Has lockdown killed your car's battery?

[genetic]

Rofl, I guess Volkswagen can't do that for batteries they need to replace under warranty, can they? Although personally I wouldn't mind. They were most insistent about this point though, that they had a big order in with Germany.

Batteries can be serviced outside of manufacturers warranty and don't affect your warranty plan... same as windscreen wipers and light bulbs.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Batteries can be serviced outside of warranty and don't affect your warranty plan, same as windscreen wipers and light bulbs.

Yeah, but it VW wants to pay for it, who am I to argue? I was actually pleasantly surprised that they said it would be covered. Maybe that's some admission on their side that there is a battery fault they're aware of?

 

[genetic]

Yeah, but it VW wants to pay for it, who am I to argue?

Well in that case, they're not technically paying for it. You did when you purchased the car.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Well in that case, they're not technically paying for it. You did when you purchased the car.

All the more reason I should let then pay for it and not follow your advice then, yes?

 

[genetic]

All the more reason I should let then pay for it and not follow your advice then, yes?

If they're paying for it out of warranty, then obviously!

Don't know your point otherwise?

If your battery died that quickly, then either you have parasitic drain (which I suggest you get checked - and don't just go with what the stealership says) - or you got dealt a lemon.

Either way it's not normal.

 

[TheChamp]

Leaving the car on idle for 30 mins does not charge the battery, in fact you making it worse. You charge the battery by driving

How are you making it worse?

 

[genetic]

How are you making it worse?

By posting his kark here?

@superskully as long as an alternator and regulator is running, the battery is charging.

 

[TheChamp]

I have a tracker installed. I don't even mind the battery running flat after ten days of standing. What I find weird is that after that, the battery wouldn't hold charge for more than two days. I literally had to keep driving it or else...

Why should one run-flat incident toast a modern battery?

Rofl, I guess Volkswagen can't do that for batteries they need to replace under warranty, can they? Although personally I wouldn't mind. They were most insistent about this point though, that they had a big order in with Germany.

I believe the battery could have been brought back to life with a good charger, if it's good enough to last for two days it was good enough, the problem is that it was never fully charged. Obviously VW did not care for the hassle.

 

[Jola]

Had both of my vehicles on trickle chargers, so the batteries are fine.

CTek XS 0.8

I have been through this before, so I don't take chances.

The modern cars have a lot of electronics, and a tracker makes it much worse.

I don't trust my vehicles when standing for more than two weeks.

 

[genetic]

I believe the battery could have been brought back to life with a good charger, if it's good enough to last for two days it was good enough, the problem is that was never fully charged. Obviously VW did not care for the hassle.

VW don't care to diagnose a run of the mill admission, It's quicker just to replace than to actually track down the problem. If warranty covers it - then so what, they've been paid anyway. They go home and drink a beer early.

 

[Nerfherder]

I was having battery issues before the lockdown and it went flat after the first week or so. I just left it as we didn't need to go out and used the wifes car to shop.
After about 5 weeks I thought I may as well get it going as restrictions were being lifted and I might need it.
Charged the battery for about an hour before I could get the car started. Then I drove it for half an hour but was unable to start the car again when I wanted to return home. The battery was flat again, so got a jump start and managed to get home.

I have changed it now, used a mobile battery service and there are no hassles. What a pain though, I do have a tracker but I have always had battery issues.

 

[krycor]

if you have a tracker your car battery would die more often when left standing.

Was about to say this.. there was an article about this just a few weeks/months ago.

 

[maumau]

I believe the battery could have been brought back to life with a good charger, if it's good enough to last for two days it was good enough, the problem is that it was never fully charged. Obviously VW did not care for the hassle.

So if letting the car idle for 30 minutes doesn't charge the battery do you have to drive around for 30 minutes or so

 

[Aghori]

I just started the cars every 3 days and let them idle for 15 mins or so. No batteries died on me.

 

[joker08]

Leaving the car on idle for 30 mins does not charge the battery, in fact you making it worse. You charge the battery by driving

if u have a multimeter, do this test. Check and note the voltage on your car battery, now start the car and then the voltage. Let me know what you see.

 

[TheChamp]

So if letting the car idle for 30 minutes doesn't charge the battery do you have to drive around for 30 minutes or so

If the battery is low enough not to start the car it will need to be put on a charger, driving around for 30 minutes won't be enough. The car's alternator is just good enough to top the battery up, not charge a flat battery.

 

[joker08]

I believe the battery could have been brought back to life with a good charger, if it's good enough to last for two days it was good enough, the problem is that it was never fully charged. Obviously VW did not care for the hassle.

your statement is correct and incorrect, because it depends on the type of battery used. Common lead acid batteries shouldn't be discharged over a certain level because it damages the battery. https://www.victronenergy.com/live/drafts:battery_life

 

[TheChamp]

your statement is correct and incorrect, because it depends on the type of battery used. Common lead acid batteries shouldn't be discharged over a certain level because it damages the battery. https://www.victronenergy.com/live/drafts:battery_life

We are talking about cars so it's generally lead acid, if the battery was able to hold a charge for two days and start the car I would bet good money that there was still a lot of life in that battery.

 

[Captain Beer]

One of my car's batteries went kaput just before lockdown started. Battery Center did a house call and installed a Raylite Nano EFB 652.
My car sat in the garage for almost 8 weeks after that, turned the key on Monday and Bob was my aunty.
I used to swear by Sabat batteries, but recently the Raylites have more than proved their metlle.
Currently running three cars with Raylite batteries and touch wood they're all running like nothing happened.

 

[Smugs]

My bakkie has been used daily so that's no problem but with the continuous night shift my bikes have been standing. Got them on smart chargers though..