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How can I keep my battery in good condition whilst my Renault Laguna is in storage?

We have a Renault Laguna Initial Estate that we have had from new. It’s now six years old. The last two winters in the Highlands have been very severe. This winter we decided to garage the Laguna before winter set in. It has been in the garage for a month and the battery is now flat. It had a new battery a few months ago. I have put the battery on charge with the battery still connected to the car. I have now noticed in the handbook that the battery should not be charged in situ. What would you advise regarding this and of any other action that should be taken to keep the car in good order whilst in store?

Asked on 24 March 2012 by PB, Inverness

Answered by Honest John
Depends what sort of battery charger this is. If it is an ordinary battery charger, then you will probably have burned out the ECU and various other circuits. You'll soon find out if you try to start the engine. If it is a special 'battery conditioning' trickle charger, of the type you can leave connected permanently while the car is in storage, then it will be okay. More on storing a car here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/storing-a-car/
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