Battery Tender?

JLuce – Congrats on the new car! Where are the pictures

When I bought my 575M more than two years ago I asked my mechanic exactly the same question. He answered that two and a halve weeks should be no problem without a battery tender. So I decided to NOT buy a tender and to drive my car at least once a week. When I spend my holidays without my Maranello the car sits two weeks without a tender and it was never problem to start it.

To be on the secure side I would think about two weeks (never has been an issue so far) but also three week may be possible (I never tried that).

Markus

 

Congrats on your new car!

I'd suggest using a tender to be on the safe side. You never know when something may come up and cause the battery to lose it's charge. A tender would at least make it so that it will start.

Plus, it's not a good idea to let a battery drain down and recharge, like a cel phone battery...

A tender is cheap insurance IMO

S

 

least expensive insurance you will ever buy; dead battery allows the "electrical gremlins" to run free. Good luck with your car.

 

There is an easier and cheaper solution, simply disconnect the battery (this is very easy to do on the 456/550).

 

Use a tender. These cars are power hogs and don't like weak batteries and the other electronics is so bad they don't like weak batteries either. Cutting power at the dorky switch means you have to relearn the leared block memory for the ECU and it takes 10 mins everytime you do this. Also there are drivecycle issues with Ferraris so if you are near getting a smog check done you could be in for a little unpleasant surprise. Buy a good tender or search for my $5 option. It is about 3 years old or so and still working every day.

 

I have a 550 and was told anything over two weeks hook it up...

I use a Battery Tender as did the owner before me and the battery lasted 9 years. (Interstate)

I do drive the car all the time so don't get to use it that much.

cheers,

Bill

 

Hey guys,just curious....Rather than keeping a tender on my 550 24/7 what if I simply keep it connected but only plug it up every couple of weeks , if I am not driving , let turn green then unplug it for a couple of weeks? Any downside to this plan?
Thanks.

 

Thanks for asking the battery tender question, JLuce, and congrats on the acquisition! I have had the same question on my mind. I too just bought a 575 a few weeks ago and finally took delivery of it this past Saturday. Haven't had a chance to post the story/pics yet, but hope to do so later today.

Cheers!
Kubes

 

IMO, should not be a problem. This would be similar to starting the car every few weeks, as far as battery recharging is concerned.

Not sure this saves any electricity though, since a fully charged battery pretty much makes the Battery Tender go into a no charge mode for a while anyway (when the solid green light is on).

.

 

Except in summer, when I use it regularly (like at least once every three days), I keep my car on a tender. I use the lighter/accessory attachment with a CTek tender. I don't have to raise the hood; it's easily disconnected and stored. My battery's working great and it's been in the car for at least five years. One less thing to worry about (plenty of other issues for that ).

 

You don't have to it takes care of it self.
cheers,
Bill