When to change batteries

[chief]

Hi guys,

I am wondering when do most of you change your car battery?

1. When its completely flat and the car doesn't stalls / doesn't start
2. When the voltage drops
3. After x years regardless if its still working.
4. Any other criteria

My previous e46 I didn't change the battery for 4.5 years but I am still curious to know when would be a good time as I wouldn't want be stranded on the road side because of a flat battery.

Cheers
Chief

 

[moots]

I change my battery when it is flat.Thru my many years of driving and having gone thru many cars,the unfortunate happens when I have the car at home,unable to start in the morning.

Some ori BMW batteries lasts as long as 7 years.
You can check the charge by testing it on load...at any elect w/shop.

 

[Fadhlan]

My battery lasted for 7 years. Then the battery low signal came up, so I changed my battery. So yes I wait until it gets flat.

 

[astroboy]

What is battery low signal?

 

[Scissorshand]

What are the symtoms if any?

 

[Fadhlan]

It came out with 'battery low' on the iDrive. So immediately I have it changed. No symptoms before that.

 

[chief]

Thanks for the reply guys. It is a relieve to know that the low battery signal comes up before it goes completely flat.

Astroboy, I am assuming the signal is the one that appears on the display.

 

[astroboy]

Me no i-drive..

 

[pkleng]

Another symptom would be when you start the engine and it takes longer in cranking than usual, then signs of battery weakening.

 

[jag]

just changed my ori car batteries after been using it for 6 years and 8 months.. the old battery still manage to start up but it takes several cranking especially in the morning.. so decided to change to a new one today.. enough of pushing my luck since few months back when the symptom of the low batt started to arise.

 

[DanzE90]

where do u buy the battery from & does it require registration?

 

[magpie]

Hi Bro,

what is the damage for changing the battery? Thanks

 

[rayncc]

I recently changed the battery on my 325i. Lasted 6 years mileage 98k. I replaced before it went flat completely. Could feel cranking getting 'heavier'. Changed to Century Ultramax ultra high performance (with Blue label); cost me $600.
Very slightly smaller than ori BMW battery (white colour with BMW brand; but mech told me made by Warta; and expensive to replace same) but surprisingly is actually heavier; hopefully value for money with no compromise on quality (no short changed of plates/lead inside?).

 

[mokhtar818]

mine has clocked 120kkm.Still good after 4 n half years.

 

[Nmr Nik Soh]

do we need to resetting when change the battery? my car e90 320d 2011 iDrive

 

[Nailofar]

do we need to resetting when change the battery? my car e90 320d 2011 iDrive

yes, u need to register the new battery.

 

[Nmr Nik Soh]

yes, u need to register the new battery.

why very detail hah, do all the battery workshop can do it??

 

[Nmr Nik Soh]

Today warning sign 'battery low' appear on my idrive so immediately change a new battery but my question is do i need to register the battery? My old battery not totally flat or died and he do a support battery before replace a new battery, he also use his tool to see a voltan on my old battery and it show 501 and my new battery is 945( i have no ideal the number showed maybe it is voltan)

 

[Nmr Nik Soh]

Some workshop told i must to do register my new battery n another workshop told me no need to register bcoz my old battery not totally flat or died when replace the battery..what i must to do hah?

 

[Scissorshand]

Lol! I'd like to know as well, my battery indicator came up last week, gonna change to Century but worry abt the need to register.... Otai here, kindly adv