How check battery condition?
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S212
How check battery condition?
I think one or both of my batteries might need replacing. How can I can I tell which if any need replacing?
Symptoms are warning lights about presafe and anti skid until I charged the battery via the jump start points.
Also not always starting as easily as usual and stop start only works after 60mins plus driving on motorway.
The issue might be as simple as I am doing too many short journeys or could be the battery is on the way out as well.
Car is S212 2013 E350 bluetec
Symptoms are warning lights about presafe and anti skid until I charged the battery via the jump start points.
Also not always starting as easily as usual and stop start only works after 60mins plus driving on motorway.
The issue might be as simple as I am doing too many short journeys or could be the battery is on the way out as well.
Car is S212 2013 E350 bluetec
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From: NYC
E63S
Car batteries generally only last 3 yrs. If you could somehow find out when they were last replaced, you could then make a more informed decision.
Stop/start (a hindrance more than a helpful feature, IMO) is not always available. There are certain criteria that need to be met before your car will shut off at a light/traffic, etc.
Short trips absolutely do not help the condition.
Stop/start (a hindrance more than a helpful feature, IMO) is not always available. There are certain criteria that need to be met before your car will shut off at a light/traffic, etc.
Short trips absolutely do not help the condition.
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
I use a Solar BA-50 battery tester. Inexpensive and works well. I check both batteries at each oil change and log the values. You can track battery degradation with time and replace before failure.
Edit: corrected model number of the battery tester.
Edit: corrected model number of the battery tester.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Dec 12, 2022 at 04:45 PM.
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E350 Wagon
I think one or both of my batteries might need replacing. How can I can I tell which if any need replacing?
Symptoms are warning lights about presafe and anti skid until I charged the battery via the jump start points.
Also not always starting as easily as usual and stop start only works after 60mins plus driving on motorway.
The issue might be as simple as I am doing too many short journeys or could be the battery is on the way out as well.
Car is S212 2013 E350 bluetec
Symptoms are warning lights about presafe and anti skid until I charged the battery via the jump start points.
Also not always starting as easily as usual and stop start only works after 60mins plus driving on motorway.
The issue might be as simple as I am doing too many short journeys or could be the battery is on the way out as well.
Car is S212 2013 E350 bluetec
You need to measure your CCA (Cold cranking amps) and discharge at start, additionally you need to know the time that will take your battery capacity to be recharged by the alternator. Batteries could still be able to start your car but not charge completely for the next time, thus leaving you stranded after sitting for a long period of time.
Good luck mate.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
Other symptoms to watch for:
COMAND does not resume (turn on) after starting the engine.
Lack of ECO Stop/Start function.
This time of year (when it's colder) I regularly recharge my main battery every 6-8 weeks. The symptoms above tell me when...
COMAND does not resume (turn on) after starting the engine.
Lack of ECO Stop/Start function.
This time of year (when it's colder) I regularly recharge my main battery every 6-8 weeks. The symptoms above tell me when...
Last edited by DFWdude; Dec 12, 2022 at 08:22 AM.
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
As mentioned, some parts stories will give you battery test for free, so if you can take it, that's good option.
Testing battery can be tricky, as sealed battery no longer allow checking the acid density, when voltage test gives you only glimpse of its condition.
I have Solar tester and load tester and between the 2 I can do pretty good test.
Sometimes the battery can still deliver peak amps, but has lost capacity. Other time it has capacity, but lower voltage.
The biggest trick the battery did to me was on my GLE, who I bought over a year ago.
The ECO function did not work and not having good feedback, I assume the car doesn't have the option even I do have button for it.
So I drove it for well over a year without ECO, when finally 6 yo battery stop cranking, even it had good voltage.
I replaced the battery and on the first red light after the ECO stop happened.
Testing battery can be tricky, as sealed battery no longer allow checking the acid density, when voltage test gives you only glimpse of its condition.
I have Solar tester and load tester and between the 2 I can do pretty good test.
Sometimes the battery can still deliver peak amps, but has lost capacity. Other time it has capacity, but lower voltage.
The biggest trick the battery did to me was on my GLE, who I bought over a year ago.
The ECO function did not work and not having good feedback, I assume the car doesn't have the option even I do have button for it.
So I drove it for well over a year without ECO, when finally 6 yo battery stop cranking, even it had good voltage.
I replaced the battery and on the first red light after the ECO stop happened.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You basically want to get the battery load tested. That's what the auto parts store do with their load testers. Another way is to just take the battery out of the car and put it on a charger and see what the final voltage is when it's fully charged. There are some state of charge charts that will tell you a ball park range of how healthy the battery is based on the no load voltage of the battery at rest at 70 degrees. Connected to the car and in cold weather will not be accurate as that won't be in a no load condition and not at 70 degrees and taking a reading right away after charging/discharging means not at rest. Also the old days you used to be able to measure the battery fluid but with AGM batteries, that's not really possible anymore.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Avoid putting charger on battery hooked up to car. Some automatic chargers will go into desulfation mode, who can push 16-17 V and car computers don't like it.
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S212
This charger has a separate button for 'repair mode' which I assume does the desulfation (will check the manual).
Thread Starter
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S212
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1983 Nissan Shltbox
Just replace whatever batteries it has.
The only true way to test a battery is with a proper load test, which takes forever, not the cheap/quick load testers they use/sell at auto houses. Those are junk and just tell you to buy a new battery anyway.
The only true way to test a battery is with a proper load test, which takes forever, not the cheap/quick load testers they use/sell at auto houses. Those are junk and just tell you to buy a new battery anyway.
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From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
You can go with @Senecat suggestion as well if your batteries already have some years in them. Likely they do not have much life in them anyways.
And the stubborn technical route is to "properly" test them. Supposedly MB uses Midtronics battery testers for assessing battery health at dealerships, the same testers that SamsClub uses here in the US. As Senecat mentioned these are not "cheapO" testers (Low end , Higher end )
