Below 12 volts at rest the battery should be checked or replaced. but dead is only at 10.5 IIRC
So at 12.04 volts at standstill and load capacity at 46% it is nearing its end.. at least judging from numbers alone. You might be fine for some time with it, but leaving it for several weeks might leave it dry. Depends what the whether is.
If its warm where you are, might even survive since 2.0 diesel shouldn't require high power to start. I am not huge expert on batteries, I just replace it once mine discharges fully and cant start it. But I have charger so it doesn't matter much.
At least we know your car charges the battery fine. Shouldn't be problem with that. Just that battery is getting worn. How old is it?. Ok, so 5 yo. I had to change mine as well at 5 year mark. Over summer it was fine, but once the first below 0 degrees came, couldn't start it even leaving it overnight
edit: thought about it a bit more - in your case the voltage at rest could also indicate that it simply needs charging as I mentioned in the other comment. Fully charged bad battery would I think show normal 12.6 volts as well. So about 12 volts at rest could indicate its almost empty. And 46% load capacity shows that AmpH is half of a new battery. So as I said - I think it might be fine for some time, but risky in cold weather. Basically its charging fine, now its almost empty, but you have less then half of expected lifetime left. If there is no other issues, fully charging it might give you some time as I said.
But hey, I might have mistaken somewhere. So if anyone knows it in more detail or if the place that tested your battery said somethin different, I would love to hear it.
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My experience with car batteries is that once you have any problems related to them just change it.
With freezing temperatures they suffer more and diesel cars need even more powerful batteries (more amperes needed). If you have any indicator that te battery is not working right (start/stop it's one as it seems) perhaps it's a good idea to think about changing it.
Last year our battery died after it snowed and the car wasn't started in 3 days. We recharged it on a long trip, thinking that after recharging it it would be ok but some days later the same discharge happened and the car wasn't able to start. I was told by the salesman that start/stop needs a more powerful (and healthy) battery.
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thinking that after recharging it it would be ok but some days later the same discharge happened and the car wasn't able to start
Yup, a good practice is basically to change it once its been fully discharged for diesels. Petrol car might be fine IF the battery is new and it got discharged due to some other reasons. But overall every deep discharge doesn't help a bit for batteries longevity if the battery is already several years old.
In my experience even after charging it at a charger, the battery usually has problem the next time you leave it over weekend or so.
PS. Best indicator here is amperage the battery takes in. If it rests quit fast at low amps, the battery is dead. With voltage I am not sure whether the voltage at rest should change also when fully charged. So might be that n33712`s battery maybe just needs a charging. Maybe its almost dead. I think it needs a bit more inspection to fully know if its bad or not.
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I have done some long motorway journeys....few hundred miles each time and the numbers don't change.....would that kind of journey charge the battery the same as a external charger?
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Yes, several hundred miles should definitely charge the battery up.
My gut says the battery should be changed in due future, but I personally wouldn't rush into it just yet. I would see if it starts up after it has been sitting several weeks (but of course depends how easy it is for you to get the battery and change it with the car not working in the first place... if you need to take it to service to change it, then playing it safe definitely is better way to go).. How does the car start usually? Does it take several turnovers before it starts or does it start easily? After it hasn't been driven overnight for example.
Because coming from numbers alone it looks like it makes sense if it reads around 12V after being charged as well. Capacity is around half and 12V mark more or less means the same or nearing empty. If your car doesn't have parasitic draws then theoretically it should hold for some time. But that's just a guess.
Basically it means the battery gets charged only partially - when you start it once you spend a lot of electricity. If what it recharges is fine for the next startup then you are constantly being on verge of not being able to start it. A car sitting for several weeks means the battery gets cold, engine gets cold and any parasitic draws empty the battery slowly. After sitting it needs more juice to start it. Good solution is to take out the battery, leave it inside in warmth. Even partially charged battery should be fine to start the car then. But that also depends on how new is the car. I wouldn't risk doing anything like that to my GFs 2018 RAV4 .... on my 2000 and 2002 year cars I don't give a fuck :D take out and put back in, no problems whatsoever. Even my moms 2009 or something nissan requires codes to be entered after taking out the battery. New audi probably has something similar.
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Does it take several turnovers before it starts or does it start easily? After it hasn't been driven overnight for example Most of the time it is fine. A little slow sometimes....usually when cold 0-2 degrees
It's a 2017 car so the battery is one from manufacture
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Ok.
With all my ramblings my final suggestion would be calling up a service and just telling them that you have load capacity below 50% from a test and charged battery at rest shows 12.04 volts. They would be able to give more concrete answer how bad is it for an OEM battery.
Because that's quite interesting as OEM batteries sometimes go as long as 7-9 years if not more then 10 even. Especially for premium brands (audi, bmw, mercedes). So maybe for 2017 Audi OEM battery 12.04 volts might be good still when in an aftermarket battery that's a good giveaway of almost dead battery :D
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Why OEM batteries last so long? I've observed that too.
Although in my case, it lasted only 5 years.
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My guess would be that OEM only sources the battery from top tier brands. With tests done I believe they can be pretty sure that the specific battery they choose is perfectly in sync with the car. Aftermarkets are usually generic brands meant for all cars
Along with the fact that vehicle is brand new, there are no parasitic draws, generator works good, we get 100% potential from the battery. I wouldn't be surprised that with mileage the car probably becomes less effective not only engine wise, but also in all subsystems... in this case generator, wires, more parasitic draws come up. My glow pugs failed this winter. My battery barely survived living in city at -10 degrees after only one years use when previously the same battery lasted almost 6 years. I mean sure the battery is still going strong now after being able to charge it and now that I can start the car fine, but some of the times when it discharged more then necessary, probably took a toll on how long it will serve.
IMO that would explain why some OEM batteries last up to 7-8 years when an older car gets 5 years from top tier batteries. I have heard some going longer but have no idea there. But since its a hit or miss with the how long it goes, I guess its difficult to really asses to.
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You must be right. The electrical part won't be never as perfect as when it leave the factory.
I had never thought about that. :)
Thanks for your reply!
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It's good advice and have been there before. I don't really have any major signs at present....except stop/start but that is normally the first thing to go and the numbers.
Guess i'm just looking to see if anyone else has had similar and what their thoughts are......they had similar and it was about to die.....or it kept going for many more months....truth is probably not possible to tell 100% :(
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Q.I drive my car infrequently, so the battery is not charged and is in bad shape.
A. Prepare a car battery charger and charge the battery once a month to prevent the battery from malfunctioning.
β‘πβ‘12.6ο½13V?π
Use a car battery charger with an "automatic charge stop device".
That way, you can avoid deterioration due to overcharging without having to monitor the car every time.
Those products may range from $30 to about $200, but you can use them depending on the type of car and battery situation.
(Since you seem to have the measuring materials ...)
If your current battery fails to revive, you can give up and replace it, and in the future you can use a car battery charger to take regular steps to prevent deterioration.
(It is also correct to lend the car to someone who uses the car once every half month.... (It's hard to say, as some areas are difficult due to insurance and laws)
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Good idea. I do a fair few miles on it most days. A new battery is Β£180 for a good one ($210)
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Quit a lot for battery though. is that with service charge to change it or an OEM battery or something?
I put 115 Ah battery in my volvo (that's a lot for passenger car) and that cost me around 160 EUR for premium brand. For regular battery I would expect to go for around 120 EUR or so
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Have shopped around. It's a good price for that battery. Maybe in UK it costs more?
That's just the purchase price, will fit myself
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I truly hope this is not a puzzle, because I am lost here!
Btw, bump for visibility. If it is not a puzzle, at least someone may help you with your battery.
Take care n33712!
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I sometimes make such misunderstandings myself.
γFor example, if it is an off-topic category, these are natural problems.
γBut if they are in "general", one would doubt their existence.
You can definitely refer to the user's SGprofile to see if there are any GAs created by invitation.
Finding puzzles that don't exist is as hard as trying to be a cultist.
Iaia!γ(β©Β΄Ξ`)β©π₯π₯γβ©πγγππ§γπ₯π―β©
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But what if it a collaboration between a puzzler and gifter?
And then they have the giveaway hidden somewhere else!
Aaaaah.
I did checked his profile though. :D
Thanks kappa!
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Steamgifts became the place to ask/talk about anything, even car batteries apparently.
While i think calling any good garage could give you a decent answer or maybe Audi has a helpdesk.
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Isn't that good? Now we just need more categories to talk.
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Check the car manual and get the same amp value battery from trusty brands, like varta, duracell etc. You can check their websites which battery is compatible with your car. If your dying battery isn't support start / stop you should find the battery which supports this feature.
You don't need to wait till your battery dies, that could start electrical problems.
If you drive your car for short distance that could drain your battery fast (I had the same problem because of that and had to change my battery)
Best battery advices comes from manufacturer manual.
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The most interesting thread on SG in years.
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Sounds low to me. Specially after long drive.
I would not be hurry, but I still would replace it soon enough.
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Wouldnt it be goog to drive to good recommended shop with car batteries ? They will test it for you and recommend the action. Maybe just good charger will be nough for 2 more years. Ctek or sth like that.
Just google the closes shop with good opinions.
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Think the trust part of that is an issue.....i have a lack of it when it comes to car garages, especially recently.
A local search with google reviews may help, yep ;)
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Is 12.04v okay when engine off?
Technically a little low, but not really a problem unless it's really cold. The problem is voltage only gives an idea about battery health. Good voltage doesn't mean anything if it can't give a lot of amps.
Is the 46% load capacity a problem?
That's a sign the battery's going out... it'll be fine on hot weather, but on cold day it might not give enough amps to crank. I would replace it if it goes like -10C anytime soon... but i'd keed it like this otherwise.
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Am in UK. -10C is a real rarity.
It is March, around 0C right now and snowing. Guess if it gets me through the next few days then maybe okay to continue with it for a bit......until nearer the time i need to leave it for 2 weeks, then replace before that.....unless anything else comes up in the meantime
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Providing there is nothing else wrong with the electrics, once the start stop stops working is usually a sign that the battery is wearing out/getting low. If you want to hold out a bit longer, drive it on a long run and minimise use of electrics in the car like air-con etc. 3-5 years is pretty average shelf life for the battery and start stop ones are more expensive as i found out recently when i had to call the AA to replace mine when my car didn't start. The AA guy also mentionned something about a trickle charger to keep your battery topped up whilst you're away if you want to get one but not sure how much they cost. Best of luck with this!
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Yeah, i just had to go out in it, Around 0c at the moment and car was covered in snow......slow to turn over :(
Might just bite the bullet and buy one tomorrow.....there is no doubt it's on its last legs.
Stop/start is always the first thing to go....but have had batteries last couple of years after it has stopped. Different car now so could be different
Cheers
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Hi
My car battery has been tested and the voltage it gives is at 83% but the load capacity is at 46%.
Just tested the voltage with a multimeter and with car off i get 12.04v......after a 30 minute drive i'm getting 14.55v which i know is normal.
Stop/Start does not work but not worried about that. Couple of times slow to turn over but has always started.
Is 12.04v okay when engine off?
Is the 46% load capacity a problem?
Do i need a new battery before this one dies?
Ina few months my car will be left for a couple of weeks......worried it wont start when i next go to start it
Thanks All
P.S. Don't know if it makes any difference but Audi A6 2.0 Diesel
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