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(My first posting...)

My SLK230 has a flat battery (I hadn't driven it for about 3 weeks). It wouldn't start a few days ago, and yesterday it wouldn't even unlock, so I got the garage out and they got it going. I drove around for 45 mins to charge it up a bit, but when I tried it this morning it wouldn't start again.

I only drive the car about once a week (as I live in central London and don't commute) - it had a new battery a couple of years ago last time this all happened.

As it is a lot of hassle getting the garage out (not least because the car is in an underground carpark which is difficult/impossible for them to get their van into), and assuming the battery is *nearly* charged enough to be able to start, is there anything I can do myself?

E.g. does the ambient air temperature matter much? (It has been particularly cold today - it may be warmer tomorrow.)

Or does it help/hinder ignition if I e.g. switch the headlights on first?

Or anything else you can suggest that I can do myself? I don't have jumpleads or a charger.

Will I need another new battery in any case? I.e. is this behaviour a sign that the battery is near death, even though it's only a couple of years and a few thousand miles old? Does only using the car infrequently (as I do) extend or shorten the battery life?

Also, to avoid flat batteries in future, will a trickle charger work? - the carpark has strip lights but no daylight. Is there a particular kind of trickle charger I should get or will any do?

Thanks for your help!

Ben

etyu

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Cold temperature does make the car battery less efficient. You may need to have the electrical system tested: a. is the battery taking and holding the charge from the alternator? and b. is the alternator doing its work correctly to charge the battery?

I also recommed a trickle battery charger especially if you don't drive the car that often. And as Dan stated, it takes about 30 minutes of driving the charge the battery adequately.

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Eddy

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Ynot uses a battery trickle charger over the winter. Recommend either a battery trickle charger, or completely remove the battery (and do not store on cement floor).

Once your battery has completely discharged, usually need to get a new battery, in order to get the cranking power (amps) to start the enginer. I know on my Lexus, it can cause the entire electrical system to screw up, and you just can't recharge unless you are on the highway (motorway).

In Texas, the heat will kill a battery after 2-3 years.

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Hi Ben, welcome to the forum.

I never had a problem on my 230, but when I got my R171350, the battery would go flat after about 4 weeks. Despite numerous trips to the dealers, they never really found out what the problem was. I eventually found out that if I left a phone in the cradle (which I used to do all the time) the battery would go flat in no time. I've since removed the phone when the car is parked up, but also I use a (mains powered) trickle charger which I hook up every time I park the car (and other car's and bikes). I've only done about 3500 miles since I bought mine in Nov 2004, but apart from the 1st 6 months (before I found the phone problem) it has been fine since. If you have access to a mains outlet where you keep your car, then buy an (intelligent) trickle charger and keep it connected all the time you're not drivin.

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2005 BMW LT - 16 countries, 2 CONTINENTS & counting
2004 MB SLK 350 Andradite Green (6 speed manual]
1999 Ducati ST2
2003 Vauxhaul Vectra
1974 Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V
1937 Norton 500 single
(all still current)