Disconnect battery for 6 weeks

I'll be going overseas and leaving my Golf R parked for 6 weeks (sad I know).

I want to disconnect the battery for this time so it doesn't run out by the time I get back. I've asked VW and subsequently done countless searches. Apparently you can disconnect the negative terminal and it should be fine. However, I've also read that you should do this while the car is unlocked, otherwise the the alarm may sound when you connect the battery back up. Obviously though I want to keep the car locked when I leave.

Does anyone have any advice on disconnecting the battery, locking the car and not having any issues with the alarm or security system? I'm aware that I'll need to take the cover off on the driver's door handle to use the key to get back in.

Just save yourself the headache and buy a trickle charger.

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Originally Posted by Matticus

I'll be going overseas and leaving my Golf R parked for 6 weeks (sad I know).

I want to disconnect the battery for this time so it doesn't run out by the time I get back. I've asked VW and subsequently done countless searches. Apparently you can disconnect the negative terminal and it should be fine. However, I've also read that you should do this while the car is unlocked, otherwise the the alarm may sound when you connect the battery back up. Obviously though I want to keep the car locked when I leave.

Does anyone have any advice on disconnecting the battery, locking the car and not having any issues with the alarm or security system? I'm aware that I'll need to take the cover off on the driver's door handle to use the key to get back in.

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Get yourself a CTEK Charger.
Let it trickle while your away.
Very happy with mine...

Agree that it's a bit of a pain. However, it'll be parked in my apartment car park without access to power points. That probably limits my options to use a trickle charger.

Just lock the car. This reduces the battery drain to almost nothing.

I've been away for 8 weeks and the battery was fine. You wouldn't have known I was gone.

My battery is worse these days because I use it once a week and drive 10km.

It will be ok if car is locked. How old is the battery is what will make the difference Mine was ok at 2 years old for 7 weeks but at 4 years old didnt last for 9 weeks

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Originally Posted by Matticus

Agree that it's a bit of a pain. However, it'll be parked in my apartment car park without access to power points. That probably limits my options to use a trickle charger.

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A small solar panel will trickle charge your battery as well, though you should use the solar panel controller with it.

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Originally Posted by Transporter

A small solar panel will trickle charge your battery as well, though you should use the solar panel controller with it.

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He's in an apartment car park. If it's like my apartment car park and all the others in my area then the nearest light source for a solar panel is between 15m-50m away.

I'm lucky. My neighbours don't care if I string a wire through the car park but if I did it at my old place the body corporate would have lynched me.

Thanks all for your advice. The car was manufactured in December 2017, so the battery may hold up over 6 weeks. I'll take this into account and see how I'll go!