Should I Proactively Replace My S3 Battery?

[JohnnyHighSpeed]

Inspired by a recent thread on the sudden nature of battery deaths, looking for input on whether or not I should proactively replace my battery this summer prior to shipping the car from Europe to the US. My 2018 S3 will be 3 years old in November, and I see several mentions online of batteries giving out on these cars around the 3 year mark. My concern is that the car will be entrusted to a shipper and out of my control for probably 8 weeks or more. If the battery dies during that time, I’d rather not have the shipper trying to jump it or push it or drag it or whatever to move it. So, worth a couple hundred bucks for the peace of mind? Or is the 3 year failure an outlier?


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[MikTip]

If you buy a new battery now,...its gonna sit for 8 weeks. May or may not be fine upon arrival.

If you leave in the old battery for 8 weeks...may or may not be fine upon arrival..

If it were my car...knowing the 3 year issue...I would buy a new battery here in USA...and have it installed after the car arrives.

This way I know its good...for 3 more years.

The 8 weeks sitting is not good for batteries. New or old.

Unless you have a battery charger on it while in transit...

The shipper is probably use to dealing with battery issues...ask them...see what they say...

[Cairo94507]

I agree with your logic. My S3's battery died at about 30K miles and it was replaced under warranty. I got lucky. I would not want the shipper monkeying around with the car at all. I would replace it to avoid any possible shipping issues.

[n8vs3]

I have a low milage 2016 S3 that is still on original battery and plan on changing to a new AGM battery. Is it true AGM batteries require special charger? I have an old battery tender plus that was purchased in mid 2005. Not sure if it will work.

[MikTip]

I have a low milage 2016 S3 that is still on original battery and plan on changing to a new AGM battery. Is it true AGM batteries require special charger? I have an old battery tender plus that was purchased in mid 2005. Not sure if it will work.

AGM stands for "Absorbent Glass Mat", which is a type of a separator used in the construction of the battery. ...

They charge same as every other battery.

[TheMysticWizard]

AGM stands for "Absorbent Glass Mat", which is a type of a separator used in the construction of the battery. ...

They charge same as every other battery.

Yes and No. From what I understand AGM batteries like to charge slower and should be charged at lower currents and their fully charged voltage is slightly lower:

Misconceptions of AGM Batteries

Battery Basics

Battery University - AGM

In all practicality I'm not sure how much this matters under the hood.

[n8vs3]

Some of the newer battery chargers have a separate mode for AGM. No sure if it is just marketing....

[MikTip]

Yes and No. From what I understand AGM batteries like to charge slower and should be charged at lower currents and their fully charged voltage is slightly lower:

Misconceptions of AGM Batteries

Battery Basics

Battery University - AGM

In all practicality I'm not sure how much this matters under the hood.

So far...under the hood of my S3...zero issues

[8v_a3_quattro]

My battery on my a3 died and I went with an optima yellow top, I haven’t had any issues with it. From what I’ve heard the stock one isn’t the greatest specially after 30k miles or so.

[n8vs3]

My battery on my a3 died and I went with an optima yellow top, I haven’t had any issues with it. From what I’ve heard the stock one isn’t the greatest specially after 30k miles or so.

Where did you order the optima battery from? My local AutoZone doesn't have it.

[MikTip]

https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...attery/audi/s3

AutoZone ships to your home...

[8v_a3_quattro]

Where did you order the optima battery from? My local AutoZone doesn't have it.

I bought it at a local advanced auto parts. They had it in stock.

[TreizeRXH]

After owning 4 VAG products (2016: Jetta GLI, Audi A3 1.8t, Audi Q3, and an Audi A3 2.0t) I’ve come to realize that they will give you warning signs the battery is going.

Specifically, you will begin to notice that it’s not cranking as hard as it did. It’ll still fire up right away, but if you know your car, you will recognize when the starter is not turning the way it used to.

Once you get to this point, check the voltage. It’ll usually be low and this will be your definitive sign to replace the battery.


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[RGT03]

Is there anything special we have to do when changing the battery at home on an S3(2017)?I am reading about battery management system and having to use Oem battery replacements. This seems odd to me. I don’t want to bring my car to the dealer.

FYI - I am just over 30k miles and the car won’t start. I have a battery tender with startup feature that I have to use to get the car started every time I drive it. Voltage is way low.

[949]

wouldnt the most simplist way is to just unhook the battery when it ships? a car that doesnt run for that long will drain an old battery easily.

[TreizeRXH]

wouldnt the most simplist way is to just unhook the battery when it ships? a car that doesnt run for that long will drain an old battery easily.

There are systems in the car that disable themselves after a few days when the car hasn’t been run.

For example: You ever notice how sometimes your doors don’t open with the keyless entry if you let it sit for a while? The ecm disables this to save battery life and reactivates it when you use the remote. Pretty ingenious thinking.

These cars have a lot of software meant to optimize battery life. This also ties into why you’re supposed to have the battery coded into the system again when you replace it. It needs to be recalibrated to properly draw power and not expend itself prematurely.


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[JohnnyHighSpeed]

Just wanted to follow up with a thanks for the different perspectives. I’ve decided to leave the old one. The car still starts like it’s brand new and the point made above about potentially just draining a brand new battery was one I hadn’t considered.


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