dead battery this morning
03-31-2015, 08:43 PM
#52
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Maybe I should get her a Toyota.
03-31-2015, 08:44 PM
#53
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03-31-2015, 08:54 PM
#54
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
As for charging up the battery, have Advance Auto load test the battery once it's fully charged up. See how CCA or CA it has vs spec and go from there. Maybe the heated seats have been on too long after the car was shut off or something like that.
03-31-2015, 09:00 PM
#55
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Walmart doesn't sell AGM batteries, they just sell regular flooded batteries and flooded batteries are cheaper than AGM batteries so Advance Auto or Autozone is the better deal as they have AGM batteries. Flooded batteries are regular batteries that also vent gas, that's why the terminals on regular flooded batteries get corroded unlike AGM batteries which can vent gas, but not normally. AGM batteries are also supposed to last longer than flooded batteries so overall, I'd just get an AGM battery.
As for charging up the battery, have Advance Auto load test the battery once it's fully charged up. See how CCA or CA it has vs spec and go from there. Maybe the heated seats have been on too long after the car was shut off or something like that.
As for charging up the battery, have Advance Auto load test the battery once it's fully charged up. See how CCA or CA it has vs spec and go from there. Maybe the heated seats have been on too long after the car was shut off or something like that.
AGM batteries maybe safer when it comes to prone to explosions and gasses but AGM batteries have huge flaws when in colder temperatures also they are a lot finicky about the voltage they are kept at.
Their life span is also 1/2 as much as lead acid batteries.
03-31-2015, 10:00 PM
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You mean lead acid batteries?
AGM batteries maybe safer when it comes to prone to explosions and gasses but AGM batteries have huge flaws when in colder temperatures also they are a lot finicky about the voltage they are kept at.
Their life span is also 1/2 as much as lead acid batteries.
AGM batteries maybe safer when it comes to prone to explosions and gasses but AGM batteries have huge flaws when in colder temperatures also they are a lot finicky about the voltage they are kept at.
Their life span is also 1/2 as much as lead acid batteries.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm
http://solarcraft.net/articles/gel-v...ell-batteries/
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=32
03-31-2015, 10:04 PM
#57
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You have things the other way around, AGM batteries last longer.
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm
http://solarcraft.net/articles/gel-v...ell-batteries/
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=32
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a..._glass_mat_agm
http://solarcraft.net/articles/gel-v...ell-batteries/
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=32
from one of your links:
(AGM) ABSORBED ELECTROLYTE
Disadvantages
- ½ the cycle life of Gel or flooded Wet Cell in deep cycle applications
- Charge voltage must be limited (14.1 to 14.4 volts maximum at 68°F )
- Voltage-regulated chargers must be used
- Water cannot be replaced if continually overcharged
03-31-2015, 10:08 PM
#58
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Read the rest of the links. Also a car battery isn't in a deep cycle application. Deep cycle usually refers to Marine applications where the battery can run several things on a boat while the engine is off. Also on mine, you can get the car to display the voltage, I've never seen it get much higher than 14.2 volts. The original battery is an AGM battery.
03-31-2015, 10:12 PM
#59
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Read the rest of the links. Also a car battery isn't in a deep cycle application. Deep cycle usually refers to Marine applications where the battery can run several things on a boat while the engine is off. Also on mine, you can get the car to display the voltage, I've never seen it get much higher than 14.2 volts. The original battery is an AGM battery.
I had done this whole agm vs lead acid about 5 - 10 years ago when they were pushing agm. Gotta wonder why they died out when they were invented in early 80s, they are having a come back and they charge more for them than the lead acid.
In my experience and many others would say they don't last as long... they can have high CCA because of the way they are made.
My lead acid runs years without maintenance!
Just my experience and opinion.
03-31-2015, 10:36 PM
#60
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Live Oak, I wouldn't take the risk in that case either. Did RA test the battery, starter and charging system or just give you a jump? Curious to know what the result of the test was.
03-31-2015, 10:39 PM
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03-31-2015, 11:14 PM
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'15 E350 4M Sport
03-31-2015, 11:29 PM
#63
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2010 e550 p2
Correct, E350 takes group 48.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...12-series.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...12-series.html
Yep for 350s its Group 48
07-22-2018, 01:24 PM
#65
The independent dealer was concerned that I only drive about 20 miles per day and I may not drive it every day on the weekend. He suggested that I might buy a "battery tender".
If someone would tell me I needed to buy a new battery, I would, but so far, everyone says that battery is fine. Does this sound like a situation where a battery tender/smart charger would help?
Last edited by Angela Carter; 07-22-2018 at 01:51 PM.
07-22-2018, 01:47 PM
#66
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Ok, at the risk of sounding like a complete, idiot, here goes - what exactly is a smart charger? Do you just hook it up to the battery like you would if you were jumping the car off?
This is my first Mercedes and I have a 2011 E550 that I bought about a year ago. The car would not start about 2-3 months ago and I had it jumped off by roadside assistance. No explanation of why it would not start but the battery was OK, according to roadside assistance. Then, last week the car would not start on me about 3-4 times and now I'm practically an expert in jumping the car off with strangers in parking lots. I've previously mainly driven BMW's and have zero experience in having to "baby" batteries. The independent dealer where I bought the car replaced a headlamp switch (I believe that was the part, it was about $100) as an "educated guess by his Mercedes guy", after having tested the battery a few times and it was "good" last week. However, after paying for the service and attempting to leave, the car wouldn't even start and it had to be jumped off even for me to get back to work, where I let it run for about half an hour.
The independent dealer was concerned that I only drive about 20 miles per day and I may not drive it every day on the weekend. He suggested that I might buy a "battery tender". Is this the same thing as a smart charger? If so, could you possibly point me to one on amazon? I'm not a car mechanic by any means (I'm an accountant/finance person), and normally if a car gives me trouble, I end up just getting something else. However, I really like this car and I've only had it for a year. I bought a bumper to bumper extended warranty for about $2500 (with a $100 deductible) and haven't even used it one time.
The accountant in me doesn't want to give up on this car yet! Any help is greatly appreciated.
This is my first Mercedes and I have a 2011 E550 that I bought about a year ago. The car would not start about 2-3 months ago and I had it jumped off by roadside assistance. No explanation of why it would not start but the battery was OK, according to roadside assistance. Then, last week the car would not start on me about 3-4 times and now I'm practically an expert in jumping the car off with strangers in parking lots. I've previously mainly driven BMW's and have zero experience in having to "baby" batteries. The independent dealer where I bought the car replaced a headlamp switch (I believe that was the part, it was about $100) as an "educated guess by his Mercedes guy", after having tested the battery a few times and it was "good" last week. However, after paying for the service and attempting to leave, the car wouldn't even start and it had to be jumped off even for me to get back to work, where I let it run for about half an hour.
The independent dealer was concerned that I only drive about 20 miles per day and I may not drive it every day on the weekend. He suggested that I might buy a "battery tender". Is this the same thing as a smart charger? If so, could you possibly point me to one on amazon? I'm not a car mechanic by any means (I'm an accountant/finance person), and normally if a car gives me trouble, I end up just getting something else. However, I really like this car and I've only had it for a year. I bought a bumper to bumper extended warranty for about $2500 (with a $100 deductible) and haven't even used it one time.
The accountant in me doesn't want to give up on this car yet! Any help is greatly appreciated.
In regards to your starting issues, these AGM batteries seem to die slow deaths. Mine would keep coming back after charging with my CTEK but then need a jump a week or two later. After a while I just decided to take it into pep boys for a load test out of the car. The battery would pass the typical battery tests but failed the load test. Sounds like yours might be in the same shape. If its a few years old, it's probably time to move on.
The issue in the 'smart' alternator in these cars that reduces the output to save fuel. This results in keeping the battery at a lower SOC than other cars I have owned. Therefore, the batteries don't last as long as they could (and the heat down here in FL doesn't help either). 3 years is the norm for me now.
You can hook up a charger once a week or two if you want to keep it going. Better to do that than keep getting stranded needing a jump. But after a while you may decide its time to move on.
Btw, you may want to get one of those lithium jump packs on amazon so you can jump start the car yourself. Best $40 I've spent on a battery in a while.
Last edited by thefisch; 07-22-2018 at 01:50 PM.
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Angela Carter (07-22-2018)
07-22-2018, 01:52 PM
#67
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Here is the CTEK 3300 I got.
Here is the jump pack I got. Amazon has a lightning deal on it now for $40. It says there is also a 10Q% off coupon which would make it sweeter.
Here is the jump pack I got. Amazon has a lightning deal on it now for $40. It says there is also a 10Q% off coupon which would make it sweeter.
07-22-2018, 01:59 PM
#68
And, thanks so much for the links on amazon. I just bought both of them! I figure even if I end up getting a new battery, we can still use them on my husband's car, lawnmower, etc.
07-22-2018, 02:07 PM
#69
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The CTEK is pretty versatile - I've used it on small UPS batteries also. The jump pack has been a life saver. It's helped me now that my battery is starting to show some weakness. I can jump my car in less than two minutes without needing help from strangers or waiting on roadside. Depending on the parking lots, it's not always easy to get another car in close for the jumper cables to reach. Also, I have jumped two cars for other folks with it and they are surprised at how well it worked.
07-22-2018, 07:21 PM
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07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Angela, just how old is the battery in your Benz now
Original, if it is it is probably on its last breath.
Go to Interstate and have them check your charging system for proper output from the alternator
Second, buy a AGM battery from them for your car.
Fresh battery no more issues
If the car sits for a week or so at a time plug it into the C tec for constant micro charge when it is sitting in the garage
But a 7 year old battery in your car is only good as a boat anchor- uselesssssss
Original, if it is it is probably on its last breath.
Go to Interstate and have them check your charging system for proper output from the alternator
Second, buy a AGM battery from them for your car.
Fresh battery no more issues
If the car sits for a week or so at a time plug it into the C tec for constant micro charge when it is sitting in the garage
But a 7 year old battery in your car is only good as a boat anchor- uselesssssss
07-23-2018, 10:26 AM
#71
Well, unfortunately, I'm reading this a little too late. I got up this morning and it was completely dead. So dead that I couldn't even open the trunk to get the jumper cables...
My neighbor has a battery charger and after a while I was able to finally open the trunk, then jump start the car using my husband's car. I let it run for about 30 minutes, then took it to AutoZone, who said the battery was fine. Then, I called my guy and then dropped it off again and got a loaner.
I really don't know how old the battery is - I've had the car a little less than a year and a half and I don't have the prior service records. I told the service guy that I was fine getting a new battery or a new alternator or whatever it is, I just want to be able to trust the car. Thanks for your reply! Hopefully, they can figure this out soon. It's getting old!
My neighbor has a battery charger and after a while I was able to finally open the trunk, then jump start the car using my husband's car. I let it run for about 30 minutes, then took it to AutoZone, who said the battery was fine. Then, I called my guy and then dropped it off again and got a loaner.
I really don't know how old the battery is - I've had the car a little less than a year and a half and I don't have the prior service records. I told the service guy that I was fine getting a new battery or a new alternator or whatever it is, I just want to be able to trust the car. Thanks for your reply! Hopefully, they can figure this out soon. It's getting old!
07-23-2018, 10:57 AM
#72
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I would start with the battery and go from there. That will likely fix your issues. Unless there is something draining the battery.
07-23-2018, 12:03 PM
#73
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2010 e550 p2
From what i observed , mostly the 550s get this *battery* or *starting* issues
there are some 350s but defintely not as many.
Angela keep us posted what they say.
there are some 350s but defintely not as many.
Angela keep us posted what they say.
07-23-2018, 12:07 PM
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Yeah, it seems the batteries in the W212 don't last as long as the W211. My W211 still has the original battery. My W212 was used and in the paperwork I got, the battery had already been replaced.
07-23-2018, 01:28 PM
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07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Change the battery,
If you do not want to and think yours is okay,
THEN have it CHARGED by anybody, THEN turn on the lights and fan, seat heaters and do not start up the car
Check the voltage of the battery
If it is below 12.2V - ditch the battery
If the car will not start, meaning turn over to try to start ditch the battery
A car that does not start is not much of an asset to you and your safety.
A Mercedes is a power hog and will not work properly with a battery that is not up to factory minimum specs-
If you do not want to and think yours is okay,
THEN have it CHARGED by anybody, THEN turn on the lights and fan, seat heaters and do not start up the car
Check the voltage of the battery
If it is below 12.2V - ditch the battery
If the car will not start, meaning turn over to try to start ditch the battery
A car that does not start is not much of an asset to you and your safety.
A Mercedes is a power hog and will not work properly with a battery that is not up to factory minimum specs-
