2011 S212 - Time to replace battery

[sub2hours]

I have a 2011 S212 that appears to be on the original battery - 09/11 stamped on the -ve terminal. It's done 118,000 miles and shows no signs of a struggle to start on a cold morning. Do I replace it now or has it a few more years in it yet?

Amazon seem to be doing the equivalent Varta for about £138.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

If it's at least 12.4V at rest with engine off then I'd not replace it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’d replace before it lets you down I did mine (S212 12 plate) a couple of years ago you have done very well at 11 years old. I gave mine a top up charge before fitting which I would recommend. The price you’ve been quoted is very competitive I bought a replacement Varta from Tanya online which arrived next day

 

[00slk]

As Blobcat says
Some batteries seem to give better staying performance than others or same makes, my Bosch S3 battery is no 11 years old that I have in my Triumph 2.5 and it has done well, been run flat more times than I can remember but still hold its charge. Another battery Platinum Prestige that came out of my Daughter in Laws Polo was new in 2006, it's still being used in my TR7. The SL55 battery has been changed 3 times in 5 years, 2 Helfrauds jobbies and 2 MB batteries, though the last seemed to be holding up better, only shows consumers off line after 3 weeks of no use.

 

[mattkh]

Do I replace it now or has it a few more years in it yet?

Check the voltage when cranking. If it goes down to less than 9.5 V, then change it.

 

[Tony Dyson]

I have a 2011 S212 that appears to be on the original battery - 09/11 stamped on the -ve terminal. It's done 118,000 miles and shows no signs of a struggle to start on a cold morning. Do I replace it now or has it a few more years in it yet?

Amazon seem to be doing the equivalent Varta for about £138.

If it's not broke, don't fix it!
My battery was still starting my car @ 12.2v resting and 7.6v cranking when I decided to replace just before winter's cold temperatures set in, Oct '19 and after topping up the electrolyte, restored to 12.6v and I'm still using the original battery in a home back-up system.

Is this yours? https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/?ordering=&A-15=Varta Start-Stop&A-10=AGM&A-22=70

 

[Mr Greedy]

As above. If it's working okay AND you check your voltages and seems okay, carry on.

I changed mine 12 months ago with same car same age, but I could tell the starting was getting a bit laboured on cold mornings, so that was the sign before it let me down.

 

[AnthonyUK]

If it's not broke, don't fix it!
My battery was still starting my car @ 12.2v resting and 7.6v cranking when I decided to replace just before winter's cold temperatures set in, Oct '19 and after topping up the electrolyte, restored to 12.6v and I'm still using the original battery in a home back-up system.

Is this yours? https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/?ordering=&A-15=Varta Start-Stop&A-10=AGM&A-22=70

Mine is from 2005 and has no issues.
I put it on the CTEK a couple of times a year but am fully prepared for it to fail at some point.

https://imgur.com/a/4OgeOej

 

[Blobcat]

Mine is from 2005 and has no issues.
I put it on the CTEK a couple of times a year but am fully prepared for it to fail at some point.

https://imgur.com/a/4OgeOej

Clean that battery terminal up and get some grease on it!!!!

 

[AndySlade]

I have a 2011 S212 that appears to be on the original battery - 09/11 stamped on the -ve terminal. It's done 118,000 miles and shows no signs of a struggle to start on a cold morning. Do I replace it now or has it a few more years in it yet?

Amazon seem to be doing the equivalent Varta for about £138.

If replacing look at Tayna Batteries and compare prices and delivery cost. I have had excellent service from them and delivery is quick.

 

[Chrishazle]

I've found over the years that using a battery conditioner seriously extends battery life. For example, when I bought my 968 coupe in late 1998 4 1/2 years old it was already on its second battery, and a couple of years later I had to again replace the battery. Then I got my garage built and started putting a conditioner on whenever the car was garaged - it was by that time a second car/weekend toy. 10 years later when I sold the car the battery was still fine! I still do that with the SLK, but don't have garage space for the S204, and after battery problems/replacement I bought a battery condition monitor (cheapie from Lidl) that I've rigged so I can see it through the rear screen, if it ever goes red rather than amber or green I run an extension lead to the car and let my SIP Chargestar Smart 18 Automatic battery charger give the battery a full recharge, seems to work OK so far!

 

[Tony Dyson]

Mine is from 2005 and has no issues.
I put it on the CTEK a couple of times a year but am fully prepared for it to fail at some point.

https://imgur.com/a/4OgeOej

And long may it continue, flooded batteries have a reputation of longevity because they can be maintained, where VRLA (technically) cannot.

Clean that battery terminal up and get some grease on it!!!!

BC said it! Clean and Lubricate, your batteries main connections, I use a petroleum jelly and check your electrolyte levels at least once a Year with your annual service.

ETA. Additionally, as it is a flooded battery I would again, once a Year as a maintenance procedure, disconnect from the car and run your Ctek recondition programme on the battery just for good measure.

 

[AnthonyUK]

Clean that battery terminal up and get some grease on it!!!!

TBH - I've been scared to disturb it. I slackened the nut off enough to fit the CTEK quick connect adapter 3-4 years ago and that's it.
It is obviously only external

 

[Blobcat]

TBH - I've been scared to disturb it. I slackened the nut off enough to fit the CTEK quick connect adapter 3-4 years ago and that's it.
It is obviously only external

Get the wire brush out to clear the external corrosion at least, then apply some spray grease / petroleum jelly to stop it tracking down the main lead.

The corrosion can force apart the connection which leads to high resistance, which leads to heat, which leads to fire, which leads to the dark side (well a completely burnt out car...)

 

[AndySlade]

Does anyone remember when you could get a small red toothpaste style tube of battery grease from Holts? Said to stop corrosion and grease battery terminals. Finally used the last of my tube when I changed my battery a couple of years ago. Yes I agree, sort that battery terminal and clamp out pronto!

 

[Tony Dyson]

Does anyone remember when you could get a small red toothpaste style tube of battery grease from Holts? Said to stop corrosion and grease battery terminals. Finally used the last of my tube when I changed my battery a couple of years ago. Yes I agree, sort that battery terminal and clamp out pronto!

You can still get the same, it'd a non-conductive Dielectric grease made from a silicon base with thickeners, often marketed as a tune-up grease used on HT insulator boots as well as battery terminals, petroleum jelly is as good an insulator but a lot cheaper than Dielectric grease. Conductive greases are also manufactured for different applications, they usually contain some elements of Carbon to make it conductive, your battery isn't going to implode if you accidentally use a conductive grease on the terminal but for obvious reasons still better not to.

 

[mioba]

In sum:
Its fine so leave it.
Spray at least some grease on that mess and clean it up.
When it does die - get a MB battery - you see how long they last.