New car / battery fail : (

janeb

Member
Hi guys,

Ok so having picked up the car on Sat afternoon, lovely drive home (despite the weather!), once home, hubby and I spent no more than 3 mins fiddling with all the interior toys and radio with the engine off. Try to start the car - no joy! thankfully my hubby jump-started and re-conditioned battery overnight but it was a little disconcerting to have it fail so early on. Presuming given 2 months at the dealer without really moving is the reason and I do have a warranty which is good. Anyone experience something similar? my hubby is taking it to his garage cronies this week to take a good look under the hood, although I have managed to drive it to work today no probs and took her out yesterday with no problems eiether. It just didn't fill me with great reassurance but maybe am worrying too much?
 
Get a drop test done on it to see if a cell has gone down;if so demand a new battery from the dealer.Good luck.
 
The battery could be 4 to maybe 5 year old so perhaps it's time for a replacement.
 
ok PVR, I'm a girl, what is a battery tender?! Ionly found out what a stubby was after joining this site!!! ha ha
 
pvr said:
... unless attached to a battery tender ...
The battery in my ///M failed shortly after 4 years and had to be replaced. I now use a BMW battery tender so will see if that improved the life of the battery.
 
janeb said:
ok PVR, I'm a girl, what is a battery tender?! Ionly found out what a stubby was after joining this site!!! ha ha
I'm sure someone will suggest other brands that are less expensive and work just as well.

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I "killed" my battery in my previous Z in two years, it was not attached to a battery tender. Since then, all my cars are attached to tenders at all time and the life time has gone up to 7 years so far on the oldest that is on a tender (and still working fine).

My X5 that I just sold was still on the original battery after 6.5 years (also on a tender).
 
The best available in the UK is the CTEK XS3600.

An example link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-CTE-XS3600-Battery-Charger-Functional/dp/B000RHWCNY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330952469&sr=8-1
 
Accumate is a very good one. I've been using for years on my track car. Did lots of research before buying and these seemed to do very well. About 50 quid if I remember correctly.
 
And if like me when/if your battery is replaced expect you one touch windows to stop. Looks like they have to be reset (see an old post I just bumped) Right pelarva (sp?) that loos!
 
janeb said:
Hi guys,

Ok so having picked up the car on Sat afternoon, lovely drive home (despite the weather!), once home, hubby and I spent no more than 3 mins fiddling with all the interior toys and radio with the engine off. Try to start the car - no joy! thankfully my hubby jump-started and re-conditioned battery overnight but it was a little disconcerting to have it fail so early on. Presuming given 2 months at the dealer without really moving is the reason and I do have a warranty which is good. Anyone experience something similar? my hubby is taking it to his garage cronies this week to take a good look under the hood, although I have managed to drive it to work today no probs and took her out yesterday with no problems eiether. It just didn't fill me with great reassurance but maybe am worrying too much?

Exactly the same thing happened with me, though I was playing for 45 mins and charging my phone too :oops: Had only had the car 5 mins :D
 
So the other 40 minutes was from when you did not own the car then? :poke:
 
I've never used a battery tender, nor have i ever needed to change a car battery.... but then with the exception of my Z i have always used my cars as daily cars.

Think my first golf was over 6 years from New when i had that... and had to change everything - except the battery!

What sort of idle duration would warranty a battery tender? Used less then a few hours a month?
 
I tend to put mine on the tender if away for a week or more,
especially if the temps are under about 5 degrees.
 
I put mine on trickle charge every couple of months, be aware of the vapour build up so open the boot on your ///M, obviously the light will come on when you open it, so lock the boot with the key (whilst it's open :D ) :thumbsup:
 
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