My 2014 Mazda3 battery needs replacing. Despite charging it (to full) with the CTEK CT5 charger, it drains within just a few weeks.
Batteryworld Tempe quoted me $380 for a replacement battery (including installation). Can anyone recommend somewhere cheaper and which includes installation?
Kind regards.
No, I'm not sure TBH. The car battery is about 3.5 years so I assumed it's about that age. And surely if it drains that fast, the battery has an issue?
I suppose I need to take it down to a mechanic for a check. What sort of cost am I looking it if it's the alternator?
Is the car parked up and not used?
Have you had the battery and alternator tested?
Is the car parked up and not used?
Car is usually parked under a carport or driveway. It does get used daily, albeit for short distances (6-12KM per day).
I need to take it down to a mechanic to test battery and alternator. My uneducated thinking is the battery because of the fast drain and typical slow engine crank.
Some supercheap stores will test and fit batteries.
https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/services/in-store-fitment-…
380 sounds expensive.
Sounds like you've converted your 2014 Mazda3 into a plugin hybrid.
With all the hassles of a dedicated EV.
Minus the actual benefits for the engine
Go to auto electrician with the fully charged battery as soon as you can. Explain the symptoms.It sounds like a drain in your circuit somewhere. Could be alt, wiring, and accessory or 'maybe' a failing cell in battery.If it is a parasitic drain you want in found and sorted or you'll be buying new batteries forever.
What brand and size battery is it now and where did you buy it?
What brand and size battery is it now and where did you buy it?
It's Deltec DEL-EFBQ85 (670A CCA, 110 Min RC, 65Ah (20HR)). This was installed in 2021 by roadside assistance (to replace the original battery).
Price doesn't sound that bad. Go for a decent brand, same grunt specs is the main thing. I'd definitely suss out the cause of the shortish life.Have you ever left lights of something else on and flattened the existing battery?
Check as many body,chassis,battery earths as you can too.Brighten them all up with sandpaper or coarse scourer where they are earthed.
You could try asking for a price match at BW.I've gotten a better than Bunnings price in the recent past.
As an eg Exide (special order Bunnings 750CCA>
https://www.bunnings.com.au/exide-extreme-xdin66hmf-vehicle-…
Batteryworld should be able to match or better. (Note this is/may not be your battery size, it's just an example of CCA per $$ at Bunnings)
EDIT My bad was another battery place I used,not Battery world. But use the Bunnings price as a guide anyway, when you go hunting/negotiating
I called up SCA and was quoted $240/$270 (forgot which) for battery-only. They will also check the battery. They won't install so I have to work out installation if I go with them.
@ddhar: I wouldn't be too concerned about the installation process, its not hard, much simpler than changing a tyre for example.
You need to start disabling i-stop
Why? I have a CX3 and I thought i-stop was designed to increase fuel efficiency. My battery lasted 4 years before it needed replacing.
You save a small percentage in fuel but that is generally negated by more frequent and more expensive battery changes.
I paid $395 for a battery (including roadside install) from Batteryworld in Aug-23 for a 2015 Mazda3, so $380 is pretty good with inflation since then.
The older i-Stop system seems to go through batteries every 4 years.
I paid $395 for a battery
Wow!!! You got ripped off bad…
OP,
I just replaced the battery myself for $248, on the Mazda3 2015.
Would you have a link/guide that can help me? My DIY years are long behind me (used to mod headphones and solder wires) but I hope I have the requisite knowledge for this.
DIY isn't hard if you are able.If you do have stored memory stuff to save, get yourself a cheap 'memory saver' from Jaycar/Repco/SCA etc.
Just read up on how to, if you haven't done it.There's a preferred safe order of connect/disconnecting terminals. Make sure the connection surfaces are all schmick clean when you reconnect them
Im on to my third battery replacement for a CX5 this week. Googling seems to show this is a mazda issue. Cant fault the car in any way and nearly 9yrs old but the battery thing is weird.
Three batteries in one week is crazy.
Hahaha no no, 3 in 9yrs. I just bought the third this week
On the same side of the road and about 50m south of BatteryWorld Tempe is BatteryMart Australia. It's opposite Harry's Cafe & the Riverview Hotel.
It looks dingy and crap but he sells good batteries at a fair price.
Haven't bought a car battery since last year. Son had 2016 Holden Calais. Told to change them every 2 years (so he did even though old one not faulty - long story.
Cost about $230 wherever he bought it and installed it.
I got caught a few times with flat battery out and about and had to buy direct from roadside assist. I think these were quite expensive.
Usually Oh just purchases the battery somewhere cheap and installs it himself.
Always seemed to be about $200ish
Always assumed car batteries had to be changed every two years though.
If it's stop start battery, $200 at Costco, they will have a sales on battery in a month or two. In fact any battery from Costco will be a lot cheaper. $400 is a big rip off.
Are you sure it's the battery and not your alternator?