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I\'ve just replaced the second battery in my Golf VR6 after 42 months of life; the first battery lasted 44 months. I\'m curious to know whether these look like reasonable figures. I think they probably are, given the car and its electrical demands (windows, heated seats, A/C, etc.), but any comparative information would be of interest.
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It's short ish, but as you say you have a heavy electrical load - you could try a heavy duty battery. If you are only driving short distances then battery life will be short.
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Just changed mine in my VR6. I had it for 4 years.
I was reccomended a 62AH battery, but was unsure as to what the standard was. What amp hours is yours?
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My previous battery was 64 AH and was a Bosch. I was worried that I was given an incorrect battery when I got this 62 AH, but it appears not.
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I have a Golf VR6 5dr 95N (no A/C or h/seats) with 122,000 miles on the clock and owned since new. I changed my one and only battery at 98,000 miles (7yrs) and still have original alternator. I'm not technical so no idea about battery spec I'm afraid but I hope my experience is a useful if not direct comparison.
Voodoo
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Voodoo
That's impressive. What brand of battery do you have now and is it the same as the original? What's the AH or AHR number on it? My annual mileage is much lower than yours; I avoid short trips but don't do many really long trips, so perhaps that and the electrics explain the difference.
I take it that you're as fond of the car as I am, as I've owned mine since new and have no wish to sell it. I have many tens of thousands of miles to go to catch up with you; have you had any major problems after, say, 50k?
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My 1995 BMW 520 with 133,000 miles has a Bosch battery with a date stamp and supplying dealer tag from 1996. No idea when it was installed as I only bought the car a few months ago, but having lived in Florida where none of my batteries would last two years, I was shocked to see one that old still in use, and working rather well too.
I was told that the Florida heat was responsible for the short battery life and if that was true then I imagine that most batteries in colder climes would last longer.
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There's more than you want to know about batteries at:
tinyurl.com/343ld
A US survey quoted there shows a life expectancy ranging from 30 months in the hot states to 60 months in the cold states. So I guess my 40+ months isn't so bad and the very long periods reported above are quite exceptional.
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Roger
The battery is a 12V60AH supplied by VW as a direct replacement for the original.
Yes, I'm very attached to the car, hence the mileage. To date I've resisted the temptation to sell despite offers and recent repair bills.
The car?s been regularly serviced with 5k oil changes. Running costs were normal until about 90k since when I've had to replace the following parts :-
new clutch
new starter motor (burnt out earthing strap)
2x rear bearings, discs and calipers
2x rear trailing arm bushes
new water pump and thermostat
new ball joint on steering arm
sunroof electric motor
Quite a few HT leads throughout its life!
Calipers needed changing when handbrake failed to release cleanly. This failure, I?m told, was hastened by the excessively corrosive effect of alloy wheel cleaner. Ideally wheels should be removed.
Rear bearings become a problem with age especially on this wider rim size. Make sure your garage checks them at major services - grease & tighten.
Water pump problem took ages to identify. I had no cabin heat and engine only reached working temp in traffic. VW said all okay, met spec, but I wasn't convinced. I've written this up elsewhere on the forum but essentially it transpired only two vanes were still attached to the pump drive - seven were in the bath below. Friend at Lotus said this happens often if corrosion inhibitor in cooling system isnt checked regularly. So much for VW's servicing regime over the years! Use an independent now.
Current problem is ABS. Warning light is on all the time. Not a major problem from a driving perspective, works if light is off. I hope a local Bosch specialist will be able to identify and fix in a week or so.
Can I ask you what tyre brand and pressures you run. My car is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 205/50 R15 (OEM Firestone Firehawk) on original BBS rims inflated to 33(F)/36(R). These pressures give predictable handling, wet or dry, but wear faster in the centre suggesting under inflation. If I inflate to recommended pressures it's like driving on ice. What pressures are you running?
Will be interested to receive your feedback.
Voodoo
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I've always reckoned on about 5 years from a cheap battery, 8 or more from a good one.
I replaced the original battery on my 93 Volvo when it was 8 years old (250,000 miles). The battery on the Triumph came with the car when I bought it 8 years ago. Still going strong.
Despite what is claimed, batteries do need maintenance. If the electrolyte isn't kept topped up then they gradually lose capacity.
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"new clutch
new starter motor (burnt out earthing strap)
2x rear bearings, discs and calipers
2x rear trailing arm bushes
new water pump and thermostat
new ball joint on steering arm
sunroof electric motor
Quite a few HT leads throughout its life!"
Voodoo,
It seems like the life of these components are similar to what my VR6 is currently at.
I have just had clutch replaced along with a new water pump.
My thermostat does require changing now as well.
As far as the calipers go, I have had to replace my rear offside caliper 2000 miles ago (and also a disc due to the caliper seizing in the on position)
My VR6 is 95 M with 80,000 on the clock.
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Voodoo
Many thanks for such a detailed response.
Tyres? I too had Firestone originals. The fronts lasted about 17.5k and I changed the rears at about 35k (7 years) when my service mechanic noticed cracks appearing where sidewall meets tread, although there was at least 3mm of tread left. I'm now on Michelin Exalto rear and their predecessor Michelin Pilot HX (MXV3A) front. My handbook and filler-cap cover say 37.7 front and 34.8 rear (coverted from 2.6 and 2.4 bar); I'm pretty rigorous about checking them, and wear is even.
VW main-dealer servicing? Pah!
Mine's a Highline, as you may have gathered. A wonderful car, which competes for my affection with the MB 320 Coupé and the Capri 2.8i. (Tailpiece: I've seen the trip meter read 37 mpg on some occasions and, by calculation, I know I've done trips at 34 mpg.)
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"wear faster in the centre suggesting under inflation"
OVER inflation surely?
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Hi Voodoo,
Did you get to the bottom of the ABS light problem?
ABS warning light beneath light switch has been on permanently for months now in my Golf VR6. Assumed it would fail the mot so sensor was replaced which cancelled it long enough to pass. But on drive back from test it came on again. Mechanic says he's reading a pump error on the diagnostics and this is apparently an expensive item.
Presumably if it's still not fixed by next MOT it won't pass until resolved!?! Would appreciate any news on how your situation worked out.
thanks, Paul
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Picking up on several points:
* I would say 4 to 6 years is about right for battery life. Obviously how the car is used will have a significant effect on its lifetime.
* Tyres worn in centre of tread - OVER inflation
* Needed several sets of HT leads: My experience is that many OE HT leads are good for just 3 to 4 years. I replaced mine (on an 820 Vitesse Sport) with Magnecor KV85 - these are guaranteed for 10 years. They are excellent, having been developed in the US for power boats originally. In my cars case it's the high underbonnet temps caused by the turbo that kills HT leads.
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Is ABS even an MOT item? After all, the brakes work just as well without it.
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My wifes battery on her Maestro turbo diesel bought new in 1993 failed after two years and was replaced under the extended warranty. It was a Unipart sealed one.
I remember saying to the mechanic who replaced it that they dont seem much good.
He said its funny but sometimes these batteries fail early and sometimes they seem to last for ever.
This same battery is now still on after 10 years and 85000 miles so he was right.
However although its says don't top up I have always periodically prised off the two lids and topped up with distilled water.
My diesel Vectra battery also failed after a couple of years and on these AC Delco batteries (I think) there is no way to do this so I bought a Accumate as the car stands often for a week not being used.
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Fiting a higher ampage battery to a car is not always a good think as it is dependant on the ability of the alternator to feed it,this can cause premature alternator failure as the unit is having to work much harder and at its uppermost extremes. A problem experienced with many c class mercs that had not been spect with the upgraded alternator. Andy
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