battery
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
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From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
battery
Is there a way to tell if it is time to get a new battery, short of waitng for the battery to be dead one morning? I have had my 2001 for over two years, and i am sure the battery was not new when I bought it, could be the original. I do not want to wake up one cold morning and have a dead battery but I don't want to replace it if it is still good. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Batteries generally last 4 to 5 tears. Be proactive and replace it at the 4 year mark. That should minimize the chances of getting caught with a dead one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
you can preview and gauge the health by...
- performing specific gravity test using a hygrometer ( $5-20 at auto supply)
- checking the voltage under load (large drop indicates inability to hold charge)
- check voltage regulator/alternator in good health
- ensuring fluid level is replenished (distilled water)
- keeping battery charged so that it doesn't sulfate and short between cells
- get a trickle charger and try to avoid deep discharge as a result of leaving
lights on, etc. trickle back to full charge after replenishing water
if you do this regularly enough, say, every several months, you can really
extend life of your avg lead acid battery by years....well beyond 5 yrs
- performing specific gravity test using a hygrometer ( $5-20 at auto supply)
- checking the voltage under load (large drop indicates inability to hold charge)
- check voltage regulator/alternator in good health
- ensuring fluid level is replenished (distilled water)
- keeping battery charged so that it doesn't sulfate and short between cells
- get a trickle charger and try to avoid deep discharge as a result of leaving
lights on, etc. trickle back to full charge after replenishing water
if you do this regularly enough, say, every several months, you can really
extend life of your avg lead acid battery by years....well beyond 5 yrs
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23
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If I keep charging it will it go down to 0 amp? When is the best time to stop charging?
What does a trickle charger do? Should I use a trickle charger now?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
what was the load which caused the discharge?
when you say complete, how did you measure 'complete'?
did you check battery fluid level and top off prior to charging?
did you check specific gravity?
when you say complete, how did you measure 'complete'?
did you check battery fluid level and top off prior to charging?
did you check specific gravity?
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Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Battery would die without giving any warning, so change it every 5-6 years depending on type of battery that you are currently using. I use the interstate battery and it seems to work very well so far... I remember it as MTP-3 or MPT-3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,191
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Just know that because your battery lives under the rear seat, it must either be completely sealed or have provision to vent gasses out a hose.
Otherwise, sulphuric acid fumes will corrode things under your seat and you could possibly have a hydrogen gas build up.
Get an OE battery from your dealer.
Otherwise, sulphuric acid fumes will corrode things under your seat and you could possibly have a hydrogen gas build up.
Get an OE battery from your dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 5
From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Good question here I think. Some of us remember the "good old days" when our batteries started to sound weak before they failed. I have not had trouble with my MB, but I think I'm now on my 4th battery on my 1994 Plymouth Acclaim. Every time it went bad, it was completely without warning. They might now be "maintenance-free", but I long for the days when we could more easily check the water level and specific gravity with a hygrometer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
2015 E350 4matic Sport and 2011 C300 4matic sport
battery
AS I am mechanically challenged I have never even looked to see where the battery is. I will start by looking at it. As the weather in NJ has hit the 30's today, I may find out sooner than later that the battery life is about over. Thanks for the advice
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: California
2000 E430
Don't forget you can call Mercedes roadside assistance and they will come out and replace the battery for you with a OEM Mercedes battery. Our total was $162 but it was worth it to avoid the hassle. Took about 30 min and he reset power windows, seats, etc. I told them the car was cranking longer than usual and I was afraid the battery was dying. They came in about 1 hour. Not too bad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore MD
MB, BMW
Don't forget you can call Mercedes roadside assistance and they will come out and replace the battery for you with a OEM Mercedes battery. Our total was $162 but it was worth it to avoid the hassle. Took about 30 min and he reset power windows, seats, etc. I told them the car was cranking longer than usual and I was afraid the battery was dying. They came in about 1 hour. Not too bad.
list price on the OEM battery is less than $130. roadside doesn't charge labor for battery installations, you got hosed...
