Been researching AGM and EFB Stop/Start batteries for my 1.4l Octavia. They seem to vary from £100 up to over £300 on line, but a lot are out of stock. Hmm. 

Anyway, EFB batteries seem to be appropriate for my system and have had a Varta one fitted under warranty. The EFB type seems to be correct and the AGM type is for a system with a deeper discharge. Some websites recommend the AGM type for my car. Which models definitely need an AGM battery?

Edited 18 May, 20197 yr by gregoir
space

I thought ones with start stop.  My battery was an original AGM and when it died I put a Halfords AGM battery in, I got it for £127 with a trade card and not had any issues since fitting 5 months ago

The AGM batteries are indeed suitable for Stop/Start but so are the EFB batteries, for a car like mine anyway.  I'm just , out of curiosity, trying to figure the different applications.

I had an EFB Varta battery fitted and here is a link to their site explaining the differences between EFB and AGM.

https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/efb-or-agm-which-battery-do-i-need

 

Do any Skodas need the AGM because of the 'recuperation'? To me that just means recharging.

I had assumed that by 'recuperation' they meant proper regenerative braking, but I believe the Octavia targets the 80% charge level as described in the recuperation section at https://batteryworld.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/battery-types-for-automatic-start-stop-systems
The Octavia turning its alternator on during engine braking is certainly nothing like proper regenerative braking.

I think they just toss a coin and whatever the outcome you either get an AGM or EFB

The price difference in the AGM batteries compared to the EFB isn't that much. If you're needing to change your battery, put the better AGM battery in.

 

If your battery is 096, same as mine, then this would be ideal....... Bosch S5 Car Battery 096 - carparts4less.co.uk

 

Just seen they've a 15% discount and you can get it for a £110!!! Bargain price that.

 

Only thing you may need to do is 'tell' the car you've got a better battery fitted. 

Edited 19 May, 20197 yr by tunedude
missed a bit

 

Does an average garage or Halfords, have the competency to "tell" the car that a different type of battery has been fitted?

Not knocking Halfords, they were excellent at changing batteries on two older cars recently.

Edited 19 May, 20197 yr by gregoir

38 minutes ago, gregoir said:

Does an average garage or Halfords, have the competency to "tell" the car that a different type of battery has been fitted?

Not knocking Halfords, they were excellent at changing batteries on two older cars recently.

 

As in do (Halfords) code the car to say the battery has been changed ...... no that I am aware of.  A garage with the relevant VCDS or appropriate kit may do if they no it needs doing.  I believe you reset something and set the battery amps if it differs.

8 hours ago, tunedude said:

The price difference in the AGM batteries compared to the EFB isn't that much. If you're needing to change your battery, put the better AGM battery in.

 

If your battery is 096, same as mine, then this would be ideal....... Bosch S5 Car Battery 096 - carparts4less.co.uk

 

Just seen they've a 15% discount and you can get it for a £110!!! Bargain price that.

 

Only thing you may need to do is 'tell' the car you've got a better battery fitted. 

 

Is that Bosch S5 an EFB or AGM? I don't think it is either?

 

As others have mentioned, AGM is barely much more expensive than EFB but rated for more stop/start cycles etc. I'd be spending the extra on AGM and plan to do so when my 6 year old OEM EFB eventually dies.

1 hour ago, ScoutCJB said:

 

As in do (Halfords) code the car to say the battery has been changed ...... no that I am aware of.  A garage with the relevant VCDS or appropriate kit may do if they no it needs doing.  I believe you reset something and set the battery amps if it differs.

 

@gregoir when I swapped mine I just needed to change the battery serial number on VCDS. Didn't need to tell the car anything else.

 

That was why I done it myself as I know a lot of gaffs do as above; sell it and just replace the battery. 

 

You'd need to tell it the same, but if you fit an AGM you'd need to tell it the amp hour rating and that it is an AGM battery. If you don't you won't get the full ability of the battery as the car will be treating it like an EFB and charging it in the same way ie 65AH instead of 70AH.

 

Just now, ahenners said:

 

Is that Bosch S5 an EFB or AGM? I don't think it is either?

 

It's an AGM battery. Bosch S5 AGM battery

8 minutes ago, tunedude said:

 

@gregoir 

 

 

It's an AGM battery. Bosch S5 AGM battery

 

The image on the Bosch link shows S5 A08, whereas the one on CP4L shows S5 008. 

 

The one you linked on CP4L is not AGM as per the listing here on Tayna:

 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s5008/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_YPnBRBREiwAIP6TJwpyU4_FobdNHefciSU3xl7WAVDUNYWyouW3kA2BiZeYS0KOL6x8LxoCF2gQAvD_BwE

 

@gregoir apologies for the tag, couldn't remove you from the quote on my phone from some reason.

7 minutes ago, ahenners said:

 

The image on the Bosch link shows S5 A08, whereas the one on CP4L shows S5 008. 

 

The one you linked on CP4L is not AGM as per the listing here on Tayna:

 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s5008/?gclid=CjwKCAjw_YPnBRBREiwAIP6TJwpyU4_FobdNHefciSU3xl7WAVDUNYWyouW3kA2BiZeYS0KOL6x8LxoCF2gQAvD_BwE

 

@gregoir apologies for the tag, couldn't remove you from the quote on my phone from some reason.

 

Schoolboy error............ here's the AGM one. Not that much more to be fair

 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/bosch/s5a08/

 

Edited 19 May, 20197 yr by tunedude