So I’m debating between the ctek 56-959 (8 step) vs the ctek 56-158 (4 step). Not really sure the difference but I just need a basic plug and play for the car that is in the garage. There are also two cig adapters.

CTEK (56-158) MULTI US 3300 12 Volt Fully Automatic 4 Step Battery Charger
CTEK (56-959) MUS 4.3 TEST&CHARGE 12 Volt Fully Automatic Charger and Tester
CTEK (56-263) Comfort Connect Cig Plug
CTEK (56-870) Comfort Indicator Cig Plug
I’m not sure if the battery indicator on the cig adapter is necessary because I believe on the ctek unit itself, it tells you the charging progress.

Do you plug in one side of the ctek to a 120v wall outlet in the garage and connect the other side of the ctek to the comfort cig plug that then plugs into the 12v plug-in located in the trunk?

Do you need extension cord or is the ctek cord long enough to get to the wall outlet?

Does that 12v plug-in connect directly to the car battery that’s behind the passenger seat?

The plug can change based on the year of your AM. So make sure you get the right one to match up.
If you have questions, reach out to the guys at Woody's Custom Shop or read thru their site.

I did see that there is now a new 8 step 5.0 CTEK available. I went with the previous 8 step 4.3 as everything I read implied the 4 step charger was really just a battery maintainer and the 8 step was both a charger and maintainer that had the ability to bring back the battery if needed.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CTEK-MX...4AAOSwIQdZOFFj

I have a 2013 v8 Vantage. There is a 12v cigarette plug-in that’s located in the trunk on the right side of the rear. Is the 12v plug-in socket “live” when the car is off? Meaning, does it charge the battery (is it connected directly to the battery) directly when you plug the ctek using the cig adapter automatically?

The 40-206 MSX 5.0 is actually cheaper and newer than the 56-959 MUS 4.3?

It actually would be good to have a maintainer and a charger in case the battery gets old and needs to be brought back to life. Even though I heard once batteries start dying, you can’t really charge them back since they don’t hold a charge that well.

CTEK 40-206 MXS 5.0-12 Volt Battery Charger
CTEK (56-959) MUS 4.3 TEST&CHARGE 12 Volt Fully Automatic Charger and Tester
There is also this one but I have no idea if it’s good but it’s the priciest one out of the three models.

CTEK (56-353) MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger

Yes. It’s live all the time. Where I place mine - boot plug.

Can be be a little touchy if adapter becomes slightly ajar - like you touching cable, it will lose its connection. Best to check the maintainer pretty regularly to ensure connection.

I tested the 12v cigarette plug inside the trunk today using a phone charger. I could not get it to stay live. It would turn on and turn off. I tried rotating it and pulling it halfway, pushing it all the way in, etc but nothing worked. I checked the wires behind it and it looks clean. Nothing looks damaged. Anyone have this problem?

Check inside the boot cig receptacle. There may be debris or you cracked the tip of the CTEK. If all else fails, buy new CTEK cig adapter, or first try inside cig lighter. Or even connect direct to battery.

Not for me There is a little ball bearing in the center of connector. If may not be centered properly. Or this plastic holding it is cracked. Try the console cig lighter.

Unfortunately, console cig lighter is doing the same.

I probably have to connect directly to the battery behind the passenger seat. For those that connect, to the battery directly, do you leave your passenger window down or do you just leave the door ajar?