Hello Scotty and the community, I hope all is well with you! I have a 2006 Mercedes s65 amg (w221 generation), 63k miles, 5-speed automatic and I drive it as a weekend toy. But since I can be very busy at times, I sometimes don't drive it much, so I was wondering, how long it can sit around without causing any trouble. It is parked in a garage, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I am not exactly sure how old the battery is, but I think it is very recent, would have to check, but it is in excellent condition. This specific model actually has two batteries, one starter and one for the rest, the starter battery basically just empties naturally and not through other consumers. When I drive (last time was almost 3 weeks ago), I drive it anywhere between 60 - 100 highway miles, depending on where I go. In the internet, opinions split quite widely, so I was wondering, what is your recommendation based on your knowledge and experience? And: Would it be enough to charge the battery, after for example 4 weeks of sitting, driving about 20 miles, then shutting off, then later the same day again 20 miles and shutting off again? That is, if the battery was fully charged before sitting for 4 weeks or more.
Have a wonderful day!
So I was just wondering how many weeks it can sit without being charged or driven.
Scotty does not usually revisit topics he has already answered. Probably a good rule of thumb is to fire it up at least once a month. Also you should put fuel stabilizer in the tank if the gas is going to be in there for more than a few months.
If you don't have a power outlet for a battery maintainer there are solar-powered maintainers available, if you're able to mount solar cells outside on the garage and feed wiring through to the car battery.
@chucktobias Yes, I understand that, I was just wondering if something might be different with this specific model since it has two batteries, which is kind of unusual, as the predecessor had only 1 and even later on in the w221 generation they got back to one battery. But yes, that makes sense and is helpful, thanks a lot for your answer!
Those are very complex cars they're not made to sit not being used for long periods of time. Electronics can go walky rubber parts will start rotting and leaking. Pat, I would advise you to put a trickle charger on the battery so at least the electronics would stay charged up. You want advantages? It's very low mileage
@scottykilmer Alright, thank you Scotty! I would need to ask my neighbor in the garage if I can use the outlet. Not sure though if it's even his, it's just one outlet in the middle of 4 parking spaces which no one uses. So I was just wondering how many weeks it can sit without being charged or driven. Keep it rolling, I love your content!!