't expect it to start because it was completely dead the day before. I dunno?

01-21-2015, 10:23 AM	#1
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Battery Life While Parked I'm about to leave my E82 in a parking garage for a week. June 2010 build date, original battery. Should I be worried about finding my battery dead when I return? This car never quite goes totally to sleep...
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01-21-2015, 06:23 PM	#2
Bill B. Lieutenant 18 Rep 439 Posts Drives: '18 M2, '13 X135i '15 S1000R Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	Leaving it for a week in Florida? If the battery is in good shape when you parked it, one week is no big deal. I often leave my cars parked for a few weeks at a time (batteries several years old) without issue.
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01-21-2015, 08:02 PM	#3
Mach1er Lieutenant 86 Rep 524 Posts Drives: '13 128i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I read on the forum previously that 3 weeks is about as long as a good battery can go without parasitic like the alarm and remote unlock draining it.
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01-21-2015, 08:49 PM	#4
worries Private 2 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Jet Black Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 135i [0.00]	Is it okay to just disconnect the battery in these cars when not using it for a long period?
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01-21-2015, 09:53 PM	#5
Pyrat 2 Colonel 1418 Rep 2,560 Posts Drives: Rapidly from A to B Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies iTrader: (3) Garage List 2022 Porsche GT4 [9.64] 2018 Porsche GT3 [9.33] 2007 Z4 M Roadster [8.33] 2020 BMW X1 [0.00]	Couple weeks is no problem. My car may go a month or so in the winter so I bought a battery tender just so there is no issue. __________________ '07 Z4MR '22 GT4 '18 GT3 '16 GT4, '16 M2, '14 X1, '13 135is, '06 330i, '03 323 Ci, '01 330i, '99 M3 (RIP), '96 318is, some non-BMWs
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01-21-2015, 10:42 PM	#6
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	My car has gone for up to a month without being started numerous times and starts up just fine. Every couple of months it sits for 2 or so weeks, sometimes in the garage and sometimes at the airport. Just remember if you disconnect the battery to not close the trunk so it locks because you wont be able to open it, since its electronically opened and will have to "jump" it off to get power or if you folded down one of the seats then you'll be climbing through the back to open it.
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01-21-2015, 11:06 PM	#7
Bimmer-Bob ! 693 Rep 3,266 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	I personally use a battery tender on my car if it will sit for more than a couple of weeks, but one week should be fine without, IMO. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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01-22-2015, 05:19 AM	#8
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	This is all good information, and I do appreciate the replies. Any suggestions for a good battery tender for times when I leave the car at home?
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01-22-2015, 07:33 AM	#9
ultimated Private 28 Rep 90 Posts Drives: '17 430i GC Xdr Mdnght Blue Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Philadelphia 'burbs iTrader: (0)	I don't know about the electronic trunk lock thing; I noticed a key hole on the underside of the trunk lip next to the license plate light, and the key from inside my remote opened the trunk with it. Of course, I hadn't disconnected the battery at the time, but why have the keyhole unless its there as an emergency entrance?
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01-22-2015, 08:40 AM	#10
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	My car as no trunk key. Not sure at what point that got eliminated?
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01-22-2015, 11:54 AM	#12
TheCaptain Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 275 Posts Drives: m235i x 'vert Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	"Battery Tender" is the brand, and they are good.
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01-22-2015, 03:25 PM	#15
swagon Major General 13507 Rep 8,160 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Our N55 cranked up without any problems after one and a half month. __________________
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01-22-2015, 07:14 PM	#17
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Just make sure you don't have a USB drive plugged into the car's console. Also nothing in the cig lighter or aux. That way there is no drain on the car's battery. When you lock the car... also make sure both key fobs are away from the car - that way the car can go "to sleep". You'll be fine. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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01-24-2015, 02:24 PM	#20
kleach18 Essayons 44 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas, Tx iTrader: (1)	My battery only lasted about 2.3 years.... Went to Germany for a month and left the car sitting in my garage. Came back and my battery was completely dead. Jumped it and it still wouldn't hold a charge. Took it to the dealership and the battery was replaced under warranty. The car has set for extended periods of time since I've bought it new. Not sure how healthy my battery was in the first place. You should be fine if you have a healthy battery and do the recommendations Dack made. __________________ / 135i - M-Sport / 6-Speed / BMW Performance Exhaust / BMS Intake / JB4 Stage 2 ISO + Flex Fuel Wires / BMS 3.5in Down Pipe / CP-E Charge Pipe / Walbro 255 in-line fuel pump / BMS H8 AE / BMS SSK / APEX EC-7's with Nitto NT05's / COBB Tuning Sport Springs / Koni Yellows / Wagner Evo 1 / Blacklines / iCarbon Rear Diffuser / BMW Performance shift knob/boot / BMW Performance Steering Wheel /
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01-25-2015, 02:39 AM	#22
methodz First Lieutenant 40 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '12 Le Mans 135i Vert Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (3)	I have a question as I had battery problems with my e90 m3 and don't want a repeat with my 1er. Does key proximity have anything to do with battery drain? I noticed at the car wash that as I walked around with my key in my pocket washing the car I would notice my amber lights kept flashing. My battery actually died at their wash and I had to call a tow truck to jump me. The next day as I was going to get a new battery my car started just fine but I went and got a new battery anyways. I actually didn't expect it to start because it was completely dead the day before. I dunno?
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