Anybody checked the price of a battery?

[Difinity]

I usually paid about $200 for the battery in the Saab. Supercheap etc as a source. Every few years, would die with no warning...

[Tigger]

I usually paid about $200 for the battery in the Saab. Supercheap etc as a source. Every few years, would die with no warning...

What...do you mean Saab as a company would die every few years without warnings??
Seems to be the sad case that everyone that touches the company wants out so soon after buying it!....

[Difinity]

Yeah. Kinda looks like that now. GM managed to lock up all the valuable bits from the factory so anybody who bought the name got none of the advanced engineering. Of course, GM mostly don't use the engineering either - they seem to prefer Korean design.
however, it was my battery that used to due every few years. Car is in Canberra though, and spent many months parked outside on the cold...

[Ocy_RS_TDi_Kombi]

Speaking of batteries on the way home from work last nite the fuel lite came on so pulled into the servo and filled up the Ocy. The themo fans were both running as they do sometimes but when I got back to the car cranked it over and nothing, just tick tick tick. Turned off all the electrical stuff (auto lites, fan, interior lites, etc) tried it again and nothing. The battery was dead.

Called Skoda Assist and a guy was there approx 30 minutes later and said the battery was totally flat. He checked the alternator and said that was fine. He said that batteries typically last 3-4 years and mine being 3 1/2 years old was spot on average. He said it is also quite common for the battery totally die like that without warning.

I had 2 options:

1) He can jump start me but once I turn off the car it won't start again.

2) Get them to install a new battery which he had in the ute.

$290 later and all was good.

What was interesting though when I went to move the car away from the diesel pumps the power steering had assistance in it even though the motor wasn't running (keys were in it in the On position). I thought the power steering only worked with the motor on?

Cheers

[k_rider]

I thought the power steering only worked with the motor on?

Electric power steering. There is an electric motor providing the assist, rather than the more common hydraulic pressure (from a pump driven by a belt from the crankshaft). More and more manufacturers are moving to electric assist, as it's more fuel efficient and they can add funky things like self-parking!

Your battery obviously still had enough charge to run the power steering. Quite often the case, where a dying battery will still happily power everything else, but won't have the capacity to turn the starter motor.

One of the oddest symptoms I've experienced with a dying battery was in the Mitsu Verada I used to own. The car would start perfectly OK, with no sign at all that the starter motor was struggling, only for the engine to stall about three seconds afterwards. Re-start and it would run just fine. It apparently was a common symptom with that particular engine (moreover the ECU, I'd guess). As soon as I replaced the battery, the problem was solved...

[Mysticality]

The electric power steering will turn itself on if you're moving over... I think its 3 or 5km/h.

Probably to assist with moving the car around yards and things. I found that out rolling down a hill with the engine not on
Remember, its electric, not hydraulic!

[brad]

I would not be going to any car dealer to replace a battery unless it is a warranty claim - it will be a recipe to be overcharged.

Century Batteries make replacement batteries in Australia for VW/Audi/Skoda vehicles. The replacement for a Skoda Octavia TDI is code DIN65LH and has a retail price of $209 but I've seen it for $179. Petrol models will probably use a smaller and therefore cheaper battery. There is an online catalogue on Century's website to tell you the right battery for your car.

No doubt there are cheaper batteries from Asia but I have always got good life out of locally made Century batteries.

Generally I would agree but the cheapest & best battery i ever bought was a Panasonic for my Nissan from a Nissan dealer. They'd been pulled straight out of Patrols that were headed to the Police Dept & the police wanted bigger batteries or something. $70 instead of the $140 for a heavy duty somethingorother at Supercheap (right next door). It was just dumb luck that I called in to Nissan for floor mats first.

Century have never been a good battery for me. They seem to be badly made.

Has anyone actually priced a replacement Varta yet. I recall somebody did & they were premium priced but not OTT - about $250ish? Prices vary greatly between dealers I believe.

[code618]

Just fitted a Century in the Octavia - about $160.
Previous experiences with Century have been fine for me.....
Did not wait for it to die but replaced at 4yrs on recomendation of mechanic.

[Martin]

One point to note with these electric assist power steering units,
Try to always turn the steering wheel when the car is moving!
Even just creaping one foot, makes a huge difference and reduction in load on the power steering
I had problems teaching a learner to park who keep steering while the car was stationary
The electric power steering assist overheated and shut down
Turning the key fully off and restarting reset it - but give it a rest

Turning while moving is kinder to your tires also

Did not wait for it to die but replaced at 4yrs on recomendation of mechanic.

Very good call...

[k_rider]

Turning while moving is kinder to your tires also

Not to mention steering box/rack, steering arms and ball joints...

I think those of us that learned to drive in cars with "armstrong" steering (ie no power assist) got into the habit of only turning the steering wheel when the car was moving - it was next to impossible to do otherwise!

I cringe every time I see drivers just spin their steering wheel from dead ahead to full lock in a stationary car, they clearly have absolutely no mechanical sympathy whatsoever!