Newbie here, hello all! Changing my Battery for the first time
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: San Francisco
Current: '07 SL550 & '14 GLK350. Previously owned: '06 ML350, '05 SL500, '99 ML320 & '98 SLK230 (RI
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 7
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From: Raleigh, NC
2015 GLK350
When MB batteries are good, they come with only 2 years warranty for price 3x higher than what you will pay at Costco or PepBoys.
Those places should match the battery to your car.
Those days lot of sites will force you to buy AGM, but flooded batteries seems to last longer.
Those places should match the battery to your car.
Those days lot of sites will force you to buy AGM, but flooded batteries seems to last longer.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 57
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From: DFW, Texas
GLK350 4Matic
Lot of misinformation here...
4. AGM start being marketed in America about year 2012, while per my knowledge European models still used flooded batteries. X204 was design to work with flooded batteries and I doubt the software changed it over the years. There is simply no need for changes.
4. AGM start being marketed in America about year 2012, while per my knowledge European models still used flooded batteries. X204 was design to work with flooded batteries and I doubt the software changed it over the years. There is simply no need for changes.
The factory AGM battery lasted 5 years, replaced it with a Duralast Platinum flooded which only lasted 1.5 years, went back in with a Advanced Auto AGM and it's going on 5 years with no issues.
Besides, you can go to Batteries Plus and get a Duracell AGM for $200 with a 5 year replacement warranty.
What would justify buying a flooded battery for the same price as an AGM?
I wont bother repeating what others have already said on this thread other than my personal experience shows that the AGM battery is needed unless you want to replace the battery every couple of years.
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From: Redding, CA
'85 190D , '12 E350 BlueTec, '13 GLK 250 BlueTec
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
[QUOTE=kajtek1;8349322 AGM batteries were developed for upside down applications, so when you plan to use it that way, you might want to consider it.[/QUOTE]
The previous post not withstanding,
I thought that was the realm of the SLA battery. But the AGM will maintain power long enough for mBrace to call for help in a rollover.
The previous post not withstanding,
I thought that was the realm of the SLA battery. But the AGM will maintain power long enough for mBrace to call for help in a rollover.
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From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
I noticed no one hear mentioned that the OE Mercedes batteries are silver calcium. They are made from lead–calcium–silver alloy, instead of the traditional lead–antimony. You will not get a flood siclver calcium battery from an auto parts tore shelf. They are prove to last longer than traditional batteries and retain cranking power longer.
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Interesting. I've seen Ford advertise this battery technology. But the MBUSA site just talks about AGM batteries and "German technology." Johnston Controls used to make Mercedes Benz batteries, but the also made many of the top selling brands, too. My GLK350 manual mentioned that it had a "battery designed for the life of the vehicle." It didn't. When I asked the dealer, I was told that it was a carbon-lithium battery. It wasn't and I replaced it with an off the shelf AGM battery. The battery in the GLK didn't have any special appearance, but it had a black case and not the translucent one that the Johnston Controls ones had. There was nothing on it to indicate the manufacturer. Maybe that "designed for life" was the indication that it was a bit different.
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From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
Interesting. I've seen Ford advertise this battery technology. But the MBUSA site just talks about AGM batteries and "German technology." Johnston Controls used to make Mercedes Benz batteries, but the also made many of the top selling brands, too. My GLK350 manual mentioned that it had a "battery designed for the life of the vehicle." It didn't. When I asked the dealer, I was told that it was a carbon-lithium battery. It wasn't and I replaced it with an off the shelf AGM battery. The battery in the GLK didn't have any special appearance, but it had a black case and not the translucent one that the Johnston Controls ones had. There was nothing on it to indicate the manufacturer. Maybe that "designed for life" was the indication that it was a bit different.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
My car didn't start yesterday (-15F) so I spent an hour or so researching batteries this morning.
AGM batteries consistently have a shorter warranty than an equivalent flooded cell battery from the same manufacturer, typically 3 years vs. 4.
Varta is owned by Johnson Controls, as are many other brands.
Bosch batteries are made by Exide, as are many other brands.
Most of the rest are made by East Penn, including NAPA, which only carry an 18 month warranty.
The same NAPA battery, under the O'Reilly name, carries a 3 year warranty but costs $10 more.
AGM batteries consistently have a shorter warranty than an equivalent flooded cell battery from the same manufacturer, typically 3 years vs. 4.
Varta is owned by Johnson Controls, as are many other brands.
Bosch batteries are made by Exide, as are many other brands.
Most of the rest are made by East Penn, including NAPA, which only carry an 18 month warranty.
The same NAPA battery, under the O'Reilly name, carries a 3 year warranty but costs $10 more.
Last edited by John CC; Jan 20, 2022 at 08:50 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
My car didn't start yesterday (-15F) so I spent an hour or so researching batteries this morning.
AGM batteries consistently have a shorter warranty than an equivalent flooded cell battery from the same manufacturer, typically 3 years vs. 4.
Varta is owned by Johnson Controls, as are many other brands.
Bosch batteries are made by Exide, as are many other brands.
Most of the rest are made by New Penn, including NAPA, which only carry an 18 month warranty.
The same NAPA battery, under the O'Reilly name, carries a 3 year warranty but costs $10 more.
AGM batteries consistently have a shorter warranty than an equivalent flooded cell battery from the same manufacturer, typically 3 years vs. 4.
Varta is owned by Johnson Controls, as are many other brands.
Bosch batteries are made by Exide, as are many other brands.
Most of the rest are made by New Penn, including NAPA, which only carry an 18 month warranty.
The same NAPA battery, under the O'Reilly name, carries a 3 year warranty but costs $10 more.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
AGM is what your mb was designed for , AGM are superior in many many ways.
1 . They last longer , easily 7 -9 years, mine was still fine at about 450cca when I replaced it at 8 years. I just didn’t want to go through -20f without assurances.
2 . They can be discharged to a much lower voltage without damage , unlike lead a acid. One full discharge can ruin a lead acid battery . No so with AGM.
3 . You don’t have to worry about corroded terminals or hydrogen gas , as they are dry and sealed.
4. They hold a charge longer than lead acid. They don’t self discharge as fast. This is needed for all the electronics you have.
5 it won’t leak if cracked in an accident.
It is a better battery, yes it costs more. Your mb was designed for it. That battery box cover will hold hydrogen gas from a lead acid , that will corrode your terminals. You don’t get corrosion with an AGM . Think of needing to clean your terminals every year or so because you didn’t get an AGM. My 8 year old terminals didn’t need cleaning. I don’t understand the warranty issue, but in real life they work better.
1 . They last longer , easily 7 -9 years, mine was still fine at about 450cca when I replaced it at 8 years. I just didn’t want to go through -20f without assurances.
2 . They can be discharged to a much lower voltage without damage , unlike lead a acid. One full discharge can ruin a lead acid battery . No so with AGM.
3 . You don’t have to worry about corroded terminals or hydrogen gas , as they are dry and sealed.
4. They hold a charge longer than lead acid. They don’t self discharge as fast. This is needed for all the electronics you have.
5 it won’t leak if cracked in an accident.
It is a better battery, yes it costs more. Your mb was designed for it. That battery box cover will hold hydrogen gas from a lead acid , that will corrode your terminals. You don’t get corrosion with an AGM . Think of needing to clean your terminals every year or so because you didn’t get an AGM. My 8 year old terminals didn’t need cleaning. I don’t understand the warranty issue, but in real life they work better.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
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From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
It? Varta? At least one of us is wrong...
https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/insi...-car-batteries
https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/insi...-car-batteries
In January 2018, Energizer announced it was purchasing the global battery and lighting division from Spectrum Brands, which includes the Ray-O-Vac and Varta brands, for $2 billion in cash.[7] This acquisition was finalized in January 2019 after a lengthy regulatory approval process. In November 2018, Energizer also purchased the global auto care division from Spectrum (brands which include Armor All, STP, and A/C Pro) for $1.25 billion in cash and stock.
but then i see stuff from 2017 and 2020 that sayt JC owns it.
Maybe it is all one giant company that says they are many company's for legal reasons.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Companies with "Holdings" in their name are generally holding companies and don't actually manufacture anything; the companies they hold do the heavy lifting. (I know, semantics...)
Sounds like flashlight batteries, not automotive batteries. That would fit better with the "number of personal care businesses," too.
Johnson Controls automotive battery business was spun off in 2019 an now operates under the name "Clarios" and manufactures [the rest is pasted from Wikipedia] automotive batteries for passenger cars, heavy and light duty trucks, utility vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts and boats. It supplies more than one third of the world's lead-acid batteries to automakers and aftermarket retailers including Wal-Mart, Sears, Toyota, and BMW. Lead acid battery brands produced under this business unit include Continental, OPTIMA, Heliar, LTH, Delkor and VARTA automotive batteries
Sounds like flashlight batteries, not automotive batteries. That would fit better with the "number of personal care businesses," too.
Johnson Controls automotive battery business was spun off in 2019 an now operates under the name "Clarios" and manufactures [the rest is pasted from Wikipedia] automotive batteries for passenger cars, heavy and light duty trucks, utility vehicles, motorcycles, golf carts and boats. It supplies more than one third of the world's lead-acid batteries to automakers and aftermarket retailers including Wal-Mart, Sears, Toyota, and BMW. Lead acid battery brands produced under this business unit include Continental, OPTIMA, Heliar, LTH, Delkor and VARTA automotive batteries
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From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I got whatever AGM battery was sold at local autozone (last MB battery didn't last too long). Have the same in my toyota for a few years now.
If not driving for prolonged periods (a week or more) or taking only short drives, use trickle charger.
If not driving for prolonged periods (a week or more) or taking only short drives, use trickle charger.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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C300 4matic
Our EOM battery lasted forever
Well, maybe not forever but just replaced our 2013 battery, it lasted 10 years. Just replaced with another Mercedes battery. Curious on the lifespan of the auxiliary battery, and wouldn’t that keep all the electronics programmed when replacing the standard battery?
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
I don’t think the auxiliary battery does that on a GLK. I used a keeper plugged into the OBD port when I changed mine. The aux battery is there to run the transmission pump when the eco-stop is active.
