How long can the battery last in Winter (10~30 degree) w/o starting the car?

[bufuro]

Hello,

I came to visit LA while my car is sitting in NorthEast OH (10~30 degrees). I thought my trip would be less than a week, but it looks like I will be staying here for another 5 more weeks.

Will the car's battery last for me?

[Used2be]

Around six weeks will be pushing it, I think. If you have a friend who could put a trickle charger on it, that would save the necessary recharge when you return. Not a big deal, it might take a few hours of charging from a charger which can put out some amps when you return. Better life for the battery though if you use the trickle, even if for just a week or two. If you're in an airport parking lot..............? You'll probably need a jump start, then it should get you home.

[Jay-K]

Wow,
what a nice extended vacay..

Use C-tek,
they are the best in the business.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Jay-K

Use C-tek,
they are the best in the business.

Agreed.
They are even sold by BMW outside the USA and used by many BMW dealers on their floor stock.

Easy to get from places like Amazon

[E90potentialbuyer]

I'm concerned about this. I live in NYC and only take my car out in weekend for grocery and occasional dinners or visiting family. Car goes on long drive maybe one round trip a month. Rest are all grocery runs or going a few blocks for dinner. I can't use trickle charger because I'm in a public garage.

What will I do!

[Can84]

3 weeks no problem tested

[M8]

Mine sat in the garage for over a month in December and January and no problem. Fired right up!

[mvigod]

I have C-tek and have not driven my F10 M5 for about a month and want to trickle charge. Is best practice hooking up to posts under the hood or direct to battery in the trunk. I've read so many posts where I've seen people do both.

My summary of all I have read seems to point to hooking Ctek up to the posts under the hood as safest and proper way. Just wanted to confirm before I fried anything! thanks

[nynd]

Under the posts in the engine bay is always the best way. Reason being, back in the days of sulphuric acid batteries, there was always the potential of gas to be released which could ignite at the creation of a spark fro touching the terminals. Newer batteries are obviously AGM as opposed to lead acid so not an issue anymore, but hood terminals remains the best alternative. My 2 cents.

[M-bitious]

BMW sells a charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter, works like a charm and couldn't be easier.

[E90potentialbuyer]

Originally Posted by M-bitious

BMW sells a charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter, works like a charm and couldn't be easier.

That's not true. BMW's cigarette lighter chargers were for older models (E46 and before). You cannot charge a F series car since the cigarette lighter is not powered (will not have any power once you switch off the car).