Replacing The Battery

[creativecody]

Who's replaced their battery? Did you get the new battery from Audi or someplace else? I called Audi for a price for the battery and they quoted me $260. Seem right?

[tanklee]

thats a little high for a battery.. unless that includes labor. $150 for battery and an hr labor in my area

[amz]

It's definitely not an hour labor. Had the battery replaced in my A4, took 20 minutes including adaptations and test drive at my local shop.

[jlaudio]

I've disconnected the battery 3-5 times since new, no programming is needed nor is any adaptation. The additional 5-10 minutes are needed because of the metal brace that holds the battery to the car is sometimes a pain without the correct tools.
Order it aftermarket and do the swap yourself. Or buy the battery through the audi dealer which is just an interstate battery that is OEM branded from interstate battery. your choice

[creativecody]

I've disconnected the battery 3-5 times since new, no programming is needed nor is any adaptation. The additional 5-10 minutes are needed because of the metal brace that holds the battery to the car is sometimes a pain without the correct tools.
Order it aftermarket and do the swap yourself. Or buy the battery through the audi dealer which is just an interstate battery that is OEM branded from interstate battery. your choice

So basically this one?
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/p...369-2147384906

Was also looking at this one
http://www.autozone.com/routine-main...9459_928703_0/

My car is currently in that energy saving mode cause the batter is so low. I thought if that was true the car had to be recoded after putting the new battery in place. Is that right?

[jlaudio]

So basically this one?
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/p...369-2147384906

Was also looking at this one
http://www.autozone.com/routine-main...9459_928703_0/

My car is currently in that energy saving mode cause the batter is so low. I thought if that was true the car had to be recoded after putting the new battery in place. Is that right?

Yes @ interstate battery, no on recoding. you may need to go through an adaptation proceedure if you leave your car off of the battery overnight, but simply swapping you should have no issues.

[creativecody]

Yes @ interstate battery, no on recoding. you may need to go through an adaptation proceedure if you leave your car off of the battery overnight, but simply swapping you should have no issues.

I guess I'm just reading lots of conflicting info now. It even states in the owners manual that it may need to be recoded to get out of energy savings mode.

[jl87]

Yes, the battery needs recoded if you're replacing it. Our cars do enter a low power state when the battery begins failing and unless you update the battery code via VAG-COM the car will not recognize the new battery and exit the power saving mode. It's fairly simple but I did it with an OEM battery so I was certain it would have the correct numbers needed.

[infinkc]

I guess I'm just reading lots of conflicting info now. It even states in the owners manual that it may need to be recoded to get out of energy savings mode.

you do need to code the car with a vag, but there is a work around for a non oem battery without the "BEM" code this will reset the Low voltage display on the car.

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/b8-m...2/#post1430403

1. Viewed the state of the battery in VCDS under 19-CAN gateway > Measuring Blocks > Groups 18,19 and 20

2. Noticed that the battery state of charge was healthy at 77%, but the battery state in MMI was at 10%. This value did not change which explains why the low battery warning was always displayed. After monitoring for 15 minutes with the ignition on, the state of charge was increasing, but the MMI display information did not alter.

3. I viewed the current BEM code in VCDS under 19-CAN Gateway _> Long Adaptation -> Channel 4 -> Battery identification). The code that was stored here was different to the BEM on the battery, so i knew that it hadn't been applied.

4. I applied the BEM code in the following manner - Part number i kept the same as before, then entered the new information as follows;

- (N) Part number - (11 digits) - kept this the same as the previous battery.
- (V) Vendor code - (3 digits) - in my case VA0 for Varta
- (S) Serial number (10 digits, but leaving out the starting 3 digits of manufacturer)

NNNNNNNNNNN VVV SSSSSSSSSS

5. Restarted the car, and behold, the MMI battery state was at 100%!

[jlaudio]

I guess I'm just reading lots of conflicting info now. It even states in the owners manual that it may need to be recoded to get out of energy savings mode.

I've never had to deal with that code, i replace batteries every 4-5 years before it gives me the opportunity to be stranded or have to visit the dealer. i do this for other reasons too, mostly because i run an aftermarket sound system which is tough in itself on oem batteries.
It would make sense that you need coding to reverse the power savings mode. Our cars are pretty smart that instead of leaving you stranded it shuts down non-essentials so you can get to where your going. Post in the regionals that you need to borrow someones Ross-tech VAG cable and offer $20 bucks and be done with it. Or beer. Everyone loves beer.

[creativecody]

I've never had to deal with that code, i replace batteries every 4-5 years before it gives me the opportunity to be stranded or have to visit the dealer. i do this for other reasons too, mostly because i run an aftermarket sound system which is tough in itself on oem batteries.
It would make sense that you need coding to reverse the power savings mode. Our cars are pretty smart that instead of leaving you stranded it shuts down non-essentials so you can get to where your going. Post in the regionals that you need to borrow someones Ross-tech VAG cable and offer $20 bucks and be done with it. Or beer. Everyone loves beer.

Thanks! Yeah...I'm going to a reputable shop tomorrow. I'll have them recode.

[tanklee]

i said an hour labor because thats what the dealership will charge you. and yes, you do have to adapt the batteries due to the b8s having battery management.

[espo4442]

Any tips on getting the metal holder bracket off? Tried last night and felt like I was going to break the plastic piece. I'm assuming the metal bracket is supposed to slide up and out of the plastic fuse tray thing.