axioum

Hi
My vehicle has very low mileage as it is a "second car" - done only 35,000 km in four years. Recently, after returning from the agent's service center, it needs 2 attempts to start every time. Exactly 1 month later, the red battery warning sign came on. Could something fishy happened or am I being paranoid? Is four years time to replace the 2 batteries? I was charged about US$900 to have both batteries changed and the alternators checked. Any expert advice will be appreciated!

RichardM98

Actually a car that sits idle is a lot is harder on batteries than one that is driven a decent distance every day. Normally 4 years would be on the short end of an MB batteries life. Some W210 owners get 7-8 years on the genuine MB batteries.

It is possible to check the battery with what is called a load test. The battery is removed from the car and at the bench a fixed load is applied for a short duration to see if the battery can handle it. Those with one or more weak cells can't. If the load test fails, then I'm afraid replacing the batteries (should say battery) is the solution.

Timing of problem is probably just a coincidence.

kbad

hey Richard...would both batteries fail?...or one did/was and the other couldn't handle the load by itself?

Axioum...how much were the batteries each by themselves?

RichardM98

It's pretty unlikely both would fail at the same time but if the load is designed to use both then one failing would be enough.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Both batteries????

RichardM98

Sorry, thanks for the correction, guys.

mikeshumacher

HI. It's my first Mercedes. I just bought a '96 E230 here in the Philippines. It's automatic and just did only 44,300 KMS. My question is: If I need to replace the battery, 1. Does it have to be a Mercedes brand? 2. I'm scared about things reseting, etc. I do not have the manual anymore as I am the 2nd owner of a 14 year old car. Thank you guys. -MIke

saintz

You can get another brand battery. You can find directions on the forum to reset your windows, sunroof, steering, etc. The only real thing is your radio. You need the radio code. You can get this from a local dealer, typically (at least in the States that's how it works).

mikeshumacher

Why did the engineers at MB design their stereos to be this way? Isn't this too much of a hassle? Every battery change you have to do all those? So far my problems are the rear windows (they won't go up nor down) and the passenger's side mirror. Any ideas?

monsterman75

The code is for theft prevention. Swings and roundabouts. If you make the radio harder to steal, often that means it is harder to use.