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Car battery, but which one?

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  • 04-04-2020 1:02am
    #1
    patrickc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭


    My Volvo v60 D4 has has a low battery warning come on over the last few months.
    It has stop/start but that hasn't worked in ages (I only realised that has a separate battery today) I'm happy enough for that not to work though.

    Anyhow I want to replace the main battery as I'm not doing much driving now. I was doing about 600k a week so the battery was getting charged it's not now.

    When I look at online sites there are so many batteries to choose from, many say If I have stop start then I need a particular type of battery which is almost a €100 more expensive than the others.

    Do I need to buy the more expensive one even if stop start isn't active?

    can anyone tell me which battery I need to buy?

    thanks all


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    #2
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    Are you sure your car has a separate battery for the stop/start? Any other car I know with SS uses one battery which as you say is a specific stop/start battery.

    Go onto Halfords website and put your car Reg into the checker and see what options they give you. Then price the battery type elsewhere as Halfords are considerably dearer than everywhere else.


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    #3
    tphase
    Registered Users Posts: 1,058 ✭✭✭tphase


    Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »
    Halfords are considerably dearer than everywhere else.


    not necessarily true - the last battery I got in Halfords (Yuasa) was cheaper than a no-name brand in the local motor factors. I have an AXA discount card which knocked 10% off but I was also getting a discount in the motor factors.
    Biggest problem with Halfords is if the one you want isn't in stock, they may not be able to guarantee when it will come in.


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    #4
    Die Hard 2019
    Closed Accounts Posts: 362 ✭✭Die Hard 2019


    tphase wrote: »
    not necessarily true - the last battery I got in Halfords (Yuasa) was cheaper than a no-name brand in the local motor factors. I have an AXA discount card which knocked 10% off but I was also getting a discount in the motor factors.
    Biggest problem with Halfords is if the one you want isn't in stock, they may not be able to guarantee when it will come in.

    Halfords are the best price for branded batteries but are closed.


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    #5
    Mooretaxi
    Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭Mooretaxi


    Are you sure that it's not the key fob battery that is the cause of the warning


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    #6
    patrickc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭patrickc


    I'm just reading my manual here and it says cars with stop start are equipped with 2 12v batteries. One for starting and one for support to help the start/stop

    I should of started in the manual first it says I have to use AGM type batteries which are the more expensive ones.

    thanks for all the help.


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    #7
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,147 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    If you do have 2 batteries then you would be better off getting both tested to make sure you are replacing the correct one. Finding a garage open to get them tested might be tricky if you don't have access to a battery tester yourself.


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    #8
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Far as I know, on the S60 the main electronics in the car are run off a very small battery in the boot, and the starting is done by the big one under the bonnet. I think that’s all the big one does.


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    #9
    newmember2
    Registered Users Posts: 2,594 ✭✭✭newmember2


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    Far as I know, on the S60 the main electronics in the car are run off a very small battery in the boot, and the starting is done by the big one under the bonnet. I think that’s all the big one does.

    Other way round, the support battery is in the front.


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    #10
    patrickc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭patrickc


    My manual shows the two in the front.

    I haven't looked as it's lashing.

    The light isn't on at the moment I got to drive for 30 mins and it's off since.

    It's not urgent until this passes


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    #11
    Esel
    Registered Users Posts: 22,034 ✭✭✭✭Esel


    I like Yuasa as a brand.

    Not your ornery onager



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    #12
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,388 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    patrickc wrote: »
    My manual shows the two in the front.

    I haven't looked as it's lashing.

    The light isn't on at the moment I got to drive for 30 mins and it's off since.

    It's not urgent until this passes

    It could just be a side effect of not getting driven.


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    #13
    patrickc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭patrickc


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    It could just be a side effect of not getting driven.

    As far as I know it's the original battery so 7 years old. Probably coming near the end of it's life


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    #14
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users Posts: 6,641 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    Would it be better to hold off buying new batteries now if possible?

    I'm in a similar situation - my car's battery hasn't yet shown any issues but I know it's over 7 years old and don't entirely trust it. But I think getting a new battery now and putting it in a car that is barely getting any use won't do it any favours either. I'm getting a smart charger instead, and will look at getting a new battery once my driving is back to normal. I think the charger will be a useful tool to have anyway.

    Also: Chargers are easy to get from Amazon :)


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    #15
    deandean
    Registered Users Posts: 2,225 ✭✭✭deandean


    OP I recommend you go to a battery specialist. I use Europower in Glasnevin. Also there is another company in Ballycoolin can't find their name at the moment). You'll get a premium battery like Banner or Schneider that'll cost a bit more than a Halfords battery but it will have a better specification and will last longer.
    But in the first instance - stick a charger on your existing battery. It'll probably see you through the summer with the odd charge. Best of luck!


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    #16
    patrickc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,879 ✭✭✭patrickc


    deandean wrote: »
    OP I recommend you go to a battery specialist. I use Europower in Glasnevin. Also there is another company in Ballycoolin can't find their name at the moment). You'll get a premium battery like Banner or Schneider that'll cost a bit more than a Halfords battery but it will have a better specification and will last longer.
    But in the first instance - stick a charger on your existing battery. It'll probably see you through the summer with the odd charge. Best of luck!

    I charged it today anyway thanks.

    I'll sort it when all this is over.


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