4200GT left for a month

[yeti]

All,

Due to the nature of my work, I will basically be leaving my 4200GT standing for 30 days at a time every second month. It will be garaged but has anybody any recommendations in what state to leave it? Tyres over or under inflated, full or empty of fuel and the big question locked and alarmed or not??

Will the battery on a 2002 4200 survive a month away with the alarm activated? Can I lock the car without setting the alarm? If I don't lock the car, is it immobilised anyway? Or should I invest in a battery cut-off switch (I have one on the Marcos but it's a far more basic car)?

The last thing I want is to come home and find a dead battery and whatever that means with regards to resetting this-that-and-the-other.

Any advice gratefully received, this is going to start happening in the new year. I am taking the rest of this year off to enjoy the car )

TIA

[MJK 24]

Tyre pressures - put about 45psi in them. Will help to prevent flat spots.

Battery - will likely be flat after the alarm being on for a month. Could also sound the alarm as the battery starts to fail. Better to invest forty quid or so in a trickle charger. I do have a cut off switch on my Alfa - starts on the key after a 6 month lay up but no battery = no alarm.

Petrol isn't going to go off in one month. Tank full or tank empty - doesn't matter. The vapours in a near empty tank as just as dangerous as a full tank of fuel.

Try not to worry. With a trickle charger or disconnected battery it WILL start on the key upon your return.

Enjoy your trip

Edited by MJK 24 on Saturday 10th November 20:26

[yeti]

MJK (no doubt of SELOC fame), I can't use a trickle charger as there is no power in the garage. That would be the perfect solution, but it's not to be.

My worry about disconnecting the battery is that it screws either the immobiliser or the stereo. Some systems don't react well to being disconnected... I need some info from other Maser owners really!

[3200gt]

For 4200 info, mail wicked1 he works on them day in day out. He'll give you the info you require.

[sclayto2]

If you've got a window, try using a solar trickle charger.

[yeti]

Nope, no window either. A helpful soul on the maserati UK forum has told me there is a battery disconnect switch fittted to 4200s. If this is right, problem solved!

Any owners willing to share?

[thebimbo]

In boot under cover on right (where the battery is) you'll find the switch that you need to turn. Think this feature was added in '03 models and up.

[barbuckle]

yeti said:

Nope, no window either. A helpful soul on the maserati UK forum has told me there is a battery disconnect switch fittted to 4200s. If this is right, problem solved!

Any owners willing to share?

The battery cut-off switch is in the boot, driver's side behind the pull-oput cover. It switches-off power to most electrical systems - if not using the car I leave my 4200 with this switch off to preserve the battery but have not tried this for longer than 2 weeks at a time. Mine is a 2002 model and it has the switch (all 4200s have this switch as far as I know).

You have no alarm - so have to close doors first then open boot, turn off, close boot, lock doors using key.

I'm sure this will preserve battery for you - but will still only keep it alive over time if you get enough driving done to recharge each month.

Memory seats "forget" when left off for a while and have to be reprogrammed.

[rs48635]

thebimbo said:

In boot under cover on right (where the battery is) you'll find the switch that you need to turn. Think this feature was added in '03 models and up.

Got one on my old 3200 also, would do the disconnect also. If you did alarm it, is there anyone around to take action when it goes off?
Problem easily solved with lateral thinking. Drop off a key with me and I will take it for a trundle each week, no cost to you ;-)