Parking for a month in international airport - what things should I do

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

Hi Guys,

I am going to overseas in October for a month vacation. So I am planning to park my Prado in long term car park in Sydney airport for that period.

Since the offer price $199 is cheaper than the up & down from blacktown. Moreover it is really hard to get a taxi with two child seats.

my questions are :

1. Prado will not be having any issues in starting after one month..right?. (This is 2010 GRJ150R VX Petrol which I bought last weekend)
2. Should I need to do anything specific before lock and go.. (I am new to four wheel drive)
3. Last but not least..Is it safe to park in airport..will our insurance cover if something happens.. I am with AAMI (Comprehensive)
Will we get any insurance from airport for the amount we pay as parking fee.
(This is the first time I am planning to do like this)

Thanks in advance..

[Guest Close Guest]

1. Prado will not be having any issues in starting after one month..right?. (This is 2010 GRJ150R VX Petrol which I bought last weekend)

Depending on the current health of the battery, it may or may not be OK when you return. Assuming that it is still on the original factory battery, it could be 3 years old already. If the Prado is low km car, it may have a lot of short trips with the previous owner which isn't a good thing for batteries. Best that you get an expert to do a battery health check.

2. Should I need to do anything specific before lock and go.. (I am new to four wheel drive)

Nothing. Just empty the car of any valuables. you could leave the glovebox open to show Mr Sticky fingers that there is nothing in there woth stealing.

3. Last but not least..Is it safe to park in airport..

Usually, but the airport won't be held responsible if anything happens.

will our insurance cover if something happens.. I am with AAMI (Comprehensive)

Yes

Will we get any insurance from airport for the amount we pay as parking fee.

You'll have to read the T&Cs for airport parking, however, there is probably a "Park at your own risk" statement somewhere.

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

Thanks amts for a detailed reply..

Depending on the current health of the battery, it may or may not be OK when you return. Assuming that it is still on the original factory battery, it could be 3 years old already. If the Prado is low km car, it may have a lot of short trips with the previous owner which isn't a good thing for batteries. Best that you get an expert to do a battery health check.
.

Mine is 108K kms already. but the mechanic who tested mentioned like this in report regarding electrical inspection section

"Alternator charge rate is good, shows: 14.17 V.
The electrical system appears to be in good working order at the time of inspection"

nothing specific about battery..
who is the expert in batteries..NRMA?

[Guest Close Guest]

"Alternator charge rate is good, shows: 14.17 V.
The electrical system appears to be in good working order at the time of inspection"

nothing specific about battery..

That's right. That only assesses the alternator. The battery could be stuffed but the alternator will still happily supply 14.17V.

who is the expert in batteries..NRMA?

NRMA would know but you would have to wait for the roadside assist guy to come to you. There are many places that do a free battery health check like Kmart tyre and auto, Midas, Supercheap. You should probably go to a few as some might be dodgy and try to sell you a new battery even though the current one might actually be healthy.

Seeing as the Prado has done 108K km, then there shouldn't be that many long trips in there. So it's more to do with time. Usual rule of thumb is that batteries are expected to last 4 years. This period then varies depending on what the batteries are subjected to.

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

The airport have booster packs for this exact situ... If you get a flat, they will have a pack to connect to get you going.. Seen it done in Syd.

[Chaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chaser]

battery will be fine. My brother normally hires a car from his local depo and drops it at the air port costs less than 50 bucks each way if thats a option?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Great idea chaser, never thought of doing that myself. Also if leaving the glove box open make sure it doesn't have a light which will send your battery flat. Also we left ours at the under cover as I didn't want it left in the open in case of storms, hail etc. I cant remember what we paid but we had the convenience of having the car to jump into when we got to the airport late at night with a tired 5 year old lol.... I really like chaser's idea will definitely look into this next time we have to leave the car at the airport.....Cheers Steve

[Guest Close Guest]

battery will be fine. My brother normally hires a car from his local depo and drops it at the air port costs less than 50 bucks each way if thats a option?

It'll cost a bit more considering that the OP needs car seats for his kids. Also consider that hiring fromn the airport has extra surcharges. But a good idea for quite a number of people living far from the airport.

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

It'll cost a bit more considering that the OP needs car seats for his kids. Also consider that hiring fromn the airport has extra surcharges. But a good idea for quite a number of people living far from the airport.

Yea. My issue is the two child seats. if I take seven or 8 seater with two child seats cost me around $160 + insurance.

So parking in airport for $199 is better than this option..I can drive to airport while going..that also very good convenience and cheap trip.

I even tried http://bubstaxi.com.au/ they are quoting $269 with 4 passengers, two child seats & 4 suitcases (This rate includes the booking fee, road and airport tolls, and credit card surcharge)

any cheap taxi available with child seat fitted?

I don't know whether I can keep 4 suitcases in my prado which are 20Kg each in the boot space with one seat is up for one passenger..

In the worst case I have to ask my friends to come with my prado on that day. They have to come with one more car..thats the problem.

[Guest Close Guest]

I don't know whether I can keep 4 suitcases in my prado which are 20Kg each in the boot space with one seat is up for one passenger..

In the worst case I have to ask my friends to come with my prado on that day. They have to come with one more car..thats the problem.

Depending on the size, it could be a tight squeeze. You could always try the roof. It'll be useful to have roof racks anyway.

Are there 6 people travelling?

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Yea. My issue is the two child seats. if I take seven or 8 seater with two child seats cost me around $160 + insurance.

So parking in airport for $199 is better than this option..I can drive to airport while going..that also very good convenience and cheap trip.

I even tried http://bubstaxi.com.au/ they are quoting $269 with 4 passengers, two child seats & 4 suitcases (This rate includes the booking fee, road and airport tolls, and credit card surcharge)

any cheap taxi available with child seat fitted?

I don't know whether I can keep 4 suitcases in my prado which are 20Kg each in the boot space with one seat is up for one passenger..

In the worst case I have to ask my friends to come with my prado on that day. They have to come with one more car..thats the problem.

We always drive to the airport (2 kids with car seats as well) and park there. Its cheaper and more convienient for us, even than by train from Sydney. Especially if you need your car seats on the other end. The convienience of getting straight in the car and driving home is also a plus, you don't have to stuff around on the trains with all your baggae. Never had an issue yet, though we park at Blue Emu car park, not International. ($125 for up to 3 weeks)

Not sure about the booster packs, but if you are worried about your battery buy a set of jumper leads from SuperCheap Auto and ask a kind passer-by to give you a jump start

If you get roof racks watch out for any height restrictions:
International At Terminal Car Parks
•Open-air Parking: 3.5 metres
• Multi-Storey Car Park: 2.2 metres
•Pronto Valet Departures: 2.2 metres
•Pronto Valet Arrivals: 2.2 metres

Domestic At Terminal Car Parks
•Multi-Storey Car Park: 2.1 metres, except the bridge link between the park structures on level 3 which is 1.98 metres and clearly signposted. If your vehicle exceeds 1.98 metres, you cannot cross between the two car parks structures.
•Pronto Valet: 2.1 metres as above as this service is located within the multi-storey car park
•Virgin Australia Premium Valet : 2.0 metres
•T2 Valet: 2.0 metres

Blu Emu Car Park
•Open-air Parking: 3.5 metres
•Shaded Area Parking: 2.2 metres

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

Depending on the size, it could be a tight squeeze. You could always try the roof. It'll be useful to have roof racks anyway.

Are there 6 people travelling?

yea..me, wife, in-laws and twin babies.. (4 adults and two infants, 4 - 20KG bags and 2 -10 kg bags(not sure will we take these 10Kg bags...)

I have roof rails but no racks for keeping suitcases..and I hope we need sheet to cover in case for rain..isn't it?

How much a roof rack (used one or new) cost?

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

If you get roof racks watch out for any height restrictions:
International At Terminal Car Parks
•Open-air Parking: 3.5 metres
• Multi-Storey Car Park: 2.2 metres
•Pronto Valet Departures: 2.2 metres
•Pronto Valet Arrivals: 2.2 metres

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Is it possible to reduce the height of 2010-Prado-GRJ150R-VX. when I test drive 2008 grande the dealer showed me to increase and reduce the height of the vehicle. since I am not planning off-road any time soon I am planning to keep low as possible that may help the shopping easier..

I think my prado's Height is 1.89m. (I will measure and update tomorrow) it may increase with the roof rails. I still feel it will come under the 1.93 m of shopping center height limit and 1.98m of height you mentioned in the airport. (without any roof rack or luggage on the roof)

correct me if I am wrong..

[Guest Close Guest]

Is it possible to reduce the height of 2010-Prado-GRJ150R-VX. when I test drive 2008 grande the dealer showed me to increase and reduce the height of the vehicle.

No, only Grandes and Kakadus can lower their height, and only at the rear.

oh and you should have bought a people mover like we told you to.

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

No, only Grandes and Kakadus can lower their height, and only at the rear.

oh and you should have bought a people mover like we told you to.

yea. you are absolutely right. But we don't want to drive a van..

Its our dream SUV. I was thinking about practical things..but my wife was not..she told me only SUV..so my options are limited.

I have done lots of tests to fit two child seats, room for double pram, split third row and easy access to third row..Prado has more flexible as compared to others and the look is irresistible.

Moreover my wife told me that you can buy any SUV now but you have to buy one prado later..then I thought why should we wait.

Anyway we bought it so I am looking for the ways to utilise maximum for our needs..

I feel I will end up in buying a very old small car < 3K for all my local run..