Posted 1 day ago

Audi battery replacement

Hi all,
My 2020 Audi A3's battery (start/stop) has died. I'm looking for a new one and was just reading about the replacements. It sounds like when a new battery is fitted, they need to be registered onboard system (reprogram?). I'm not an expert and was just wondering if my roadside assistance AA usually does this. I know they carry batteries, but do they register the battery too?
Will Halfords / euro car parts perform with registering battery if I opt for a new one? Thanks in advance!
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  1. Sprograt's avatar
    Those definitely need the new battery to be registered to the vehicle, as the vehicle battery ages the alternator compensates and increases the charge going into it, if you don't register the new battery the vehicle will not know a new battery has been fitted this still charging the new battery at the higher output which will damage the new battery.
    If you live anywhere near to Bolton I would be able to register the battery for you with my scan tool.
    deep0184's avatar
    Author
    Thanks for the info and offering to help, I'm hoping to get this sorted next week
  2. Bokstas's avatar
    I work at Saab as a mechanic and do agree that EFB chemistry batteries are crap( but cheaper a lot), we never fit them when servicing cars. And NO, battery does not need registering. All done automatically, engine control unit detects how much charge needed and at what amperage and controls alternator for that matter.
    cliosport65's avatar
    All VAG car batteries from a certain year require registering from the ECU as it won't work correctly (edited)
  3. Gj9382's avatar
    All those saying the battery shouldn't have failed within 4 yrs are correct, for older style batteries.

    Uunfortunately around 2016 VW Group decided to change from AGM to EFB chemistry batteries, which in a word, are crap.

    Both myself, my father, brother in law and father in law have all had to change out their EFB batteries for AGM before the 4yr mark on their Golf's and Tiguans.

    All were changed to Bosch AGM
    You can pick these up from Tayna batteries online for the cheapest price. 096 is the size code you're looking for.

    On the flip side we have a 2014 Octavia with an AGM battery which is still original and car is on 103k. Goes to show the difference in the chemistry as the platform cars are the same as the Golf and Tig.
    Im in Cornwall if you need coding doing but in all honesty it won't make too much of a difference.
    thenormalone's avatar
    In case anyone is reading, avoid Tayna like the plague. Bought an AGM stop/start battery where stop start would not work circa 2 year mark. Returned it back under their 3 year warranty and paid £20 for the convenience to be told it was testing at ample voltage to start and car and they wouldn't replace. Bought a new AGM battery from elsewhere and all is hunky dory
  4. TheUrbis's avatar
    AA will be able to reset it, Halfords Autocentre would too. Euro won't.

    I'm more concerned why you need a new battery on a 2020 motor, though?
    yorkie12's avatar
    The 'Stop Start' battery on our Land Rover lasted 11 years , the last 4 years it wasn't powerful enough to run the stop start but not a problem to me. Three years from new battery doesn't seem very good to me either.
  5. Rimi's avatar
    4 years and battery dead? That' very short lived. I have Toyota Avensis 16reg start/stop and battery is as good as was new. 107k done. Don't think battery needs registering, no. Just replace and drive. ECU will do the job here, as who say they can program/register battery just makes money out of this. (edited)
    Gj9382's avatar
    See my post above re EFB that VAG insist on using since 2016.

    Battery does need registering, yes.
  6. ansonuk1's avatar
    I think euro car parts do a fitting service for a fee not sure if they would meet your needs. I was in there the other day and a guy was picking up a click and collect Bosch battery he'd got it on 20% off promotion and they were doing 4 year warranty. He told me it was the cheapest out of the four brands they were offering.
  7. Visionm's avatar
    Can recommend the AA if you're a member - otherwise I think they charge extra £35 for fitting. Guy came to my home, confirmed by testing that battery needed replacing. Went off to buy battery from local euro car parts. There were 2 Bosch units which were suitable and he bought the lower rated one at ,£285. I asked him to fit the one I had ordered on their website, which was 15 more. No trouble at all and off he went and came back with the correct model. Fitted and registered to car. And cheaper than ecp sell on their website for part only . Bosch s5a15 model - just checked and it's £315 on ecp, who only offer 3 year warranty. AA is 5 years (edited)
  8. wpj's avatar
    I had to have a new battery (6 years) in an A3. I thought that it was cheap when given the price over the phone, but the wrong one had been bought. More expensive correct one sourced and had to be registered.

    I bought from Costco previously for my wife's A4, but that wasn't stop/start and no registration required.
    deep0184's avatar
    Author
    Can I ask where did you buy yours and how you managed to register?
  9. MonkeysUncle's avatar
    A local garage can reset it easily I would have thought.

    You could DIY with an OBDeleven device for about £50 and £20? Subscription for the year.

    It will work without resetting and coding but it will fail quicker as the ECU only knows the old charging cycles etc.
  10. TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    The Halfords £50 membership includes a free battery fitting. Not inc the battery itself, obviously.
    Info to bear in mind (edited)
    deep0184's avatar
    Author
    Thank you, I noticed that too while looking for new batteries . I was just worried when I read about registering the battery onboard in some sites and was wondering if that's something that can only be done by authorised dealers. Some sites even suggested that if this wasn't registered properly, the output voltage/amps (sorry I don't recall the exact statement) could be different !
  11. Mahir_Qz5's avatar
    I would check the battery itself to see if it has any warranty. some batteries come with 5 year warranty. If thats the case, then you have something to show Audi and try get it changed. Also with the multiple short trips and low mileage, i'd suggest turning off the stop start so your next battery maybe lasts longer
    deep0184's avatar
    Author
    Thank you, I have an extended warranty and unfortunately battery is excluded
  12. madoka_ayukawa's avatar
    Reading all the posts makes me feel I've been cheated by Mazda and their stop and start system. Bought 2 Mazda 5 (one was written off by an uninsured driver, so replaced with another). Both start stop system failed within a year (replaced the first one with the first Mazda, bought at 3/4 years old, but that failed after a year and I just left it, I just hated the stop start. Bought the second one at 3 years old and the stop start failed after a year also, but again, i just left it. I don't miss it, all there is a flashing logo on the dash, doesn't bother me).
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