Is It Time to Replace My Car Battery?

Hi all,

Would like your advise on if I need to replace my Disco Sport 2016 Petrol.

I have been receiving low battery warning message since Feb this year (on and off) but been regular since July, probably because of low traveling KMs due to Covid/WFH. I hardly drive 50kms per week.

I had my serving done this Sep and was told to get it replaced over the phone by the technician. When I went to pickup the car I was told to just go for a long drive as the battery is healthy. I went for a 300k drive and the message disappeared for only 2 days.

I went to a local store to get it replaced and had a battery check done last month (please check test results in link). The sales person said the battery is healthy and just needs a long drive to recharge. Again I did a 200kms drive but the low warning message does not disappear.

I am a bit concerned and wanted to check if I need my battery replaced. I only have a cam connected that only turns on when car is started.

Please advise.

Image

http://imgur.com/gallery/d5ju1BC

Comments

  • +13

    Hmmmm. 4 year old car, low battery warming on constantly, and the tech told you the battery needs replacement. I'm going to go out on a limb, and say the battery needs replacement.

    Edit - 12.2v after driving it is no good.

  • Maybe your battery is fine but your alternator is broken.

    • +1

      Charging test - 14.6v

  • +2

    Get a charger and charge it at home.

  • +4

    Just replace it and live happily ever after.

  • +3

    aldi trickle charger for $30

  • +1

    advise

    :/

    My “advice” is that if it’s holding 600CCA and is holding a charge ok, leave it and get yourself a trickle charger for those times where it isn’t driven for long periods.

    And even though your car is off, there are still some systems that remain operational while the car is off.

    if I need to replace my Disco Sport 2016 Petrol.

    Absolutely. Land Rovers are shit boxes. :D

    • +2

      Here you are talking like you use to service these "shit boxes" :-)

      • Discovery Sport “Freelander”

  • +1

    You definitely don’t need to replace yet. Pumping out 600cca at a low voltage is still a battery with lots of useful life. It just needs to be charged and de-sulfated to extend its float voltage to a point where your car stops giving the warning.

    As with all things, you need to work out your inconvenience if it does stop cranking and you are left stranded.

  • -1

    Does it have a smart alternator? Those setups seem to shorten battery life because they don’t give a decent charge to the battery - even on long drives.

    Getting a charger and plugging it in every few weeks for a good charge might help.

    As above 4years might be the end of life for it.

  • +3

    If it isn't dead it's got 1 foot in the grave. Spend the $250 and get another battery and then you won't be constantly faffing about with trickle chargers and wondering when it will leave you stranded.

  • +2

    Would like your advise on if I need to replace my Disco Sport 2016 Petrol

    It's a Landrover - yes, replace it asap.

  • Four years is a long life for a battery in my general experience. That said, when they go you normally don't get a long warning period that makes this one a bit odd.

    If you've got electrical issues, band aid the b@stard up and get rid of it tout de suite!

  • 600CCA and it was meant to be 800CCA

    Tells you something.

    If you dont want to replace, make sure your Roadside Assist is paid up.

  • +3

    Just tape over the battery warning light.

  • Your battery has lost 1/4 of its capacity. Charging will achieve nothing, get it replaced.

  • Thanks for the advise guys, I used my mates CTek MSX 5 charger and left it to charge till stage 8 and that did not work. Will replace it with a Varta F21 AGM.

    Thank you all for the advise.

  • Hmm… my 2013 car still has it’s factory installed battery.
    oops! better get it changed. (yes it had flat battery few times but the culprit was my dashcam)

    • -1

      You dot have to get it changed, but get it tested before it strands you somewhere.

      • yeah thanks. i had it tested last time when i serviced. he said everything is good and said he’ll change the acid just to see if that improves condition.

        The charge does last, except my dashcam
        sometimes randomly turns on when parked in garage and drains battery.

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