Goodwood

My month old GTS w/900 mi on it wouldn't start after sitting just 6 days unlocked in the garage. Why did this happen, and more importantly, what can I do to prevent this? Normally, I drive it daily for only about 10 mi, but had a left Achilles hyperextension, so took a little break. Was able to open the frunk and start it after a few mins using a charger set to 50 amp boost. FYI, I keep the fob about 40 ft away in the house. Is this normal? Seems ridiculous. My friends just returned from a month long trip, and all 3 of their American cars started right up.

Dan Nagy

I was told to always lock the car in order to turn off running systems (in addition to the alarm). I don’t know if it’s true, but I do lock my cars on the garage.

Goodwood

Interesting, but wouldn't locking the car activate the alarm, thus creating a further drain on the battery?

Denny Swift

That’s strange. My car can sit 3 weeks without issue. I never lock it in my garage. Here’s my guess: the battery didn’t have a full charge when you last left it. If you only do 10 mile trips, that may not be enough to fully charge it so it may never get fully charged. If you have a full charge to begin with, then 10 mile trips should be enough to maintain it. The A.A.S. Is a good indicator. If the A.S.S. routinely doesn’t activate when you stop, it’s probably because your battery is too low.

Spyder718

Anything other than a charger plugged into the 12V outlets?

Goodwood

I have my A.S.S. disabled so can't use that indicator.

LZRD GRN

Always leave mine unlocked with the frunk open, with a cover on to hide the fact, just in case......

Have been away up to 8 wk without starting and they have always re started......

Once, a Macan did not start, with the (hood in that case) open, makes things a lot easier to boost

BTW, in a condo with no power in my parking spots.....

Goodwood

Wow, away 8 wks and it started? As you know, the Macan has a mechanical cable hood release, so it you're leaving the car unlocked, there wouldn't be any need to keep the hood released, would there?

Dyim

6 days definitely is short.

Do you have any accessories plugged in? Camera? I assume yours is not a lot car and is fresh off the boat.

FWIW, I had a 991 for 7 years, >50,000 miles. 3 season car. I only plug it in during the winter months. There would be time it would sit for weeks not plugged in. Never had issue starting and still on original battery when I traded it in. Always keep it locked though.

I also read probably on here an unlocked car never goes to sleep and can drain battery. Not sure how true that is.

LZRD GRN

I will add, all cars are under 3yr old, so fresh batteries...

Do not really know, but I have always sensed (and heard) that when you leave the frunk open, the system senses the frunk light is on, and does a complete shutdown.

Also, the garage is underground and always relatively warm, even in winter.

May just be lucky......

halfmonkey

You mentioned that your car is a month old and you normally drive it for about 10 miles a day. If the car was sitting for a while prior to you taking delivery and then you've only driven it for 10 miles on a "regular" basis, that might not have been enough to bring the battery charge up to a sufficient level where leaving it for 6 days left the battery dead. In other words, if for example you turn on the car every day but drive it only around the block, that will drain the battery more than it will help it stay charged.

I will say that does seem to be way too short of a time but I usually drive my cars once a week and drive at least about 30 miles round trip to warm up all of the components and to help charge the battery.

As others have mentioned, if you're going to leave your car sitting for a while and don't drive it a long enough distance every time the car is started, get a battery maintainer.

dichael

Not quite related to goodwood’s issue, but if you’re going to be away for several weeks, can the battery be disconnected without ill effects?

Larry Cable

my recommendation, get a AntiGravity Li ion battery to replace the heavy OEM, and also get a trickle charger for the battery (which has to be li ion compatible)

you will take weight out of the car, and the AG battery has a mode that prevents flats, it will switch itself off to retain a starting charge

https://antigravitybatteries.com/pro...acker-lithium/

https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-h6-rs/

https://antigravitybatteries.com/pro...ctek-cig-plug/

https://antigravitybatteries.com/pro...ek-lithium-us/

Tief Lernen

I’ve left my GT4 and my previous 718 Boxster S unlocked and untouched for ~4 weeks without any problems.

Mojonito

Were you’re keys nearby?