New Battery - tips for fitting

[jdp1962]

I think it's time for a new battery. My car is still on the original, and it's seven years old this month. The car starts ok, but the first start of the day is a bit slow, so it seems a good idea to swap it out before it fails.

Did some price checks yesterday at Halfords & an Audi dealer; they came up at £119.99 & £117.49 respectively. I'll try GSF and Trade Parts Specialists before paying that much.

As for fitting, is there anything I need to check for (other than the drain holes whilst the battery is out)? Also, what things will I need to reset afterwards? I realise I'll have to recode the radio, but what about key fobs, electric windows and the like?

Cheers

 

[pjmspeedy]

You shouldn't have to recode anything. Not even the radio as that is coded to your car so will be fine.

 

[jdp1962]

How does GSF's website work? I've tried using the search function by keying in the word "battery", and it doesn't return any batteries. I then tried searching under categories, but even under "Starting and Charging", it didn't return any batteries.

So then I downloaded the latest catalogue, and found the part number 971AA0272. Keyed it into the part number field, and it came back blank.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[quattrojames]

I've not swapped an A4 battery yet, but I remember someone (evilscotsman? whatever happened to him?!) saying you need to be "Geoff Capes" to change it, so it might be worth having a mate on stand by :icon_thumright:

 

[markyzs180]

are you in the rac? had mine changed by them, £99 fitted with 5 year warranty, didn't even get my hands dirty !!!

 

[jdp1962]

I had made up my mind to have the battery done in a month's time, when the car went in to Sanspeed, my local indie, for service and MOT.

About an hour and a half ago, we got in it to drive two miles to the vet, and it was dead. It eventually turned very slowly, and just managed to cough into life.

I realised I'd need to get it replaced right away, today if possible. Only thing is, Sanspeed closes at Midday, and so does Bexley Audi, which we passed on route to the vet. So I was faced with the prospect of paying £125 to Halfords to have one of their monkeys fit it. As we arrived at the parade of shops where the vet is, I remembered there's an independent auto spares shop there as well. I parked right outside it, and while Jill walked Ike 100 yards to the vet, I popped in. A very helpful young man asked me if I wanted a cheap one or a good one. I said I wanted the best he had, and by the way, what was the chance he coud fit it for me? "I'll give it a go", he said.

Out he came with a humoungous Varta Silver Dynamic and a socket set he'd taken off one of the shop fixtures. I'm glad he fitted it. The battery is held in place by a security allen bolt that is near invisible and very inaccessible. I didn't even know it was there.

The whole thing took 20 minutes, and at the end, as I went to put the old one in the boot to take it to the local dump, he said to put it in the shop and he'd take care of it. So, supply, fitting and disposal of the old one, all in , cost £103. That's my idea of a result!

 

[AudiLeon]

Cracking result!

 

[dalespitfire]

I had a Halfrauds monkey do mine. Way too much of a ballache of a job to tackle myself in the snow and ice in January.

He was enthsiastic if not that competent but he got there. Not a bad price too. Bosch Silver with 5 year guarantee for £114.

 

[jolly14]

Hi there,

I've just bought a new battery from uk battery sales in sandwich kent, it was a sealed varta battery with a 4 year warranty for £67 and they will help you fit it.

It helps to shop around and i had no problems after fitting

 

[quattrojames]

Sure is the month for batteries :icon_thumright:

 

[jdp1962]

It helps to shop around

Of course it does, but I didn't have that luxury.

I can't complain. The car was seven years old this week, and that was the original battery.

 

[Mike B]

Why not charge up instead . A good battery will last longer than7 years. Mines over 6 years old and came to me really low last summer with a 2.5 TDI .Took a weekend to charge and has gone through the winter outside with noloss of performance but I will give it a boost again .Much cheaper and less hassle.