New Battery or Recharge?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Canada
Lately my car has been giving me warnings about the low battery. Usually when I don't drive the car for a day and the following day I will start the car with a message on the iDrive "Increased Battery Discharge". The clock will also reset every time this happens. Car gets driven about 20-30 km a day (depends) usually 6 out of the 7 days. Should I replace the battery with a new one or buy a Battery Tender Plus and charge up the battery?
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Indiana, USA
My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
Lately my car has been giving me warnings about the low battery. Usually when I don't drive the car for a day and the following day I will start the car with a message on the iDrive "Increased Battery Discharge". The clock will also reset every time this happens. Car gets driven about 20-30 km a day (depends) usually 6 out of the 7 days. Should I replace the battery with a new one or buy a Battery Tender Plus and charge up the battery?
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Likely the tender will buy you some time but in the end you will still replace the battery. The miles driven seems like it should be OK but there may be a real discharge on the battery when the car is supposed to be off.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
My Ride: 2010 535i M Sport 6MT
Model Year: 2010
It depends on temperature, usage, charge / drain cycle. I have an 8-year old garage queen with 16,000 miles and the original battery load tests OK. It is trickle charged weekly. I would charge your battery with an intelligent charger. Then take the vehicle to an automotive part store where they do battery load testing for free. You will need to remove the trunk liner to provide physical access to the battery posts directly on the battery.
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From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2008 535i:
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From: Toronto, Canada
My Ride: 2012 535i X-driveSpace Grey/Black Dakota, Fineline Anthracite Trim; Executive Package (Rear View, Lumbar, Nav, Voice, SIRIUS, HiFi Pro) Technology Package (Hi Beam Assist, Lane Departure, Blind Spot Detection, Surround View) BMW Apps (Apps, Smart Pho
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IMO, the daily mileage you are driving should be enough to keep the car charged. If your battery is old it is due for replacement but if it is relatively new then you could have 'going to sleep' issues. A charger may help but your driving pattern is accomplishing the same result. I see a new battery in your future.
GL
GL
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Canada
You didn't provide any info on how old the battery is.
Likely the tender will buy you some time but in the end you will still replace the battery. The miles driven seems like it should be OK but there may be a real discharge on the battery when the car is supposed to be off.
Likely the tender will buy you some time but in the end you will still replace the battery. The miles driven seems like it should be OK but there may be a real discharge on the battery when the car is supposed to be off.
It depends on temperature, usage, charge / drain cycle. I have an 8-year old garage queen with 16,000 miles and the original battery load tests OK. It is trickle charged weekly. I would charge your battery with an intelligent charger. Then take the vehicle to an automotive part store where they do battery load testing for free. You will need to remove the trunk liner to provide physical access to the battery posts directly on the battery.
IMO, the daily mileage you are driving should be enough to keep the car charged. If your battery is old it is due for replacement but if it is relatively new then you could have 'going to sleep' issues. A charger may help but your driving pattern is accomplishing the same result. I see a new battery in your future.
GL
GL
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,380
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From: Indiana, USA
My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
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Joined: Oct 2008
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I just had my battery replaced yesterday with a auto repair shop that?s very trustworthy and reasonable in pricing they installed my battery for about $190 my first battery made it a little over six years. I went to start it on morning and it gave me a quick crazy light show on the displays then nothing so it was time to replace.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Gurnee, Illinois
I just had my battery replaced yesterday with a auto repair shop that?s very trustworthy and reasonable in pricing they installed my battery for about $190 my first battery made it a little over six years. I went to start it on morning and it gave me a quick crazy light show on the displays then nothing so it was time to replace.
Did they register your battery with your car? If not, the cars old charging pattern may ruin your new battery quickly.