I've never tested exactly how long the "orientation" lights stay on after I've left my car in the garage. As I said, my non-turbo 996 never had the lights so this is a bit new to me. I know it stays on for awhile, unless I use the key remote to lock the car and then everything will turn off. I believe the dash display would stay on for awhile as well if I didn't lock the car.

The orientation light is the tiny amber led on the roof console between the two dome light switches, and another one on the driver door handle that shines on the ignition key hole when the door is closed. Again, it appears these will only turn off if I use the key remote to lock the car.

I left my car sitting in the garage for 2 weeks, and it still started up ok, but I didn't drive it. However when I tried starting it up after 3.5 weeks, then it would not start, so I had to jump it.

 

I have a habit of looking into the garage every night as I walk down the hallway to bed. I've left the garage door open several times so this is now a routine. The garage is pitch dark, so I'd see any light left on in any of the cars, and I never see any sort of courtesy or orientation lights on in the Porsches...and I don't lock them when they're in the garage.

 

If I'm not driving my TT for more than 5 days, then I just hook her up to a battery charger into the cigarette lighter (Porsche Tequipment costs about $100 eBay)...peace of mind.

 

Some anecdotal evidence that when you lock the car, certain internal "hot spots" are shut off which saves battery drain:

My V1 is hard-wired through the passenger side visor (not sure exactly where the wire connects for power bcause it's hidden). When I lock the car the V1 shuts off immediatley (V1 power lights turns off). When I don't lock the car, the V1 power light stays on for at least an hour, maybe longer. The V1 may eventually shut off even when car is unlocked, but for whatever period the V1 is on (> 1 hour), the power source it's connected to is still "hot" (with or without a V1) meaning that the power source is still drawing power from the battery. So, I always lock my car.

Hope this helps. GBG

 

whatever you guys do, if you're leaving for an extended time, don't disconnect the battery and shut the trunk you will have to use the manual trunk release (located on front of the passenger front tire - which you must take off) to get the trunk open to re-connect the battery.

- chuck

 

That is for the older models...the newer ones >'02...all you do is hook up jumper cables to the correct post in the fuse box and the electronic hood mechanism works FWIW. I just leave mine on the maintainer all the time now.

 

It does seem like all these different solutions for getting the car started or disconnecting batteries etc are so easily solved by the battery maintainer......as long as you get a decent one. Which one did you get Wross? $100 for the cigarette lighter model seems a bit pricey...but maybe that's the going rate for a small 2 amp maintainer???

 

are you sure? the jumper cables route didn't work for my 01. the idea was that physically disconnecting the battery broke the circuit. (i would be glad to hear Porsche fixed such a ridiculous thing to begin with.)

unfortunately, i live in a condo w/ a public space garage where a battery maintainer is not feasible.

- chuck

 

Uhhhhh...did you read my post? >'02....you said you have an '01

The other Chuck...I got the interstate one (also got the MTP-93 Interstate battery with 850 CCA)...it is hard wired onto the battery terminals and has a plug that comes out the front...works like a charm...I think I paid <$35.

 

Your hard wired maintainer "has a plug that comes out the front"?? What do you do with the plug when you're driving around.... I take it the plug is stashed somewhere in the grill? Or do you just leave the hood adjar with the wire hanging out and connected to an extension cord when it's sitting in the garage?? If the hood isn't shut tight, the interior light to the compartment comes on.....

 

Those lights will stay on for about 15 minutes and then shut down. I worried over that when I first got my TT too. A Porsche battery maintainer will keep things fresh when you leave your car parked for an extended period.

On topic though, I never lock my car in the garage. I figure 125lbs of GSD is enough deterrent.

 

Actually the plug is in the trunk and I run the cord into the trunk when charging...if you let the hood close, but not latch the light is off.

 

I can verify, that you are supp. to lock it up. on 997's there are quite a few control modules, and if you don't lock it they will go to sleep, only to "wake" every 30 min or so, checking to see what the status of the car is. this process will repeat until it is either locked, or the car is started (or the battery goes dead). this will pull the battery down, and quickly. I seen it happen as fast as 3 days with a 997. and yes the remotes will cease functioning if it's been parked for a few (3 or more) days, but that is just the car trying to conserve battery juice. once you unlock the car and put the key in the ignition it will start working again normally.

Moral: lock your P Car. it will save you aggravation in the future. nothing more irritating than to go to take it out and the battery is dead flat!

 

Gee....another quirk for a $150K car.....how come this never happens with my Dodge truck? Don't get me wrong...love the car, but some of these idiosyncracies are flat out annoying. German engineering? The car goes dead in two weeks?

 

I have the same battery wross has and it is awesome! much better than the factory. I had my car unlocked and on jackstands while in and out of engined compartment while removing exhaust and installing 5 bar FPR and car started fine after 3 weeks. Light from engine compartment was on and off for many minutes as well. A battery tender is a good idea as is a better battery.