Replacing OEM battery S4 B8

[z53dimon]

Hi guys!
Did not find any thread related on battery for our S4 B8. Mine has OEM Varta 110ah, CCA 850 EN with Part Number 8K0 915 105 F .



However, it seems this battery is old one, and I found a replacement battery VARTA Silver Dynamic 110ah but 920 EN with Part Number 610 402 092 316 2

It is also possible to get Exide EB1100 110AH , CCA 850 EN. The same specification as in my original battery.

The question is: is the new Varta with CCA 920A is OK to replace, or it would be better to get Exide with the same specs as original one (110AH / CCA 850 EN)? Some people say it is even better especially during winter, but other think it may be additional load on Starter. What do you guys think?

[LYKUNO]

Don't have an answer for you, but did find this thread on a B8 S4 battery replacement that may help.

[wwhan]

I replaced mine with a Duracell from Autozone: http://www.autozone.com/batteries-st...9459_726808_0/

Many people have gone to a dealer to get a battery.

Well there are a lot of battery posts:


http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/668569-How-many-here-have-changed-their-battery?highlight=battery+replacement

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...hlight=battery

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/668569-How-many-here-have-changed-their-battery?highlight=battery


http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...hlight=battery

[Militant-Grunt]

Mind you, if you have your battery replaced, you need to perform a adaptation for the gateway, instructing it that there is a new battery. Otherwise the battery management in the car is not going to regulate the voltage correctly. Could lead to premature failure of your new battery.

[breyton490]

According to this article, the car's computer will self-adapt if the battery has no BEM code.

Read This

[wwhan]

Mind you, if you have your battery replaced, you need to perform a adaptation for the gateway, instructing it that there is a new battery. Otherwise the battery management in the car is not going to regulate the voltage correctly. Could lead to premature failure of your new battery.

One can just make up a code using the first few letters of the old code, then serial number digits from the new battery (entered with VAGCOM). It worked fine with my battery. It just needs to identify it as a new battery.

[z53dimon]

Thank you guys! Will study given links .
Sure, I am gonna code the new battery , even if it has the same specs.

[breyton490]

Just called Audi Parts for a cost on a replacement battery... $269.10.. Ouch..... That's quite a bit more just to get one with a BEM code....

[wwhan]

Just called Audi Parts for a cost on a replacement battery... $269.10.. Ouch..... That's quite a bit more just to get one with a BEM code....

I coded the Autozone Duralast battery, no problem, just used the same old letter code with the new serial number digits.

I fould this forum posting very useful for the battery recode: http://www.audiforums.com/forum/b8-m...2/#post1430403

Coding is not hard with a VAGCOM (Ross-Tech): http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...8T/8K/8R%2B%29

"[Select]
[19 - CAN-Gateway]
[Long Adaptation-0A]
Channel 004
[Read]
VCDS will populate instructions in the form of a pop-up balloon with the formatting. For example:

Format: NNNNNNNNNNN XXX ZZZZZZZZZZ

N = Battery Part Number (11 Digits)
X = Battery Vendor (3 Digits)
Z = Battery Serial Number (10 Digits)

[Add to Log] Saving the original value to a log is strongly recommended.
Type the New Battery details into the New value field.

Note, the New value must be 26 (alpha numeric) total characters including the spaces! If in doubt check the saved log for the original battery formatting details.

[Test]
[Save]
Providing the value was accepted by the controller the new battery coding is complete.
[Done, Go Back]
[Close Controller, Go Back - 06] "

[DeltaHawk60]

According to this article, the car's computer will self-adapt if the battery has no BEM code.

Read This

So I just had my OEM battery fail on me this weekend after filling up (2012, just hit 30k miles, seems rather soon?)... had driven it twice that morning, but then that third start, without any sort of low-battery indication, it simply would not start. Heard the starter clicking, but not enough to crank. Anyway, got a jump, headed to Interstate Battery and had them hook me up with a new one and fired right up.

Now I'm curious as to the "coding" since there is a bunch of conflicting data... Have done a search through the forums and people say you need to do it, yet others say they've never done it and no issues after replacing battery. I called my dealership and service manager said that if there were no warnings / advisories / CEL when I started with the new one, that I did not need to do anything further.

Also the new battery does not have a BEM code label... so from the quoted bulletin from 2010 (references A6s, but suggests all models?) it says it will self-learn that there's a new battery. I get that I could have it coded with the same info as the previous battery and just change the serial number to something random so it knows there's a new battery, but is it actually necessary?

[SouthernBoy]

Y'all are kidding... right? Coding a battery replacement? Damn Germans. No wonder they lost the war (and thank God for that).

[wwhan]

So I just had my OEM battery fail on me this weekend after filling up (2012, just hit 30k miles, seems rather soon?)... had driven it twice that morning, but then that third start, without any sort of low-battery indication, it simply would not start. Heard the starter clicking, but not enough to crank. Anyway, got a jump, headed to Interstate Battery and had them hook me up with a new one and fired right up.

Now I'm curious as to the "coding" since there is a bunch of conflicting data... Have done a search through the forums and people say you need to do it, yet others say they've never done it and no issues after replacing battery. I called my dealership and service manager said that if there were no warnings / advisories / CEL when I started with the new one, that I did not need to do anything further.

Also the new battery does not have a BEM code label... so from the quoted bulletin from 2010 (references A6s, but suggests all models?) it says it will self-learn that there's a new battery. I get that I could have it coded with the same info as the previous battery and just change the serial number to something random so it knows there's a new battery, but is it actually necessary?

There is probably a code number on the side of the battery, look for a symbol like a QR code, with a number under it. It may require a flashlight on the side of the battery to see it. Mine was a Autozone Duralast, but it is made by Johnson Controls, same as Interstate.

I used JCB for Johnson Controls Battery Vendor 3 digit code: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/conte...ry-brands.html

"Johnson Controls is the leading supplier of batteries to many of the largest aftermarket battery retailers, including Advance Auto Parts, DAISA S.A., AutoZone, Costco, NAPA, Interstate Batteries, Walmart and more. Powering virtually every type of passenger car, light truck and utility vehicle, our batteries are globally sold under private labels, as well as our own brands – VARTA®, Heliar®, LTH®, MAC® and OPTIMA®."

[MerkurRS]

The battery has been acting up lately (advanced key working intermittently, hesitated starting and the length of time the radio was on while car was off had decreased dramatically) and the batteries' life had declined appreciably this week so much so, it wouldn't start when I went to wash it. I had to decide on a battery and find one to install.
As you know your choices vary a lot for this battery size (95R/ H9 in my case) between several brands and also between wet and AGM. Because they all weighed about the same- this was not a deciding factor. My choices on a Sunday were quite limited, so I couldn't really get a few exact prices, but made the assumption based on some web searches that AGM would be another $60-$100. I called the dealer the day before- they wanted close to $250 for the battery (list) and another $150 to install it. OUCH. I know the days of a "free battery install" in a car like this are over, but really?
I called a few mechanic buddies for their opinions: They agreed AGM was not worth is since this is not a hi vibration application and a wet battery would be perfect. Pep Boys had a Bosch for about $160 (after coupon), but one mech. friend said he has seen a lot of newer Bosch battery failures lately and suggested against it. I have had bad experiences lately with Interstate in other cars, so that was out. I like Deka batteries a lot, but I would have to wait until Monday to find one, plus if I ever needed service on it- they are 25 miles away from me.
I decided AGM, Bosch and OE were not worth the extra cost and I settled on buying one from Advance Auto. I am extremely glad I did too! I used a 30% off coupon and received another $20 reward perk back dropping the final cost to about $125. The best news is that the battery is made in Germany by Varta and came with the proper BEM code on the new battery. So you can disregard the info above on "tricking" your car to accept any BEM code you conjure up.....the Advance Auto is ready to go complete with a proper code! I drove to my local A/A to pick up my order...unfortunately the battery on their shelf was OVER 2 years old already. Buying a battery is like buying groceries- read your date codes!. I called around and found another store that had one in stock a little over a month old. Perfect!!
I got the battery installed and car coded with the proper BEM and now I am ready to enjoy the car again....and head to the car wash

[masanca]

I coded the Autozone Duralast battery, no problem, just used the same old letter code with the new serial number digits.

I fould this forum posting very useful for the battery recode: http://www.audiforums.com/forum/b8-m...2/#post1430403

Coding is not hard with a VAGCOM (Ross-Tech): http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index...8T/8K/8R%2B%29

"[Select]
[19 - CAN-Gateway]
[Long Adaptation-0A]
Channel 004
[Read]
VCDS will populate instructions in the form of a pop-up balloon with the formatting. For example:

Format: NNNNNNNNNNN XXX ZZZZZZZZZZ

N = Battery Part Number (11 Digits)
X = Battery Vendor (3 Digits)
Z = Battery Serial Number (10 Digits)

[Add to Log] Saving the original value to a log is strongly recommended.
Type the New Battery details into the New value field.

Note, the New value must be 26 (alpha numeric) total characters including the spaces! If in doubt check the saved log for the original battery formatting details.

[Test]
[Save]
Providing the value was accepted by the controller the new battery coding is complete.
[Done, Go Back]
[Close Controller, Go Back - 06] "

Im trying to CODE my battery Autozone Durmast battery please help me

[jayts]

I'm about to change my battery to a stinger battery for my audio system, what needs to be coded I don't get it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skiracerblah]

So, i'm getting conflicting information on if i need to code a new battery or not. I can get a OEM battery from the dealer at the same price as the Autozone battery described above http://www.autozone.com/batteries-st...47009&cmpid=cj

Do i need to have some sort of memory saver so i don't lose any of my settings. Or can i just simply just remove old battery, install new OEM battery and everything will work ok and i won't lose any memory settings or other electrical problems?

[Gunnark100]

So, i'm getting conflicting information on if i need to code a new battery or not. I can get a OEM battery from the dealer at the same price as the Autozone battery described above http://www.autozone.com/batteries-st...47009&cmpid=cj

Do i need to have some sort of memory saver so i don't lose any of my settings. Or can i just simply just remove old battery, install new OEM battery and everything will work ok and i won't lose any memory settings or other electrical problems?

If you replace battery without connected power source under hood, all you need after is sync your key(some cases no need) and windows and adjust time and clear error codes, 2min job. No other settings will be lost(at least not on my car), had battery disconnected "few" times!

And if you getting same battery as your old, just change last digit of your battery code(serial) under gateway module 19!

[skiracerblah]

If you replace battery without connected power source under hood, all you need after is sync your key(some cases no need) and windows and adjust time and clear error codes, 2min job. No other settings will be lost(at least not on my car), had battery disconnected "few" times!

And if you getting same battery as your old, just change last digit of your battery code(serial) under gateway module 19!

Will this work, if i have access to another 12V battery, can i run jumper cables from the other battery and connect it to the battery terminals in trunk of car. Then swap batteries. Then, disconnect jumper cables?

Note, i don't have VAG-Com

[Gunnark100]

You should have + terminal under hood, close to the wiper, connect + there and - to the clean bodypart...it will work, same procedure on elsawin, but i recommend find somebody later to change code!

[waxxonMTL]

whn it comes to battery.. i believe the odyssey are on top. On SQ car audio forum, they are well respected item. I remember 1 yr ago, sears were selling their own brand deep cycle and were about half price of what a regular odeyssey would sell, yet were made by them and performed flawlessly on my other car, but now that i read i need coding.. i might just buy the OEM stuff lol -.- !

[purelife]

Are our batteries AGM?

[skiracerblah]

yes

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[Senseless]

Are our batteries AGM?

Not always. I don't think mine was, or my dealer replacement part was AGM. Neither said AGM and both had translucent white cases where I could see the fluid levels. My car was built in 2011 and was a 2012 model year.

[infinkc]

Since this thread has been bumped, the cheapest replacement battery out there with the best warranty is actually Home Depot! They started to carry auto batteries and are great prices.

[abamfo]

I went to a battery dealer to get mine checked out. He is a Varta dealer and had a special Varta testing tool to test the OEM battery, we ran the tests and it instructed us to replace the battery (who would've thought!). We then went to the Varta battery catalogur and looked up an S5 3.0 TFSI, it said the recommended battery replacement was a Varta G14 (95A | 850 CCA). He did say that the only other option is an H14 (105A | 950 CCA) but it might not fit in the battery housing in my car as it is wider.

There is no issue with getting a battery with more cold cranking amps, just measure your battery and make sure the Varta one you choose is the same size or fits in the housing. See link below, obviously it's the Silver AGM ones. Also my guy did the coding for me and installation for free, just had to buy the battery through him but if you have vcds it's really quite simple.

http://www.varta-automotive.com/en-g...ilver-dynamic/

[fitzydude]

The battery has been acting up lately (advanced key working intermittently, hesitated starting and the length of time the radio was on while car was off had decreased dramatically) and the batteries' life had declined appreciably this week so much so, it wouldn't start when I went to wash it. I had to decide on a battery and find one to install.
As you know your choices vary a lot for this battery size (95R/ H9 in my case) between several brands and also between wet and AGM. Because they all weighed about the same- this was not a deciding factor. My choices on a Sunday were quite limited, so I couldn't really get a few exact prices, but made the assumption based on some web searches that AGM would be another $60-$100. I called the dealer the day before- they wanted close to $250 for the battery (list) and another $150 to install it. OUCH. I know the days of a "free battery install" in a car like this are over, but really?
I called a few mechanic buddies for their opinions: They agreed AGM was not worth is since this is not a hi vibration application and a wet battery would be perfect. Pep Boys had a Bosch for about $160 (after coupon), but one mech. friend said he has seen a lot of newer Bosch battery failures lately and suggested against it. I have had bad experiences lately with Interstate in other cars, so that was out. I like Deka batteries a lot, but I would have to wait until Monday to find one, plus if I ever needed service on it- they are 25 miles away from me.
I decided AGM, Bosch and OE were not worth the extra cost and I settled on buying one from Advance Auto. I am extremely glad I did too! I used a 30% off coupon and received another $20 reward perk back dropping the final cost to about $125. The best news is that the battery is made in Germany by Varta and came with the proper BEM code on the new battery. So you can disregard the info above on "tricking" your car to accept any BEM code you conjure up.....the Advance Auto is ready to go complete with a proper code! I drove to my local A/A to pick up my order...unfortunately the battery on their shelf was OVER 2 years old already. Buying a battery is like buying groceries- read your date codes!. I called around and found another store that had one in stock a little over a month old. Perfect!!
I got the battery installed and car coded with the proper BEM and now I am ready to enjoy the car again....and head to the car wash

Kind of an old post but thank you so much for this, I love advance auto and after running all over town looking for an interstate battery advance auto came through having this battery in stock. Was this one you bought 950 cca? The one I ordered was and it had the same part number and looks identical to yours.

[Dr GP]

According to this article, the car's computer will self-adapt if the battery has no BEM code.

Read This

Replaced mine with no with Duralast from Autozone about a yr ago. Did no adaptation. No issues.

[fitzydude]

I can't reiterate how good the advance auto battery is. It even has Audi/vw markings on it. I got 30% with code TRT30 and didn't pay a core charge when I picked it up in store. Three year warranty and it was half the price of the dealer. I did not have to code the battery either.

[jlaudio]

I can't reiterate how good the advance auto battery is. It even has Audi/vw markings on it. I got 30% with code TRT30 and didn't pay a core charge when I picked it up in store. Three year warranty and it was half the price of the dealer. I did not have to code the battery either.

Link to part number? dealer quoted me $350 for the battery/install today. i have a vag com and can code if needed.

[fitzydude]

http://m.advanceautoparts.com/p/auto...920%7CL2*15000

Seriously good deal with TRT30. And I was so glad they carried them in stock. Intestate battery was 220 and would take 10 business days to order.

This battery is rated at 950 CCA and the factory is 850 CCA. It's the same size and the more cranking amps the better imo.

[jlaudio]

http://m.advanceautoparts.com/p/auto...920%7CL2*15000

Seriously good deal with TRT30. And I was so glad they carried them in stock. Intestate battery was 220 and would take 10 business days to order.

This battery is rated at 950 CCA and the factory is 850 CCA. It's the same size and the more cranking amps the better imo.

$143 with the code. holy smokes thats a deal. any idea how i can recycle or return the battery in the car?

[fitzydude]

Oh yeah any auto parts store will take it. Oops I guess they did charge me $22 for a core, just got even cheaper lol.

[jlaudio]

Oh yeah any auto parts store will take it without a core.

i was charged $20 for the core on checkout. i have no problem with that since it will provide an easy return/refund. $123.85 including tax. the store is only about 4 miles from me.

really appreciate the quick responses, this saved me a bunch of money. i have an appointment for service with the dealer on thurs and can cancel the battery replacement. if you were local i'd buy you a few beers!

[fitzydude]

Haha. Next time Im in Utah I'll hold you to that!

[YBYJAP]

Thanks guys! The code still worked today. Although I went with the Platinum version because it was lighter weight, the code saved me $50!

[Moose201]

Was able to get an oem battery from the dealer today for $143. Normally $168 but they had a 15% coupon. It's been exactly 4 years so I thought I would be proactive with winter temps arriving.

[cjw]

When do people start worrying about the battery? I thought the OEM batteries where typically AGM, so are most aftermarket replacements also AGM?

What happens if you don't code the new one?

[Tanner]

What happens if you don't code the new one?

In one of the other posts:

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.

I need a new battery also, it would have been three years old mid January, I would have expected to get *at least* four years out of a OEM battery as the battery is showing 50-60% after it sits overnight.

So the question now is, what's a good battery that I can get locally here in Canada.... I'll have to check the dealer tomorrow as the last time I got just the battery from them the price was actually pretty decent.

[cjw]

I ask because a lot of older posts, guys didn't bother.

[risc427]

I just replaced mine 1.5 weeks ago with the AutoCraft 95R/H9 (gold) recommended in this thread. It does have a BEM code on it, but I did not do any re-coding and have not experienced any issues.

I'm not clear on what this power saving mode is that has been mentioned or its impact on the vehicle. I'm not following how the vehicle would be "stuck" in this mode if the battery were replaced and providing correct power. I could see it not going into power saving mode in the future because of incorrect coding.

Regarding battery life: I think it's very situational, but I start considering replacement around the 4.5 - 5 year mark assuming the battery is showing proper health. Mostly because I live in a cold climate. I went 6 years on the battery in my B7 S4 and then it gave up on me on a very cold winter day. It showed signs of needing replacement long before, but I rolled the dice.