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I've read several threads on batteries and was thoroughly confused by conflicting info. Hopefully I can get a consensus here.
I need to replace the battery on my daughter's 08 Justa (manual, 104k miles). I picked one up at Costco, but before I put it in...
1) Do Mini's need to have an AGM battery?
*The one I bought sloshes, so it isn't an AGM. I'd rather not pull the old battery to check until I can stick a tender on the cables for a quick swap so I don't lose all of the computer settings.
2) To register the battery with the car's computer or not.
*Everyone says to register the battery to the car. That only seems necessary if you have an IBS (apparently Intelligent Battery Sensor NOT Irritable Bowel Syndrome) I looked up some pictures and there isn't a block of any sort on the negative terminal so I don't think I have an IBS. There is a 4-5 inch black box next to the battery, but it looks like the positive cables go there so I'm assuming it is likely a big fuse block.
So in summary, just put in the battery I have (which is also a slightly larger group 48) and be done with it. Or put in an AGM and get a mechanic to register it. BTW my Costco battery was about $100 and an AGM from a local auto parts store is about $200. I'll do it if that's what I need though.
Last edited by SlothsRUs; Nov 4, 2017 at 04:05 PM.
Thanks for the link. It seems I don't need to worry about registration since the car doesn't appear to have an IBS. Either type of battery seems ok, but AGM is better (which I already knew).
It's not mandatory to use an AMG battery.
Your new battery should only match or exceed the specs of your original battery (EN and SAE specifications).
This is important for the proper functioning of your Mini (ignition, operation of all electrical devices, recharging power from you OEM alternator, etc.)
Originally Posted by SlothsRUs
2) To register the battery with the car's computer or not.
It's very important that you register your new battery.
This is because the car must "know it" because depending on the age of your battery, is the way it will be charged by the aternator (the times and load cycles change with registered battery age).
Do you want your new battery to be charged as a 5-year old battery?
No.
Because that will shorten its lifespan
It's very important that you register your new battery.
This is because the car must "know it" because depending on the age of your battery, is the way it will be charged by the aternator (the times and load cycles change with registered battery age).
Do you want your new battery to be charged as a 5-year old battery?
No.
Because that will shorten its lifespan
Thanks
This 08 Justa doesn't appear to have an Intelligent Battery Sensor though, so there isn't anything to register. Photos and descriptions I've found online show a small box attached to the negative battery clamp. Mine doesn't have that. I lucked out as a local independent shop quoted $115 just to register the battery!
Thanks
This 08 Justa doesn't appear to have an Intelligent Battery Sensor though, so there isn't anything to register. Photos and descriptions I've found online show a small box attached to the negative battery clamp. Mine doesn't have that. I lucked out as a local independent shop quoted $115 just to register the battery!
The "registration" set to "0" the battery age parameter in the ECU.
Depending on this value is how the ECU is going to "tell" the alternator to charge the battery. If you don't register it, your new battery will be charged as if it has the age of the replaced battery.
I understand that doing it is a bit expensive (it's a 5-minute task).
Most people change their battery without registering it and I never heard of a serious issue because of it.
If it has IBS it will be here. And you just need to register the car to the new battery. The System regulates the charge as the battery gets older to in theory to extend the battery life. Little more info: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-pictures.html
Looks like this :
If it has the normal cable, no IBS and no registration needed.
