John N

Over inflate the tyres to prevent / reduce flatspotting (I had to let mine down this week because it suddenly got hotter) and chock the rear wheels, leaving the handbrake off. Trickle charge the battery with the low setting on your charger or get one of those super duper C-TEK ones (mentioned on this site). Or take the car a little more frequently than once a week until you know what you can get away with. Mine needs a large reserve because it has to power the glow plugs and start a diesel, more work than starting a petrol. As for the keys, I think they were still synced as it could operate the locks and immobiliser etc. after charge. The trick was to get it out of accessory mode into run mode. JN

No, I've done that before - this was just down to non-use for 10 days. A full days charge and a few hrs. the next morning did the trick. It seems that when the car slips that low it goes into accessory mode, and maybe this is why it wouldn't jump. To fix that you have to hold the fob next to the starter button whilst depressing the brake pedal (logical - but works) the button turns green and you're ready to go. Wierd things, new cars. Apparently it's in the handbook, but I couldn't see it. Anyway, thanks for your reply, reminders never hurt. JN

Last used 31/03 (I think). Perfect. Went to start it today and it won't go. Tried getting a jump of a Hilux and nothing. Put the battery on charge but something is not right. The charger seems to be cutting in out at irregular moments - and a meter across the terminals shows only 5v. I would assume the battery is done for but it's a 66 plate with only 21k, infrequent journies, never short. The system now is not recognising the fob (possibly because of the battery) and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why a battery (if it is that) should die so suddenly. My drive is on a slope. I've chocked the rear wheels as I'm concerned about failure of the electronic handbrake if the battery loses whatever it's got lost. Was this necessary? When I bought the car the dealer (franchised) said don't leave things on to long without running the engine - perhaps 10 days is to long. I have an 'expert' nearby (used to be a VW mechanic). He advises not disconnecting the battery but to keep on charging even though there are times when a clicking noise is coming from the engine bay. He says this is due to the canbus wiring system used in most vehicles today. It's all a long way from testing with a hydrometer, and replacing battery. Thanks in advance.

Thanks very much for the confirmation. Contrary to the original post I have now found a little flashing diode indicating (I believe) alarm activation. It's not very bright and almost invisible in daylight but to the right of the steering wheel is a small diode that flashes green when the fob is in range and red at all other times. That the dealer didn't know this doesn't inspire confidence, but he is not alone. I use forums such as this for paddling, pedaling and photography and generally find the 'RIGHT' answer on them. I'll be asking more 'stupid' questions - this is a long way ahead from my 21 y.o. Volvo it has replaced.

New owner of a near new 2016 OUTBACK 2.0D PREMIUM. I like cars with a bit of longevity in them and fingers crossed this will be right up there with my previous 2 Volvo estates. Needless to say it's the first car I've driven with so many buttons and bells that half the time I don't know whether I'm coming or going. This is not helped by a dyslexic issue I have and a handbook(s) the size of the bible! But of more immediate concern is whether I'm activating the alarm correctly. On the key fob I'm closing the car with a single press of the LOCK button for which I get a single flash of the indicators. The dealer tells me this is correct. I need a little reassurance. I get no little chirp to advise in addition to the indicator flash and I can't see (if there is one) a little flashing alarm diode in the car. Also, I understand that U.K. models are double locked - and I'm not hearing a reassuring clunk! I'm hoping I'm worrying needlessly as it's a long time since I bought a car of comparable age/quality (18 years) and things move on.