Battery life?

[SussexCpl]

Hi there folks.

I have 2011 (C6) 3.0tdi Allroad. Just over 2 years ago I replaced the failing battery in my vehicle. Having read about coding issues after battery changes, I took a deep breath and decided to pay the Audi dealership to supply & fit a new one (v. Expensive). They also tested everything to make sure nothing was draining the old battery and the car was given the all clear.

The car was struggling to start recently, so I got it tested by an independent garage who said the battery is only holding c50% of the charge. I don't do a huge amount of long journeys, but the car is (normally) used daily.

Is 30 months a reasonable lifespan for an Audi battery? Would I have any comeback on Audi?

Failing that... Halfords offer a replacement service and fitting for half the price of Audi and it carries a 5 year warranty.

Any advice and / or experience would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Neil.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

 

[NHN]

Tayna do great deals & warranty, check them out.

 

[robertholyoak]

Hi there folks.

I have 2011 (C6) 3.0tdi Allroad. Just over 2 years ago I replaced the failing battery in my vehicle. Having read about coding issues after battery changes, I took a deep breath and decided to pay the Audi dealership to supply & fit a new one (v. Expensive). They also tested everything to make sure nothing was draining the old battery and the car was given the all clear.

The car was struggling to start recently, so I got it tested by an independent garage who said the battery is only holding c50% of the charge. I don't do a huge amount of long journeys, but the car is (normally) used daily.

Is 30 months a reasonable lifespan for an Audi battery? Would I have any comeback on Audi?

Failing that... Halfords offer a replacement service and fitting for half the price of Audi and it carries a 5 year warranty.

Any advice and / or experience would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Neil.

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

Hi Neil
with 45 years of being a motor engineer I can only say that batteries are fickle things, having used over the years both expensive and cheap ones there is no guarantee of longevity, having said that if there are no permanent drains on the battery then I would stay with your idea of Halfords when they reopen
Hope you resolve it soon
Robert

 

[Pee Jam]

I don't think that Halfords will code the new battery, do they have VCDS or similar?

I recently fitted a Halfords battery to my A6 which had no BEM code, so I just incremented the current number that was in the modules coding.

 

[SussexCpl]

Thanks for your comments... I don't have a full VCDS so I think I may have to risk it with Halfords or RAC. Doesn't sound like I'll get much back from Audi if I try and complain about the short life of their battery ?


Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk

 

[desertstorm]

Get a Varta Silver line from Tayna they are the same spec as an audi supplied Varta battery. As long as you swap like for like capacity and technology the car will work out it has a new battery after a while. The action of changing the serial number is what tells the car it has a new battery. It will reset the battery condition and remove any load shedding that the car is doing. By just replacing the battery the car will eventually work out it has a much better battery in place.

 

[corgiepup]

Can anyone shed light I bought my A6 c6 3.0tdi le mans Quattro 2007 last year and recently found out of my car doors or anything left on for 10 to 15mins the battery ends up dead and when I bought it the man said he had a new battery fitted but I dont think he got it coded or even dose my car need it code any help would be great thanks

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[Pee Jam]

As far as I can find out, coding the battery to the car is there to inform the battery management system that a new battery has been installed and to remove any previously learnt battery profile and start again.

I fitted a new battery recently that had no BEM info on it, this is the info that you code in, so I just upped the serial number that was already stored by 1. The battery was exactly the same rating/capacity of the old one.

I would put a new battery in and not worry too much about the coding, I did this on an old A6 with no noticeable problems in the 6 months that I had it.

 

[Sverige]

I don't think that Halfords will code the new battery, do they have VCDS or similar?.

I don’t think Halfords will code the battery with VCDS either. I also think they’re more likely to install it under the bonnet than in the right position in the boot! In short, don’t go to Halfords for work on an audi.

paying through the nose for a dealer to put in a battery which has proven to be of dubious quality is an expensive lesson the OP has hopefully now learned not to repeat. As others have said in this thread, the coding change for a new battery is far from essential. Many many folks on forums have reported they’ve noticed no ill effects from just installing a battery and letting the car sort it out.

Best advice is from the guy who said spend your money on a decent battery like a Varta silver, rather than on someone else to fit the battery for you. I chose to go with Banner Powerbull P010040 four years ago and it’s a great battery, performing flawlessly so far.

Daft to pay over the odds for someone else to put in another bad battery IMHO.

 

[SussexCpl]

Thanks for all your help everyone. I went for the Halfords battery, having been pleased with the same manufacturer as one I have previously had in my wife's vw golf. Because they also took the old battery away (useful as our local dump is shut), I went for the fitting service. The last responder is correct in that the guy from Halfords didn't have a clue and I did have to tell him where the battery was! Still it meant that had he messed it up he'd be liable. Long story short, no coding and just had to allow the car's systems to reset ( puncture warning, self leveling suspension) which happened as soon as I started driving. Reset the clock time manually and its been totally fine since. I also now have a 5 year guarantee. Expensive lesson learnt.. Never get an Audi dealer to replace your battery. Coincidentally the dealership that fitted the original battery finally came back also this week (6 weeks after I wrote to them) saying that their batteries are only warrantied for 2 years, but offered to replace it for £368.76. It was short conversation.
Thanks everyone... My advice is as previous writers... Just fit the battery yourself and if you can't code it, don't worry.

Neil

Sent from my GM1913 using Tapatalk