MG4 Parking at Airport

[LukeTim]

So my wife and I have a trip planned for next month, flying from Manchester Airport, and we are planning on driving to the airport which is ~130 miles away.

I recently picked up my SE LR, which is my first EV, and so I'm not that concerned about range - though this will be my first really long drive - so much as I am concerned about leaving the car for a week at the airport carpark while we're away.

Is there a particular state of charge that would be best to leave it at for an extended period like that? I understand 50% is best for a really long time (> 6 months). Should I top it up before reaching the airport or is it better to wait until we return and seek out a charge before the drive home? I've read horror stories in the past about people returning from holiday with near zero battery left so a bit anxious.

Any general suggestions for doing a drive like this with an EV?

 

[Rolfe]

We've had this discussion before, and the main concern seems to be the possibility of the 12v battery going flat so that you can't get back into the car or start it. For this reason many people advise carrying a 12v booster pack so you can get going again immediately. You will have to unlock the car with the physical key if this happens, so make sure you have it (one or two key fobs have been supplied without this key inside them, so check), and make sure the booster pack is in the car not in the boot, which you may be unable to open.

I worried about all this last year and it was fine. Parked for over a fortnight in an airport car park, booster battery in the car, then started worrying how I'd see to do anything if it had gone flat, given that it was three in the morning and the car park was outdoors. In fact I simply walked up to the car, pressed the door button and got in. Parked at 69% and it was still at 69% when I got back.

Two possible reasons for the 12v going flat are that there is a loose terminal (so check these just in case) or that the car has stopped topping up the 12v from the traction battery, as it's supposed to do as required. EVs seem to be programmed to top the 12V up until the traction battery falls to a pre-set level, then when that's reached the 12v is abandoned to its fate - presumably because it's a lot easier to get going again with a flat 12v than with a flat traction battery. Nobody is quite sure what that level is in the MG4, but there is some rumour that it may be 50%, which seems ridiculously high, but who knows. So basically it ought to be parked with a bit more than 50% in there to allow the traction battery to stay topped up.

But frankly, a week? Pfui, you'll be totally fine. If you can top it up to above 50% before you go, do it. I noticed a car charger at the entrance to the car park I used at Glasgow, and that was probably the reason it was there. But if you can't, don't fret. If the terminals on your 12v are tight it will be fine, I'm sure. As I said, I left mine for more than two weeks and it didn't drop even 1%.

You probably want to watch this as well, lots of good advice.

 

[LukeTim]

We've had this discussion before, and the main concern seems to be the possibility of the 12v battery going flat so that you can't get back into the car or start it. For this reason many people advise carrying a 12v booster pack so you can get going again immediately. You will have to unlock the car with the physical key if this happens, so make sure you have it (one or two key fobs have been supplied without this key inside them, so check), and make sure the booster pack is in the car not in the boot, which you may be unable to open.

I worried about all this last year and it was fine. Parked for over a fortnight in an airport car park, booster battery in the car, then started worrying how I'd see to do anything if it had gone flat, given that it was three in the morning and the car park was outdoors. In fact I simply walked up to the car, pressed the door button and got in. Parked at 69% and it was still at 69% when I got back.

Two possible reasons for the 12v going flat are that there is a loose terminal (so check these just in case) or that the car has stopped topping up the 12v from the traction battery, as it's supposed to do as required. EVs seem to be programmed to top the 12V up until the traction battery falls to a pre-set level, then when that's reached the 12v is abandoned to its fate - presumably because it's a lot easier to get going again with a flat 12v than with a flat traction battery. Nobody is quite sure what that level is in the MG4, but there is some rumour that it may be 50%, which seems ridiculously high, but who knows. So basically it ought to be parked with a bit more than 50% in there to allow the traction battery to stay topped up.

But frankly, a week? Pfui, you'll be totally fine. If you can top it up to above 50% before you go, do it. I noticed a car charger at the entrance to the car park I used at Glasgow, and that was probably the reason it was there. But if you can't, don't fret. If the terminals on your 12v are tight it will be fine, I'm sure. As I said, I left mine for more than two weeks and it didn't drop even 1%.

You probably want to watch this as well, lots of good advice.

Thanks a lot for the detailed response. I may look into the 12v booster.

When you say the physical key, what do you mean? I don't think the car has any socket to insert a key. Do you just mean as opposed to relying on the bluetooth key from the app?

 

[Rolfe]

There is a socket, but it's hidden. There should be a physical key inside both your key fobs which will allow this to be used. If the 12v is flat it's the only way to open the car. Here is a video about how to do it. It should start at the right place.

 

[LukeTim]

There is a socket, but it's hidden. There should be a physical key inside both your key fobs which will allow this to be used. If the 12v is flat it's the only way to open the car. Here is a video about how to do it. It should start at the right place.

Thanks a lot that was good info.

Also, checked my key and I have the physical. Very good to know.

 

[Rolfe]

The whole series is worth bookmarking. Lots of things you don't know you need to know until suddenly the occasion arises.

There's a thread somewhere started by a member who was in France when his 12v died and he couldn't get into the car. Only then did he discover that there was no physical key in the fob he was carrying. I think the actual Euroshuttle was involved in recovering from that one. Of course, sod's law, the other fob he had left at home had the physical key in it. Both fobs should have one, so check the other one as well.

 

[LukeTim]

There's a thread somewhere started by a member who was in France when his 12v died and he couldn't get into the car. Only then did he discover that there was no physical key in the fob he was carrying. I think the actual Euroshuttle was involved in recovering from that one. Of course, sod's law, the other fob he had left at home had the physical key in it. Both fobs should have one, so check the other one as well.

Yes the other one has it too. Thanks.

 

[Rolfe]

They can fall out if the key fob is dropped on a hard surface, so be careful.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Slightly over the top but also consider carrying a new key fob battery in the same location you normally put your key. A dead one will mimic a dead 12v battery with the car not responding, a one minute job to change but could save a lot of potential hassle .

 

[Ali8371]

So my wife and I have a trip planned for next month, flying from Manchester Airport, and we are planning on driving to the airport which is ~130 miles away.

I recently picked up my SE LR, which is my first EV, and so I'm not that concerned about range - though this will be my first really long drive - so much as I am concerned about leaving the car for a week at the airport carpark while we're away.

Is there a particular state of charge that would be best to leave it at for an extended period like that? I understand 50% is best for a really long time (> 6 months). Should I top it up before reaching the airport or is it better to wait until we return and seek out a charge before the drive home? I've read horror stories in the past about people returning from holiday with near zero battery left so a bit anxious.

Any general suggestions for doing a drive like this with an EV?

Charge car to 100% battery and then when u get to airport u will have enough battery to get back home we have never had any issues with our electric cars at airports when we charge to 100%

 

[Jim S]

So my wife and I have a trip planned for next month, flying from Manchester Airport, and we are planning on driving to the airport which is ~130 miles away.

I recently picked up my SE LR, which is my first EV, and so I'm not that concerned about range - though this will be my first really long drive - so much as I am concerned about leaving the car for a week at the airport carpark while we're away.

Is there a particular state of charge that would be best to leave it at for an extended period like that? I understand 50% is best for a really long time (> 6 months). Should I top it up before reaching the airport or is it better to wait until we return and seek out a charge before the drive home? I've read horror stories in the past about people returning from holiday with near zero battery left so a bit anxious.

Any general suggestions for doing a drive like this with an EV?

Have used Airport long stay parking with ev chargers a few times costs a bit more but they have the car charged too 100% when you get home just jump in and go if you arrive back in the early hours no worries.

 

[tsedge]

So my wife and I have a trip planned for next month, flying from Manchester Airport, and we are planning on driving to the airport which is ~130 miles away.

I recently picked up my SE LR, which is my first EV, and so I'm not that concerned about range - though this will be my first really long drive - so much as I am concerned about leaving the car for a week at the airport carpark while we're away.

Is there a particular state of charge that would be best to leave it at for an extended period like that? I understand 50% is best for a really long time (> 6 months). Should I top it up before reaching the airport or is it better to wait until we return and seek out a charge before the drive home? I've read horror stories in the past about people returning from holiday with near zero battery left so a bit anxious.

Any general suggestions for doing a drive like this with an EV?

As you have a LR you should leave the car with somewhere between 50-80% SOC and it should be fine.

 

[THMG]

Hi last month left my mg4 SE LR for 18 days at airport western Australia 45% battery. Came back still had 45 % no problems