Confirmation of battery change
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 26
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W206 220d
Confirmation of battery change
When the time comes, I am considering to buy aftermarket (same spec) 12V battery for my W206. The original Mercedes 12V battery is 3x higher price at the dealership, and I don't see the reason to waste so much money considering my warranty expires in a few months, and the very benefits or the original 12V battery are also very limited in comparison to aftermarket (Varta and similar) brands.
As I understand, after replacing a battery I should register a battery change in my car. Anyone did it without a dealership? What tool did you use? I am considering to buy Thinkscan 689BT to have it for such small "operations", so I don't need to run to dealership for every little thing I need to do.
As I understand, after replacing a battery I should register a battery change in my car. Anyone did it without a dealership? What tool did you use? I am considering to buy Thinkscan 689BT to have it for such small "operations", so I don't need to run to dealership for every little thing I need to do.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Thinkscan is expensive and I imagine there is a learning curve. I think there are cheaper ones that do the same thing. I have the same thought but if it happens tomorrow I do not have a shop to ģo to. Maybe get the battery installed and pay the dealer to code?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Those who have replaced the battery on their own that I'm aware of skipped the coding, claiming it isn't needed. As far as I know, it requires XENTRY. I don't fully know what has to be done, but modern battery management systems keep track of battery statistics such as charge cycles, capacity etc. and those should be reset if the battery is replaced, so the charging algorithm isn't continue to charge the battery like the old worn battery. Also if the battery isn't replaced with the exact same spec, then the capacity etc. needs to be registered, so that it doesn't potentially overcharge the battery.
If you replace it with a same spec battery and skip the registration, then probably worst case that happens is the new battery may not last as long, but based on others who have done it, the car runs and starts. This kinda stuff is more important for lithium batteries, though, as they are much more sensitive to how they are being charged and once they fall to 80% capacity, they are essentially worn, so you don't want the system to think the new battery is still the old worn battery. Most MB's use AGM batteries, though. There are only a few that use lithium 12V batteries.
If you replace it with a same spec battery and skip the registration, then probably worst case that happens is the new battery may not last as long, but based on others who have done it, the car runs and starts. This kinda stuff is more important for lithium batteries, though, as they are much more sensitive to how they are being charged and once they fall to 80% capacity, they are essentially worn, so you don't want the system to think the new battery is still the old worn battery. Most MB's use AGM batteries, though. There are only a few that use lithium 12V batteries.
Last edited by superswiss; Dec 2, 2025 at 09:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 26
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W206 220d
Also, MB service advisor at my dealership was kind of mad I was considering to buy and bring my own parts for the A service. In my calculations, I would have saved ~300€ for the same stuff (oil & filters), and those were original BM parts, but bought at another store. To save myself potential warranty problems this time I bought everything at dealership again, but I clearly stated I am not planning to waste money next time with these pricing (I sent them links for those parts at another store). Surprisingly, after that discussion they charged me 170€ less than they planned.
I suppose eventual error messages will disappear in time after car starts learning with the new battery?
Last edited by TracerMerc; Dec 3, 2025 at 03:01 AM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: Texas
C300 W206 2022
Last edited by Steely; Dec 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 26
Likes: 5
W206 220d
In EU (at least Germany and Croatia), car must be maintained by the official Mercedes workshop (usually, the dealership itself) to keep the warranty. It is explicitly written in the warranty document.
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