DIY: Battery info for P2 cars (1998-2006 S80, 2000-2009 S60, 2000-2007 V70, 2002-2014 XC90)

[cn90]

For a brand-new healthy battery, what was the longest period that you did not drive the car and the battery was still OK?

Let's say you go on vacation or whatever (Covid work from home etc), when do you think the battery will go dead?

Battery on store shelf can sit there for 10-12 months with minimal discharge.

In a car, there is always parasitic drain. Does anyone know how much (in mA) the 2007 S60 drains per day (to power electronics, clock etc.)?

[gnalan]

I put an L3 from Rural King in my 01 S60. I don't know if there's other holes or not, I never really looked. I'm not sure if anything bigger will fit underneath the plastic cover that sits over the battery and held down by a metal bracket on top.

[KurtL]

The last 3 batteries I bought for my 3 Volvos, V70R, C30 and XC60, I got Volvo batteries at the dealer, matching up the VIN when doing so. Never had a problem fitting anything. Apparently my C30 took a bigger battery than some other C30's. The others all fit perfect.
For $50 savings it's not worth the grief to go somewhere else.

Just my 2 cents.

[cn90]

FYI, Exide makes battery for BMWs, Volvos (Volvo trucks as well)...

[chrism]

The last 3 batteries I bought for my 3 Volvos, V70R, C30 and XC60, I got Volvo batteries at the dealer, matching up the VIN when doing so. Never had a problem fitting anything. Apparently my C30 took a bigger battery than some other C30's. The others all fit perfect.
For $50 savings it's not worth the grief to go somewhere else.

Just my 2 cents.

The last two batteries I purchased for our S80 and V70 were from Volvo dealers. Better price than the local auto parts stores, perfect fit, and with the proper vent arrangement. We’ve since sold the S80 but the V70 battery is still going strong at about 11+ years old. At the time the dealer parts guy said their batteries were supplied by Interstate (with Volvo labels slapped on them).
Once in a while the dealer parts counter will surprise you with a competitive price.

[scot850]

In Canada Volvo uses Interstate batteries. Generally good if maintained. If I am not using the car for awhile I try to keep them on a tender. Much better than letting the battery run down as that can kill them early.

I find with my 00 'R' maybe 2 weeks if the alarm is set. I have an aftermarket immobiliser Viper system fitted and it drains it at a higher rate. As the car is garage parked we don't lock it when parked there.

Oldest battery was on a 1999 Audi A4 that became poor at 10.5 years. Most of the issue with its failure was due to the dealer not maintaining the battery (it was ticked in the check list as checked). I found the battery almost dry! Car was dealer serviced all it's life.

Neil.

[abscate]

Lead acid batteries self discharge about 0.5% per day.

If you have a 50-100 mA draw on your battery ( radio, clock, alarm, heated rear seats) , the total loss will thus be dominated by the self discharge rate of 400 mA per day.

[cn90]

Interesting,

I have seen battery sitting on the shelf at Home Depot for almost 1 yr and the voltage is still 12.6V...

[abscate]

Interesting,

I have seen battery sitting on the shelf at Home Depot for almost 1 yr and the voltage is still 12.6V...

Put a load in it for 10 minutes amd remeasure….

[cn90]

Update for my 2005 XC90 2.5T...

Battery (Exide H8 from Home Depot in 2018) was dead after 6 years.
Went to Costco, they were out of H8, so I bought an Interstate H7 (94R) instead for $120.

Since the difference (in length) of the H7 and H8 is ~ 1.5", I cut a piece of 2 x 2 wood.
A 2 x 2 means 2" before making it look nice, the end product of a 2 x 2 is ~ 1.5".

I cut a small groove (using a screwdriver) and bevel the edge (using the concrete driveway lol).
The groove: so the wood fits into the battery tray edge and prevents the wood from bouncing
up and down.
The bevel edge is to accomodate the battery bottom edge.

It fits perfectly.

PS: I wish Volvo drilled an extra hole for H7 (94R).
Anyway, I thought this mod (piece of 2 x 2 wood) is useful for those who want to use H7 (94R)
battery in your XC90, S60, V70 etc.
With this mod, it increases your options, now you can use either H6, H7 or H8.

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