S8code3

Hi guys - I'm curious to know how long your original battery lasted before replacement?

jakematic

5 years, Southern car.
I say Southern because we don't do a lot of cranking at -20, and it is regularly over 100F in summer.

My Ford's lasted about the same, but I usually change every 3 years.

Vicl

Hmm… I guess it depends from the driving habits and etc. My battery last for a long time. 10 years minimum. On my old V8 I’ve changed the original battery when it was 14 years old. Now it is 21 years old and I’m using aftermarket battery made in USA, but it is still running well with no sign of weakness. And I live in Canada. We have winter here

So, I guess it is really depends.

My "new" A8 is already almost 5 years old and it is till good battary as well

kbaum17

Had a 1997 A8 in USA. State of Minnesota (so very cold during winter months). never once replaced the battery. Had 160k miles. Sold on January 9, 2012

S8code3

Wow - impressive!

I'm assuming the batteries lasting the longest were in your daily driver?

Mister Bally

Heat is what kills batteries, not cold. Cold weather will reveal a battery that has reached the end of useful life. Also note for USA, there are two classes of batteries; one for cold climate areas and one for hot. They shold not be switched. This mainly affects those who move from say minnesota to south Texas or vice-versa.

uberwgn

At some point in time, Audi switched to an AGM-type battery which tends to last longer than a traditional battery.

(I called the dealer for pricing on an OE replacement battery for our C6 A6 a couple weeks ago and they reported $315 installed.)

mishar

I've just changed battery on my F-150. Costco, $90, 10 years warranty. Bigger than A8's. And not to forget - Canada Costco is more expensive than US Costco.

Point is: It is only battery.

uberwgn

I'm not certain it's that simple. The batteries are AGM and they are more $$$ than a conventional flooded lead-acid design. And there's the issue of the car's on-board power management feature.

mishar

Sure there are better batteries. Question is if using one would make any difference. In my opinion it won't.

What "issue of the car's on-board power management feature" you are talking about and how is it related to the difference between AGM and flooded battery design?