GR86 A very pleasant surprise !

[Retired ATCO]

Just back from a 90 day trip having left my (March 2024) car in my garage with the windows partly down just in case, audio and interior lights set to off and the smart entry key set to battery save mode.

After reading the stories of flat batteries after weeks rather than months it was with great trepidation that I approached my car.

Opened with the fob, no sign of a dim display and it started first time.

Manually check the tyres and they hadn't lost any pressure.

Big sigh of relief has just been heard by my neighbours in Troon

 

[leosayer]

That's pretty amazing.

What was the reason for leaving the windows partly open? I'd be worried about little creatures crawling in.

 

[Retired ATCO]

What was the reason for leaving the windows partly open? I'd be worried about little creatures crawling in.

My garage is integral with the house and I have a roller door which seals well so only a few spiders might find their way in.

As the windows drop down a few cm when the doors open if the battery goes flat that won't happen and then if you shut the doors with the windows fully up you risk damaging the glass.

Leaving them down a little also stops them sticking to the rubber over that long inactive period.

 

[Conscript]

Earlier this year, I went on holiday and left the car standing for just over two weeks. Fully expected the battery drain, but it started first time on the button, so I assumed the battery drain issues of the first gen had been solved - probably because we don't have an alarm anymore, and that was the suspected culprit

That said, I have seen a few posts on the GR86 Facebook group with people finding the battery going flat after being sat for a few days, so it does still seem to be an issue. Guessing the car still ships with a rather weak battery.

 

[Ersakus]

3 weeks away with battery save mode on. No problems with the battery levels .

 

[ZN8]

There is no alarm so the parasitic load should be really low. One positive I suppose...