PSA October is Battery Month (North latitudes)

Post by **abscate** » 04 Oct 2025, 01:55

You know who you are …those cheapskates in Alberta drivimgthose8 year old batteries that have been warning you all summer…I’m on my last legs .

Winter is coming and soon their voltage will be plummeting with temperature, and your loved ones will be stranded and calling you, and u]you will be saying….” It cranked fine all summer”

‘If I can just make it to March”

Here’s one idiots tale…

viewtopic.php?t=92161&hilit=Low+bus+voltage

Post by **scot850** » 04 Oct 2025, 08:25

Well, well ahead of you here. P80 has a 1 year old high CCA Interstate. Toyota one is only 4 months old, also Interstate. P2 is about 4 years old replacing the previous one that was at least 10 years old and according to Volvo still fit and healthy. Insisted on a new one anyway.

Like you say, having an old battery up here is not a good idea. First cold spell will usually kill it. P80 has a trickle charger on it over the winter while it sleeps.

I also have a back up from the C30 which is about 7 years old and was a little flakey. Recharged with a smart charger and after a de-sulphate charge it is back to good health. Still can't get over the size of the battery for such a small car. 970CCA!! It stood in for the Toyota battery when someone left the interior light on and it killed the 7 year old Interstate.

Neil.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 04 Oct 2025, 10:43

I replaced my 850s battery about a month ago.....Way too soon as it was only about 3 years old. I just checked on the Mercedes battery as I intend to drive it to work today....it's low, but has been sitting. I hope I don't have to replace it. That one is $$$!

The battery in my truck is a 2017 (or something close) and it's fine, always starts even after sitting weeks and weeks.

Post by **BlackBart** » 04 Oct 2025, 16:42

Funny how a Mercedes battery produces a different 12V than everybody else’s 12V, and costs 5 times as much.

And I don’t know any cheapskates from Alberta!

Post by **abscate** » 05 Oct 2025, 05:17

I had better check Evitas battery. I think it’s from 2018.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 05 Oct 2025, 13:09

BlackBart wrote: ↑04 Oct 2025, 16:42 Funny how a Mercedes battery produces a different 12V than everybody else’s 12V, and costs 5 times as much.

The current battery is actually an ACDelco. It was there when I bought the car. I tried my normal battery store (Walmart) and they didn't have one for me, yet did list the correct group number. It occurred to me that it maybe due to the trunk mounting. My current battery has a connection for a vent hose, and maybe not all batteries in that group number include that..... seems the batteries listed for my car are always more expensive compared to another battery of the same group number.

Checking the battery, after driving 100 miles, and starting 3 times, with the trunk light on, it measured 12.5 volts.... and starting hard at the gas station when checking air in tires. I think it's on it's way out.... along with a 2006 date coded tire.

It did start fine this morning, after filling the tire again from 2psi.

What does this have to do with Volvo? Well, it's blocking my 850 in the driveway. The 850 has been parked closest to the garage for about 2 weeks waiting for me to start working on the SAS system, spark plugs, and a few other miscellaneous things. I should check it's new battery to see if the voltage has dropped at all.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 05 Oct 2025, 14:14

My 2001 E320 Mercedes will drain the battery if not started for about 3 weeks. I try to start it more often, but the AC is flat so not fun to drive in summer afternoons.
Seems as if it fits MB is just costs more.
volvolugnut

Post by **BlackBart** » 05 Oct 2025, 14:17

Ah HA! The tire pressure is directly related to the battery voltage! Connected through the BTA, Battery Tire Accumulator.

I have an older friend, not feeling very spry these days. He took his wife’s medium sized Mercedes suv to the dealer for a battery. $500 to install.
I said just bring it over here, we can figure that out.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 05 Oct 2025, 17:18

volvolugnut wrote: ↑05 Oct 2025, 14:14 My 2001 E320 Mercedes will drain the battery if not started for about 3 weeks. I try to start it more often, but the AC is flat so not fun to drive in summer afternoons.
Seems as if it fits MB is just costs more.
volvolugnut

Oh wow, that's the same reason I haven't driven my C220 much. When I bought it, I tried adding refrigerant, but wasn't getting anywhere. When I looked at the bottom of the compressor with an LED light it glowed green, so someone had already started trouble shooting it by adding dye, I assume.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 05 Oct 2025, 19:07

454cid wrote: ↑05 Oct 2025, 17:18
volvolugnut wrote: ↑05 Oct 2025, 14:14 My 2001 E320 Mercedes will drain the battery if not started for about 3 weeks. I try to start it more often, but the AC is flat so not fun to drive in summer afternoons.
Seems as if it fits MB is just costs more.
volvolugnut
Oh wow, that's the same reason I haven't driven my C220 much. When I bought it, I tried adding refrigerant, but wasn't getting anywhere. When I looked at the bottom of the compressor with an LED light it glowed green, so someone had already started trouble shooting it by adding dye, I assume.

I hear the Mercedes evaporator? (under dash unit) develops leaks. Many hours to replace. Mine will hold for about the length of summer if I charge it
volvolugnut