Do I need to change car battery if my battery is still working fine after 2 yrs?

[hammer99]

I saw the portable jump start selling in other forums for $138 but that is the price of a new battery. Might as well change to a new battery or its more beneficial to carry a jump start along? As for those maintenance battery, does it die all of a sudden or give signs like difficulties in starting before it goes dead? I've a volt meter in my car and it still shows 13+ to 14 when engine is running.

Correct me if I'm wrong, a flat battery when measure the voltmeter (between +ve and -ve) still shows readings between +12 to +16V. It is the ampere (current) that matters right ??

[spyder_696]

Correct me if I'm wrong, a flat battery when measure the voltmeter (between +ve and -ve) still shows readings between +12 to +16V. It is the ampere (current) that matters right ??

yup, its the amp that drives the battery... but low voltage also equal low amp right... i return all to teacher le... hee...

[nxgadgets]

Correct me if I'm wrong, a flat battery when measure the voltmeter (between +ve and -ve) still shows readings between +12 to +16V. It is the ampere (current) that matters right ??

The term "flat battery" usually means low voltage. Meaning voltmeter reads 11+ volts then mechanic usually will tell you battery flat, need to change.

Low volt on battery means it is "flat", but does not mean the battery needs to be changed. Sometimes just get the mechanic to change it for you and it can still be used. For eg, if you go overseas for 2~3 weeks, the battery may go flat as there is no charging for that period.

The critical thing is cranking ability of the battery. A battery with normal readings on the voltmeter does not necessarily mean it can provide the ampere to crank the engine. That's why a lot of us get stranded in the carpark. The battery volt reading is normal but we just can't crank the engine.

The Battery Bug monitors the cranking ability in terms of %. When it detects that the cranking ability falls below 10%, it will sound an alarm after you turn off the engine. This prevents you from driving the car around with an alarm ringing all the way.

When the alarm goes off, you can still continue driving for a few weeks but would need to start looking for the best deal to replace your battery as soon as possible as the battery would not be able to crank your engine soon.

You can read more by downloading this brochure below.
http://www.argusanalyzers.com/fileadmin/user_upload/support/monitors/Literature/BatteryBug_brochure.pdf

[totallypatrick]

The term "flat battery" usually means low voltage. Meaning voltmeter reads 11+ volts then mechanic usually will tell you battery flat, need to change.

Low volt on battery means it is "flat", but does not mean the battery needs to be changed. Sometimes just get the mechanic to change it for you and it can still be used. For eg, if you go overseas for 2~3 weeks, the battery may go flat as there is no charging for that period.

The critical thing is cranking ability of the battery. A battery with normal readings on the voltmeter does not necessarily mean it can provide the ampere to crank the engine. That's why a lot of us get stranded in the carpark. The battery volt reading is normal but we just can't crank the engine.

The Battery Bug monitors the cranking ability in terms of %. When it detects that the cranking ability falls below 10%, it will sound an alarm after you turn off the engine. This prevents you from driving the car around with an alarm ringing all the way.

When the alarm goes off, you can still continue driving for a few weeks but would need to start looking for the best deal to replace your battery as soon as possible as the battery would not be able to crank your engine soon.

You can read more by downloading this brochure below.
http://www.argusanalyzers.com/fileadmin/user_upload/support/monitors/Literature/BatteryBug_brochure.pdf

Thanx for the detailed explaination. What is a recommended MF battery ? Amaron, Panasonic?

[nxgadgets]

From what I heard from my customers, their experience with MF batteries wasn't very good. Most commonly, they found that MF batteries would fail suddenly. Some did not even last 6 months. That's based on their feedback, not my experience though.

[lyh1280]

I Hv changed mine 3 times, 1st time under warranty fr TC, 2nd time changed by TC towtruck at special price, 3rd time luckily oso under warranty (as 2nd batt not yet 1 yr). Anyway, all 3 times noticed hard cranking when starting the car, took longer time than usual.. and pls DONT DOUBT this symptom/ problem, change immediately while u still can start/drive the car to any shop to change when u notice this before it dies on u.. :) My 2nd time was I keep on delaying for 2 - 3 days until it died.. hehe..

Hello all,
Changed mine for the 4th time during my servicing on Tues, oso ~11mth old, got it FOC after argue with TC tat batt cannot last me >1 yr.. The SE initially said Batt warranty is 1 yr, OR 20K mileage.. err.. anybody knows standard Batt life warranty tie-up to mileage oso?

don know about the batt problem tis time (mng ctart-up/cranking all ok), drove in as usual to TC ubi, they immediately tested the Batt (they do this after u parked ur car), and report came out and said mine no good le, need to change. Now i hv new Maintenance Free Batt again, c how long tis 1 can last.. :)

[leolooi]

ya bro i just encounter this on my friend recently...she had her batt changed last year...with having sligthly above 20k and one year few mths...the batt went dead again.....had no choice but to call in and help to change but not as lucky cos they still charge her for the batt despite complaining and arguing..... not sure is it better to change into dry cell.....

[Ender]

Hello all,
Changed mine for the 4th time during my servicing on Tues, oso ~11mth old, got it FOC after argue with TC tat batt cannot last me >1 yr.. The SE initially said Batt warranty is 1 yr, OR 20K mileage.. err.. anybody knows standard Batt life warranty tie-up to mileage oso?

don know about the batt problem tis time (mng ctart-up/cranking all ok), drove in as usual to TC ubi, they immediately tested the Batt (they do this after u parked ur car), and report came out and said mine no good le, need to change. Now i hv new Maintenance Free Batt again, c how long tis 1 can last.. :)

Seem like your all your battery can't last more than a year. Could it be something about your car that's draining the battery? Sometimes a faulty wiring that short to ground, can cause leakage. Do you have any mod on your ride?

FYI, my stock battery lasted 2 1/2 years, so don't think TCM battery is that bad.

[vortex]

Mine is also with the stock battery for 2.5 years already. Hearing all the feedback, will probably change it for my next servicing at TC. How much do they charge if the car is still under the warrently period ?

For bros with frequent battery failures, do you have lots of ICE installations. I'm not sure if it shorten the battery's life span. You may need to upsize the battery. I also make it a practice to switch off the aircon before turning off the engine.

[Zippy]

Mine is also with the stock battery for 2.5 years already. Hearing all the feedback, will probably change it for my next servicing at TC. How much do they charge if the car is still under the warrently period ?

If your batt under 1yr old, it's free. If your batt under 2yrs old, u pay 50%. If your batt under 3yrs old u pay 75%. Something like that...

[vortex]

If your batt under 1yr old, it's free. If your batt under 2yrs old, u pay 50%. If your batt under 3yrs old u pay 75%. Something like that...

Thanks bro. U know what is the price before discount? How much does one cause outside ? Will get from outside if TC still more exp after the 75% discount.

[space2638]

it is very hard to jump start a latio battery... till date after 3 attempts, i never succeed... i think u need super thick jump start cable... not the thin ones that i have... if at NSHW, i dnt think it is good idea or got chance to jump start our car, unless u have super long jumpstart cable... otherwise both car will be facing front... cable sure not long enough...

Bro.. how u connect the battery? U shldn't connect battery to battery for both cables leh... It should be the battery postive to positive, and while u connect negative from the host's battery, the negative terminal shld be to the suspension mounting lug nut..(i.e. shld be the same as grounding tt type). not sure if that's the correct term

I using lousy ******** cables very thin one time can start le..haha.. Host car rev to 2.5krpm can liao... (Host car is a Mit Lancer 1.6 GLX)

[space2638]

Forgot to mention that my battery died cos I was doing DIY soundproofing to my car doors and boot area.. left audio on to 'enjoy' music. hahaha.. didn't know time passed so quickly.
3 hours later, the battery was dead. but after jumpstarting and running it for 20 minutes the battery is back to normal.
I drive 90% hway so maybe that explains why my battery is so healthy. Got link right? cos at high speed (110km/h) the alternator is spinning faster so the charge is better.
Whereas the Amaron Maintenance Free batt on my dad's car does only 8km per day and it can't last more than 1.5years. My stock Latio battery is turning 2.5years old in August and only 3 Cranks to start.

[pizzaboy]

Fiamm from italy is gd!
Can last more than 3 yrs and voltage readin still strong at 14.2V

[jliow]

Fiamm from italy is gd!
Can last more than 3 yrs and voltage readin still strong at 14.2V

How much is Fiamm, how is Fiamm compared with Varta?

What battery specs should we be looking at, I mean..like tyres, we've got 195/60/R15, not sure if any for batt.

Thanks

[Goontat]

Need to change battery 2yrs+ - TCM ubi quoted less 25% . The brand INDIGO from Korea, any bro and sis use this brand? It is ok...coz going there 2moro already Thanks!

[artmachinesg]

Goontat: I'm going for 30k servicing tml as well. Ubi Service Centre?