When Do YOU Replace Your Battery?

[JKO_ZHP]

In my previous E46, I only replaced the OEM battery (with a 49DL) after it wouldn't start two times in a row. I called AAA the first time since I wasn't sure what the problem was and it was after they tested it that I found out that the charge was low.

Now, even though it is getting cold, I have problems starting the ZHP up after long periods of inactivity. I learned that the OEM battery's color indicator isn't reliable (the last one was green even though it was basically dead). So far, it's always started up after the second try though but it seems a good time to replace (with another 49DL, good CCA)

What do you use to determine when it's time to change your battery?

[kayger12]

I'm a preemptive changer.

New battery every four years.

I'd rather never have to worry about getting stranded or dealing with the goofy low voltage gremlins our cars have.

[az3579]

I'm a preemptive changer.

New battery every four years.

I'd rather never have to worry about getting stranded or dealing with the goofy low voltage gremlins our cars have.

This.


I only replaced mine after not understanding why my car refused to get Shark Injected. Otherwise, everything worked perfectly. Changed it out anyway just to be sure and lo and behold, it sharked. It's never worth arriving to a car with a dead battery.

[danewilson77]

And it's only a hunabux or so.

[Washburn]

I kept my factory battery for 8 yrs almost. It was cranking slow, and only when I replaced it recently did I realize how much I needed a new one. made a huge difference in starting - it's so fast it's like it hardly cranks now - instant starting.
From now on I will replace it every 5 yrs just for peace of mind and not risk alternator, etc.
$118 bucks at Walmart: and more CCA than the OEM
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...923#post226923

[danewilson77]

I will replace mine, whenever I want to.

[Whitexi]

That's the odd thing when I had my E46, it had a 6 year old OEM battery and it never skipped a beat in the 4 years I had the car. Accessory on etc no issue. I had read that pepboys sells the identical bosh OEM battery minus the BMW logo for half the price.

[danewilson77]

A lot of good answers in here. Hard data shows typical failure occurs around 5-7 years.

[az3579]

A lot of good answers in here. Hard data shows typical failure occurs around 5-7 years.

And sometimes that failure isn't even failure, just "symptoms". These batteries last quite a while!

[Avetiso]

When I start experiencing difficulty starting.

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