Battery Replacement and trickle chargers
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Battery Replacement and trickle chargers
Have two concerns.
Since an "MB" battery costs over $300 and is warranted for only two years, are there good Sears, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. alternatives?
Second, service advisor suggested I use a trickle charger since I do not drive my car that often. Do they involve raising the hood and connecting to the battery and how often should they be used? Years ago, I used one to charge a dying battery.
Thanks!
Since an "MB" battery costs over $300 and is warranted for only two years, are there good Sears, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. alternatives?
Second, service advisor suggested I use a trickle charger since I do not drive my car that often. Do they involve raising the hood and connecting to the battery and how often should they be used? Years ago, I used one to charge a dying battery.
Thanks!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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My experience with the MB batteries is they have terrific life, although I know there have been issues with some years. I use a Ctek battery tender and they are the best that I have ever had. You can buy different models on Ebay that suit your need and they are not expensive. A depleted battery can be completely charged with the Ctek battery tender to full charge as long as it has good cells. To connect you just go to the jumper points under the hood. There is absolutely no need to try and get to the battery terminals directly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,146
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From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
MBC also offers a trickle charger that sells for about $125; it connects to the + and - terminals under the hood.
Perhaps that US dealers offer the same trickle charger ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
MB recently gave me a new battery under warranty when I complained mine wasn't holding a charge very well. They replaced the original with an AGM. I charged it fully....using a float charge....and have been measuring it daily. It doesn't hold a charge very well either but better than the one it replaced. In the two weeks since I charged it I've gone 170 miles and the battery has gone down to 60%. The alternator is putting out 14V+. The battery loses charge even on days I drive 50 miles. Just like my old one. I know about the cabin fan starting/running after shutdown but there's other parasitic draw when not being operated that my previous Benz didn't have. I hard wired a charging port that exits at the end of the hood cowl by the battery. No holes needed to be drilled, the wire tucks away nicely, and the hood doesn't need to be opened to connect. The trickle charger wire (B&D) comes down from the garage ceiling right at that spot for easy attachment. I'm resigned to the fact I'll just have to top up the battery every couple of weeks with my low use and this car.
Last edited by mleskovar; Mar 24, 2014 at 06:18 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
For clarification
The original battery is warranted for four years, but any battery after that is only warranted for two years.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Have two concerns.
Since an "MB" battery costs over $300 and is warranted for only two years, are there good Sears, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. alternatives?
Second, service advisor suggested I use a trickle charger since I do not drive my car that often. Do they involve raising the hood and connecting to the battery and how often should they be used? Years ago, I used one to charge a dying battery.
Thanks!
Since an "MB" battery costs over $300 and is warranted for only two years, are there good Sears, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. alternatives?
Second, service advisor suggested I use a trickle charger since I do not drive my car that often. Do they involve raising the hood and connecting to the battery and how often should they be used? Years ago, I used one to charge a dying battery.
Thanks!
I have used AutoZone batteries for a long time and I am very pleased with them. I will get one from them next time I need one.
