Hi,

 

I'm starting to suspect the battery in my recently-purchased used II FL petrol vRS may not have the magic it once had. The other day, after a half hour drive, I sat waiting for someone and listening to the radio. After about 30 minutes I heard the low pitched bongs and the radio went into power save.

 

Halfords have the Yuasa 5000 Silver series batteries. There are various other options, including the Optima red and yellow batteries. Is there any particular battery you would recommend? The car is pretty standard, apart from a dash cam going in soon. No heavyweight after market stereo gear.

 

There seems to be some confusion as to which the correct battery is for my car (I'm not at home so I can't check what's fitted.) Every battery finder I've put the car details into says something different. Halfords say the correct Yuasa battery is the HSB013. The Amazon battery compatibility things says it's the YBX5027, for example. Can anyone please confirm what the correct battery type is for a 2012 Mk II FL petrol vRS please?

 

Thanks,

Paul.

eBay seem to have the Yuasa battery I looked at 075 for another car £6 more than the TPS price inc delivery. Halfords charging about double. Sorry can’t help I know type 096 works for diesels. 

Hi there, I have a pre FL petrol so I cant help on the exact model but I do have a Yuasa Silver which I fitted back in the autumn and it's been great. I too had the same issues with the battery draining after very short periods with the radio on etc.

Not sure what the cost is from Halfords but I bought mine from GSF (reserved online and collected and paid locally in-store) . They have another 60% sale on at the moment, at the time is was way cheaper than Halfords so I'd guess the same would apply now as well.

 

Before spending money, check the radio. It's quite possible it's the standard 30min then off for the radio.

Thank you all.

 

I thought the 30 minutes auto shutoff could well be normal. It was the three low bongs that went with it plus the RAC inspector who checked the car saying the battery was low that made me wonder.

Hi Papfox

The correct battery for your car is the YBX5927. My car is the same model as yours, except it was was new in December 2011. I got the size of the new battery from measuring the original one and then decided to get a Yuasa Silver Battery from GSF Car parts last November. The Yuasa has a better power output than the original battery. The GSF ref number on my receipt is, 971NA0410. The cost was £79.15. Don't go to Halfords for it, as you will end up paying a hell of a lot more for the same battery.  Hope this helps.

Thank you.

 

Is there anyone who believes the huge price premium for an Optima Yellow Top over a Yuasa Silver would be money well spent please?

Edited 22 December, 20187 yr by Papfox

The Optima's are, for an average car, overkill.

 

The Red tops are start accu's, so no problem to use those. They are able to deliver (much) higher starting currents compared to general batteries like the Yuasa.

The Yellow tops are deep cycle. They are able to deliver high currents for a longer time and can handle deep-discharge much better. 

 

But for your normal car.. both is not needed. the starting current is indicated in the CCA rating: Cold Cranking Amps, the max amps it can deliver. 

A normal battery has about 500-700CCA. This is sufficient for most cars, including the VRS. Most cars 'only' draw 150-250A.

Diesel engines usually draw more current than their petrol brothers, but even for a decent 2.0 diesel engine 600CCA is fine.

 

When you want to start a big ass truck with a huge engine you're going to need more starting amps. 

A higher CCA is always good, since the battery capacity is lower in low temperatures. But I don't see any reason to have such an overkill battery, unless you're living in an area with regular temperature drops of -30 degrees.

 

The yellow top is more suitable for high current using equipment like fork lifts and so on. If your engine doesn't start after 1min of cranking you have a problem.. No need to have a battery which can provide you with 15min of cranking amps... doesn't make any sense

 

I would stick with a Varta, Yuasa or Bosch. I only would fit the biggest one which can fit, since its only a few bucks price difference and still provides (slightly more) capacity in winter times.

 

Batteries don't last forever. High temperatures are bad for them.. so many batteries 'die' during the hot summer days. However, you don't always notice this since a bad battery with 600CCA still can provide 200CCA while in bad shape.. you'll notice it in winter time, when the starting current drops by 40% or so due to temperature, while the starter engine requires more power (thicker oil and so on)

 

On the long run, its better (for an average car) to spend the money on a good battery and replace it in 6 years, instead of buying a battery of twice the price which lasts 8 year...

 

 

Edited 22 December, 20187 yr by DJSmiley

6 hours ago, roaddetective said:

Hi Papfox

The correct battery for your car is the YBX5927. My car is the same model as yours, except it was was new in December 2011. I got the size of the new battery from measuring the original one and then decided to get a Yuasa Silver Battery from GSF Car parts last November. The Yuasa has a better power output than the original battery. The GSF ref number on my receipt is, 971NA0410. The cost was £79.15. Don't go to Halfords for it, as you will end up paying a hell of a lot more for the same battery.  Hope this helps.

Typo error, should read YBX5027, NOT YBX5927.