SSA6

I searched the forum and read that "coding" may be needed if I replace the car battery. So if I go to AZ or other parts store and purchase an aftermarket battery of equal specs, do I need to go to the dealer to get the battery coded?
I don't have VAGCOM.

What will and will not work in my 2012 A6 Prestige if I replace the battery and do not get it coded? Will it even start? Will ODBeleven or Carista be able to code the battery? (I don't have either yet)

Thanks

uberwgn

What condition is the original battery in? Completely dead?

SSA6

No, not dead. Just thinking for down the road. Car is a 2012 and my experience with my other cars (not Audi) are about 4-5 yrs for a battery.

I carry jumper cables but like to be proactive just in case.

Just curious.

uberwgn

As long as the BEM module hasn't kicked in, everything should still be operating at 100% without any reductions.


I'd hook up with your local VCDS person and have them read the battery's status. It will tell you if you need to be concerned.


It's nice that someone is being so proactive about this kind of stuff. It's very refreshing and mostly unheard of!

newmoon

I'm curious about this as well since I have a 2012.

I came across this article: http://www.bannerbatterien.com/banne...echnik_GB3.pdf

It seems the BEM code is needed to tell the car the characteristics of the battery, which it will use to manage the battery over its life. But you may be able to get away with installing a new battery without a BEM code, especially if the old battery BEM code was not marked as dead by the computer. Then it will supposedly just relearn the characteristics of the new battery.

Anyway, I did buy the CTEK MUS 4.3 Test & Charge charger and it did say my battery was still good, >12.6V.

The battery I have is a Varta, doesn't say AGM:
000 915 105 DL
12V 110Ah 520A DIN
850A EN/SAE

What's in yours?

uberwgn

This VCDS screen is quite handy in determining where your battery is at:





I replaced this battery.

snagitseven

Tom, Why did you replace the battery? Seems like it still had some good life left based on the numbers.

uberwgn

The capacity was low and the battery meter showed only 30% remaining. In addition, it had tripped the BEM once.


Weather was very cold at the time, I wasn't keen on getting stuck. Car was just about 4 yrs old.


Here's the replacement battery:

porksoda

Odd it only lasted 4 years. I am in canada and my batteries usually get about 8ish years.

snagitseven

I'm convinced battery life is determined by miles driven, not just time. Cold climes vs. awrm place more stress as well

Cars all in Colorado and Massachusetts - cold winters

My 2002 allroad - replaced battery once in 2012 at 40K miles (still own at 58K mils)
My 2001 A6 - replaced battery once in 2005 at 45K miles (sold in 2009 at 98K miles)
My 2009 A4 - no battery replacement - (sold in 2012 at 48K miles)
My 2013 A6 - no battery replacement yet at 48K miles - expect soon