My neighbor has a 2006 C350, went to Advance Auto for a new battery. Parts jockey said no go, that vehicle requires dealer pixie dust so the car "sees" the new battery or the car will not start. Is this accurate?

 

thats a crock of ****. Install the battery as normal, but once installed follow the resynch procedure. That is turning the steering wheel side to side. Synching the power windows.

Been years since I've done it, you'll be able to find this info online. Search battery resynch.

 

Fwiw, since the 90's many cars require a "computer/computer(s)" reset after the battery is swapped out.
Places like NTB, have the scanners, and the mechanics know how to clear the codes, for the 85 zillion vehicle models out their.

The need to reset one or more computers/areas started with some air bag controllers needing reset, then some ABS controllers, and so on.
After ~2000, most cars/models would need to reset "something" after a battery swap.

Most AutoZone employees don't make that much, Autozone(like others) often have a high-turn employee over, and would you trust a $30K+ piece of diagnostic equipment to an 18 year old that you just hire for minimum wage and will likely work there only ~6-12 months, and so on.

Clearing codes, knowing the menus, and having/using the correct needed diagnostic equipment, is different than having some "kid right off the street" use an ~$200 scanner to hopefully read DTCs from a vehicle.

Good luck.

 

For older cars you may have to reset things like windows, but they don't require any kind of resync to the computer. I would strongly recommend you buying a Dent Fix or other "anti zap" device so that during battery removal and install you don't fry any of the modules Mercedes made from spun glass and Christmas ornaments. There are some newer cars like Mini Cooper that have an optional system that requires a resync of the battery to the computer, but an '06? Don't think so.

 

Thanks everyone. I also found this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...g-battery.html

net/net it looks like you need to disconnect negative, then positive. Reconnect negative then positive. May need to resync windows/sunroof and turn steering wheel left to right full lock 3 times.

 

I've replaced 4 batteries in my 2001 C320, all by myself. No drama. I've taken to placing a sticker on the shock tower to remind me the order of cable disconnect/reconnect. Observe that, then resync the steering, windows and sunroof, and you're done.

Oh, and make sure your keys are not in the ignition... and you start the battery swap will all windows and sunroof in the closed position.

 

You can do a 9v/ plug in, or other stand alone memory saver(for radio stations)...

But I’ve learned 2 things.
1.) wait about an hour to ensure everything has gone to sleep. Meaning, hood up.
2.) follow the procedure to a T. And that includes (in my opinion) leaving the keys as far away from the vehicle as possible.

then sync the windows and sunroof (which you left closed) and turn the steering wheel from center, as you left it, three times full left and full right.