Car battery - does the brand matter

Mars said:
They've put a lot of effort into the brand again now that AutoX has found its feet after buying the group a few years back. I'd recommend it. It also has a nationwide warranty if you register it with them so its worth the slightly higher price tag.
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This is good news. Will probably pick up the Willard tomorrow morning
 
I would favour batteries which are made in Europe, USA, Australia or elsewhere in the world. I understand that the lead content used in automotive batteries manufactured locally is less pure compared to other countries.
 
www.autotrader.co.za

Which is the best car battery? - Buying a Car

Car batteries are vital to a car’s operation, yet they are one of those oft-neglected items that only come to mind when they fail. The question of which battery is best for your car requires an answer that is a little more complex than you might imagine.
www.autotrader.co.za www.autotrader.co.za

Ask the dealer what they recommend. If it's an auto start stop system, it should probably be a specific brand and type.
 
jellievis said:
I would favour batteries which are made in Europe, USA, Australia or elsewhere in the world. I understand that the lead content used in automotive batteries manufactured locally is less pure compared to other countries.
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Why would you think this? Fry's is the largest lead smelter and they produce the standard of at least 99.97 Pb which is perfect for most applications. First Battery have their own smelter so its hard to know what they are producing but since they have their ISO standard certification there is no reason to believe that they would produce anything less than the industry standard. To do so would be grossly negligent. There is another smelter that belongs to probe (I think), but I'm not even sure if its operational at the moment.

With all the issues with locally manufactured batteries, lead quality is not one of them.
 
geezer said:
No mention of Dixon Batteries, manufactured in Vereeniging?
https://www.dixonbatteries.co.za/ 24 Months warranty on passenger car batteries.
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very good batteries .edit ,ive known Russel the owner now since eary 90s ,sold plenty of their batteries over the years from the workshop .never had issues with the brand .
 
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Obieone said:
Oh crap, not again went through this when Willard ended up been made by Sabat, those batteries would die straight after the 1y warranty expired.
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No issues with SABAT at the moment, replace mine last year. Wife car in 2019 or in 2020.
 
Speedster said:
25 months at anyone who sells Willard by the looks of things

Willard Batteries | Car Batteries For Sale

Willard Batteries, the top-rated car battery brand, offers a range of quality automotive batteries. Approved stockists of genuine products.
willard.co.za willard.co.za
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Might be a small problem with stock in case of warranty though. My car is in at Ford because of the power steering failing, and they think it was the battery, a 652 AGM). The 6 month old Willard did indeed have a fault, but the place I bought it from, only opened yesterday, and there was no other Willard stockist on Joburg with stock of the replacement. Even the place I got it from has given me a loan battery till they get a replacement for me next week.
 
Claymore said:
Might be a small problem with stock in case of warranty though. My car is in at Ford because of the power steering failing, and they think it was the battery, a 652 AGM). The 6 month old Willard did indeed have a fault, but the place I bought it from, only opened yesterday, and there was no other Willard stockist on Joburg with stock of the replacement. Even the place I got it from has given me a loan battery till they get a replacement for me next week.
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interesting about the steering as well ,dont give a Fiat with electric steering a standard battery it goes wonky ,as well as the central locking and windows ,Hyundai and Kia same thing especially the central locking .very common problem .
 
soulie said:
interesting about the steering as well ,dont give a Fiat with electric steering a standard battery it goes wonky ,as well as the central locking and windows ,Hyundai and Kia same thing especially the central locking .very common problem .
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You need to reprogram those things when the battery dies. Thats why backup power needs to be applied while changing the battery. Most of the time the steps to reprogram them is in the vehicles book.
The biggest issue is when people lose the code on their radio's in VW's. Its a huge mission or a expensive visit to the dealer to reset it.

Moral of the story, don't let a monkey with a spanner change your battery.
 
Mars said:
You need to reprogram those things when the battery dies. Thats why backup power needs to be applied while changing the battery. Most of the time the steps to reprogram them is in the vehicles book.
The biggest issue is when people lose the code on their radio's in VW's. Its a huge mission or a expensive visit to the dealer to reset it.

Moral of the story, don't let a monkey with a spanner change your battery.
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The reprogramming is nothing more than letting the ECU that manages the charging of the battery know there is a new battery so it can adjust the charging profile accordingly. It isn't rocket science but you need the appropriate VAGCom cable for VAG cars and know where to make the necessary changes.

As for VW radio codes, dealerships are not allowed to charge for the code according to VWSA, so tell them to get knotted if they do. They may deny you access to the code if you can't prove ownership of the car or walk in with the radio looking like it was relieved of it's position in a car.
 
yip
Mars said:
You need to reprogram those things when the battery dies. Thats why backup power needs to be applied while changing the battery. Most of the time the steps to reprogram them is in the vehicles book.
The biggest issue is when people lose the code on their radio's in VW's. Its a huge mission or a expensive visit to the dealer to reset it.

Moral of the story, don't let a monkey with a spanner change your battery.
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very true ,thats why so many threads go dead with faults on the forum ,the moment you ask what emulator was used ,the author goes away ,if you dont have the OBD tools dont even bother .you mentioned Probe as well ,also very competant batteries ,their alarm and gate batteries are brutes ,very strong .
 
Neuk_ said:
The reprogramming is nothing more than letting the ECU that manages the charging of the battery know there is a new battery so it can adjust the charging profile accordingly. It isn't rocket science but you need the appropriate VAGCom cable for VAG cars and know where to make the necessary changes.

As for VW radio codes, dealerships are not allowed to charge for the code according to VWSA, so tell them to get knotted if they do. They may deny you access to the code if you can't prove ownership of the car or walk in with the radio looking like it was relieved of it's position in a car.
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Its a little more on some vehilces. You need to do some open closes with the windows to set the limits, and some full rotation turns with the steering wheel, some cars like the mini you have to reset the throttle control sensor(or whatever) on the pedal .
The dealerships cant charge for codes, but they can charge for taking the radio out to check the serial number, ect, ect..
 
Mars said:
Its a little more on some vehilces. You need to do some open closes with the windows to set the limits, and some full rotation turns with the steering wheel, some cars like the mini you have to reset the throttle control sensor(or whatever) on the pedal .
The dealerships cant charge for codes, but they can charge for taking the radio out to check the serial number, ect, ect..
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i use a Mobivolt unit connected to the terminals when changing a batt ,cuts out some of the krap
 
Mars said:
Its a little more on some vehilces. You need to do some open closes with the windows to set the limits, and some full rotation turns with the steering wheel, some cars like the mini you have to reset the throttle control sensor(or whatever) on the pedal .
The dealerships cant charge for codes, but they can charge for taking the radio out to check the serial number, ect, ect..
Click to expand...

When replacing a battery? I have had to reset window limits and similar before but not when replacing a battery.

True, if the dealership has to do any labour to assist, it is fair for them to charge.
 
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