Charging Mk7 Battery

I've had my Mk7 GSW (Highline / SEL with KESSY) parked for about six weeks now - been traveling and having fun in the Mk4 and snow - and when checking a VCDS setting today (didn't start engine), I got a "12V battery is low...turn off accessories" or something like that.

So - figuring that I should top up the battery before I get it on the road again, I'm wondering if any fussing needs to be done with the battery charging, or do I just plug in my old-timey Canadian Tire (20yr. old version of this) and wait for the light to turn green?

That charger will work great. Use the lower 2 amp setting and let it charge overnight preferably.

I've been charging my Mk7 battery normally (with a trickle charger), no special treatment, and it's fine.

You do know to keep your Mk7 locked, as the battery drains faster when it is unlocked?
I found that out the hard way...

locked or unlocked I think it has more to do with the proximity of the kessy key? keep it 20-40 feet away otherwise the car will be waiting for you to start it or prevent it from "going to sleep". I believe it also helps save the kessy battery life.

neimis said:

You do know to keep your Mk7 locked, as the battery drains faster when it is unlocked?
I found that out the hard way...

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Could you elaborate on what happened?

Chris Bell said:

Could you elaborate on what happened?

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My battery drained fairly quickly. The car was sitting and not being driven, though.

neimis said:

My battery drained fairly quickly. The car was sitting and not being driven, though.

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Like 740GLE mentioned, that could have been due to the key being in range. Was the key hanging/stored close enough to keep communicating with the car while it was sitting?

bizzle said:

Like 740GLE mentioned, that could have been due to the key being in range. Was the key hanging/stored close enough to keep communicating with the car while it was sitting?

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The key was probably 50 or 60 feet away, but that is probably a moot point as I don't have Keyless Entry.

From page 313 in my owner's manual:

"What drains the vehicle battery?...
Leaving the vehicle unlocked for several days when not in use..."

I wonder if that applies to your model. The control system is probably left listening for a lock signal on a keyless entry system, but I don't know why that would affect you if you don't have keyless entry.

But are you talking about keyless entry or KESSY? Even my '98 has keyless entry.

bizzle said:

Was the key hanging/stored close enough to keep communicating with the car while it was sitting?

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Car: Whatcha doing over there baby
Key: Just hanging out, maybe waiting for somebody to pick me up
Car: mmmm wish they would pick you up and bring you over to me
Key: Do I turn you on?
Car: Yeah baby you do
Key: Well maybe I will slide right in then
Car: Oh yeah get me started baby
Key: You getting hot?
Car: Don't be ridiculous, I'm a diesel and it takes forever to get me hot.

bizzle said:

But are you talking about keyless entry or KESSY? Even my '98 has keyless entry.

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Oops, that was dumb of me, of course I have keyless entry.
I should have said "I don't have KESSY".