[oathed]

I just moved overseas and stupidly left the car sitting in my new garage for 5 months, just turning it on and letting it run for some minutes every month. Now the battery is dead.

Q1: About to try to jump start it. Will it be enough to just drive it around for 20 min if I get it started, or do I need a trickle charger (may be a pain to source in this country), or do I need to source a new battery, or what?

Q2: If the alarm starts going off again and I can't seem to shut it off because the battery in my key is also dead, is there anything I can do other than crawl into the trunk from the cab (lol), open the trunk from the inside, then disconnecting the battery?

Regards, and apologies for being a dum-dum. Insanely busy with work and no time for this car anymore.

[ctuna]

You need to buy a battery tender if you haven't got one .
For your immediate problem jumping probably won't cut it.
You need to put a long slow charge on the battery .
The charge point is under the hood.

[oathed]

Tyvm. Something like this, I assume?: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FRLO9Y (Source: https://www.youcanic.com/charge-bmw-battery-right-way/)

It'll take about two weeks to get to me. Is there a cheaper/better alternative? I'm understanding that just driving it around won't charge the battery sufficiently, is that correct?

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by oathed

Tyvm. Something like this, I assume?: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FRLO9Y...

For 21% of that price, you can get a charger that will either "Trickle Charge" at about 2-Amp charge rate, or charge up to 10-Amp Charge Rate, as needed, PLUS it will "De-Sulfate"/ Repair:
https://www.amazon.com/YONHAN-Fully-...s%2C371&sr=8-5

OR, you can pay more for a unit that has been manufactured since 2004, and is ashamed to post its SPECS. But "Everybody Knows" CTEK is the "leading edge" of technology (in 2004, MAYBE ;-).
George

[oathed]

Tyvm. Managed to jump start it and drive it around a few blocks at least. Much appreciate the education.