Car Battery Replacement - Roadside Help Needed

yjun355 on 07/04/2017 - 10:02

Hi Guys,

Just when I decided to cancel my roadside assistance and risk it with Go4U (roadside on demand), my car battery went dead. Car is Honda Civic 2009.

This morning, my car is unresponsive (Nothing happens, can't even open the doors as there is no power).

Just seeing what do you guys suggest for mobile battery replacement? I guess point is to get reputable and decent batteries so I don't have to worry about it again for a while.

What do you suggest I should do? Any recommendations?

I was thinking NRMA which will charge me $60 premium since I am not a member. Go4U don't replace battery and only have jumpstart for $79.

Automotive

Comments

  • dasher86 on 07/04/2017 - 10:13
    +1

    Jump in an uber go to SCA get a battery and go back to your car and install battery.

    • yjun355 on 07/04/2017 - 10:17

      I actually have a super cheap auto in walking distance (10 minutes) to my car. I have no experience installing battery though.

      • dasher86 on 07/04/2017 - 10:19
        +4

        really easy.
        youtube it.
        SCA should be able to give you the correct battery choices if you give them make, model and year of car.

      • dassaur on 07/04/2017 - 10:31

        You'll need a wrench or similar to unscrew the bolts and possible battery holder though.

        • boomramada on 07/04/2017 - 10:38

          ^ make sure to buy a perfect fit wrench from SCA :)

          edit: make sure to write down your battery capacity, save some times shopping for battery.

        • Xyzzy on 07/04/2017 - 10:47
          +4

          Or, if you're in Australia, a spanner.

        • Cheap Charlie on 07/04/2017 - 11:40
          +1

          I only use a wench for the purposes of screwing my nuts

        • yjun355 on 07/04/2017 - 11:34

          Thanks a lot. That's perfect

        • yjun355 on 08/04/2017 - 14:02
          +2

          Thumps up for the video! It worked!

        • Cheap Charlie on 08/04/2017 - 14:41
          +1

          @Yoman55555: Excellent

      • nikey2k27 on 09/04/2017 - 21:08

        it easy mate i done few times

  • tomclancy on 07/04/2017 - 10:21

    Forget NRMA batteries. They charge $100 premium to members + another $60 superpremium for non-members.

    Are you able to get to a SCA, Repco, Autobarn or AutoOne store? Self-replacement is not difficult and much cheaper.

    EDIT: looks like I was too slow typing my reply. dasher86 is spot on

    • yjun355 on 07/04/2017 - 11:29

      I am. I am close to AutoOne actually.

  • weezlebub on 07/04/2017 - 10:25
    +1

    If you can survive without a car for a while, sign up for NRMA and wait the 25 (or 48) hours before calling them out …

    Alternatively, figure out how to open it (there will be a youtube about it) and put another battery in yourself

    • Cheap Charlie on 07/04/2017 - 11:30
      +1

      Manually unlock the car with the key, even cars with a push button start have a mini key built into the remote for this purpose

      • weezlebub on 07/04/2017 - 13:50

        Actually, they don't all have it, a friend had a ford (i think it was BA) and when the battery went dead, we had to connect a jumper lead to the bottom of the alternator and the other end to chassis to get enough power into the car to get the remote immobilizer to deactivate

        • Cheap Charlie on 07/04/2017 - 14:02

          Are you sure it was a BA?
          Ba falcons have either a flip key remote combo or an individual key and remote.

          Actually, they don't all have it

          I know some/all Tesla do not feature a key barrel in the drivers door.
          They tend to have to access the backup 12V battery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUcUOd1r1w&vl=en

  • Baysew on 07/04/2017 - 10:26
    +3

    Holler for a Marshall

  • Rumbaar on 07/04/2017 - 11:47

    I carry a Jumpstarter in my boot, and just make sure I check that it's charged ever now and again. YOu can get one for under $200 and I've had to use it a few times, and it's so helpful. Has a built in air pump as well.

    Like this: https://www.autobarn.com.au/powerwize-jump-starter-1200amp-p…

    • Cheap Charlie on 07/04/2017 - 14:33

      I do the same, albeit a $60ish dollar SuperCheap version.
      When the battery finally deteriorated to the point that it was not efficiently holding charge I moved over to a compact Lithium unit, Namely this guy. Paid $71.99 and some special eBay offer at the time.

  • yjun355 on 07/04/2017 - 12:55
    +2

    Thanks for Youtube clip @CheapCharlie.
    I got quote for party from Auto One ($145) which they said has 3.5 year warranty which has 20% catalogue discount. I think I will give it a go.
    Really should know how to change the battery as an adult. Worse case, just call NRMA.

    I'll let you guys know how it goes :)

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 08:15
    +1

    Once you have the new battery make sure you get your alternator checked to make sure it is putting out a decent charge.

    • yjun355 on 08/04/2017 - 13:58

      Do i need to take it to the mechanic for this?

      • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2017 - 08:50
        +1

        An auto electrician will check it for you. It's a two minute job. He will just connect a meter to read the output.

        • yjun355 on 10/04/2017 - 11:19

          Thanks. I'll check.

  • yjun355 on 08/04/2017 - 14:01
    +3

    Thanks a lot everyone for your help. I bought the battery from Auto One for $136 (they coincidentally had 20% sale on all their batteries) with 30 month warranty.

    The youtube form @CheapCharlie made a lot of difference. I was quite easily able to replace the battery following the instructions. Pretty easy!

    Thanks again. Ozbargain Community Win!

  • kiitos on 09/04/2017 - 14:04

    Did you need to rekey a security code in your stereo too?

    • JOCKz on 09/04/2017 - 21:59

      I dont think honda ever really implemented a security code for their radios, i know mitsubishi did for a very long time, but the radios they put in their cars look like it was from the 90s

    • yjun355 on 10/04/2017 - 11:19

      I didn't understand what that meant. So, I guess answer is no :)

      • kiitos on 10/04/2017 - 22:47

        I just remember that in my Astra, which had the battery replaced a couple of times, I had to dig out a security code for the stereo each time, and enter it through some arcane combination of turning the dials and pressing buttons. Was wondering if this was still often the case.

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