"Weak Battery"

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shinsplint

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Hi chaps,

My 2012 A4 Avant (3.0 Quattro TDI), has displayed "weak battery" this morning. Granted, its been a week or so since I last drove it. During the nicer months it can often only be driven maybe once or twice a week on a long-ish run (family car), as the rest of the time I ride to work.

Under the circumstances, should I wait until the battery finally gives up then buy a replacement, or is it worth buying some sort of trickle charger? The car won't fit in the garage though which could be a problem if I go down that route.

After a quick search the best price I can get a replacement Exide battery is about £152.

Any help appreciated.
 
I would replace the battery. A failing battery puts extra load on other parts of the car. The alternator will be working overtime and the car is likely to let you down at a time when it's most awkward. Also then puts you under pressure to source a part that may not be the best price / quality.
I changed the battery in my 3.0 TDI a few years ago and used a Varta I1. This is essentially the same spec as the OE battery made by Varta who make a good percentage of the VAG OE batteries .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARTA-I1...110AH-920A-AUDI-BMW-RANGE-ROVER/322882457679?

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/i1/
 
Thanks desertstorm, thats very helpful. I have asked the seller whether that specific battery is suitable for my car.

In your opinion, with the type of mileage i'm doing - say 12k per year, and often left a few days in the summer, do you think this would cause a battery to develop a problem?

Given that I do a long run at least once a week, i'd have thought that should fully re-charge the battery?

We are away in the car for a few days next week, when the car will be driven most days. I'll see if the message re-appears and go from there.
 
Can I also ask, do these batteries need to be coded and registered? Thanks.
 
It's not the best way to run a battery as it is constantly in a state of slow discharge over a period and then full charge. The best way to get the most life out of a battery is use it every day and do at least 10 miles to top it back up.
It's best to code the battery if you can as it tells the battery manager that a new battery is installed. If you use a similar battery to the OE one then you just need to change the serial number by one digit . Most new batteries people fit don't have a BEM codes and a lot of people don't code the car. This is OK but if the battery manager has started shutting things off because it knows the battery is duff it takes some time to realise that a new battery has been fitted. The action of entering a new code tells the battery manager that it has a new battery.

http://lang.bannerbatterien.com/banner/files/Newsletter_Technik_GB3.pdf
 
When i had my beemer E39 the battery was for ever going flat ( common problem ) so i got one of those solar panel chargers, stuck it on the parcel shelf & problem solved
 
I had this on my a4 at the end of March , charged it up and not had a problem since
 
Temperature has picked up since March, less heater fan blowing, longer days so no headlights, no auxilliary cabin heater, thinner oil in the engine when it's being started, etc etc. Batteries get a much easier time when it's warmer in the summer. It's likely to cause you issues when it goes cold again in October /November .
 
@shinsplint and @Rich76 , if your cars are on their original battery, they’re both probably due for replacement. A life span of six or seven years is really at the outer limits. Like @desertstorm says, change now before the next bad weather cycle.
 
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