Battery spec for a 2018 2.0TSI 220 Hatch

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Hey folks,

I keep getting a low battery warning on my (new to me) 2018 with 16k miles.  Assuming it's the OEM battery giving up.  Trying to establish whether or not it's an AGM or standard type but there are literally no markings on it, and the book is useless of course.  Can any owners confirm it's an AGM battery I need?  It's an 096 I believe, based on a Reg checker and my tape measure.

 

Thanks and sorry for asking such a seemingly daft question!

[xman]

There must be some markings on the battery somewhere, on the top and on the (long) sides. Have you pulled the felt battery covers back?

 

Before going for a new battery, try a long charge (min 24hrs, preferably 48++hrs) using a quality battery charger that has a maintenance mode (that keeps the voltage at approx 13.6 volts after the bulk/absorption pahase is complete). That should top off the battery, and remove stubborn sulphation. It should also resync the battery management system if its got out of whack with the true state of charge 

Edited 31 July, 2021 by xman

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9 minutes ago, xman said:

There must be some markings on the battery somewhere, on the top and on the (long) sides. Have you pulled the felt battery covers back?

 

Before going for a new battery, try a long charge (min 24hrs, preferably 48++hrs) using a quality battery charger that has a maintenance mode (that keeps the voltage at approx 13.6 volts after the bulk/absorption pahase is complete). That should top off the battery, and remove stubborn sulphation. It should also resync the battery management system if its got out of whack with the true state of charge 

The only face of the battery I cannot see is on the bulkhead side, nothing at all on the rest, surprisingly - and yes I have looked under the felt blanket.  I need to find a long socket set to actually remove it and check the other side as it is not accessible.  I could try a long charge, perhaps that would do it.  Again, need to know whether it's an AGM though!

 

In case it does need swapping, do new batteries need 'coding' in?  This was the case for the AGM on my old BMW.

[xman]

New batteries, EFB or AGM need coding in to prevent possible short service life

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Just now, xman said:

New batteries, EFB or AGM need coding in to prevent possible short service life

Argh, thanks.  Is there an app where I can do this myself via ODBC or will it need someone with access to VCDS? 

[xman]

I think the cheaper alternatives such as OBD Eleven, Carista, ELM27 etc will allow you to do this. Check on their respective websites, maybe other members can comment further.

 

My MY18 1.4tsi SEL exec Superb came with a 59Ah EFB battery (Exide). I imagine that all petrol engined Superbs of MY18 onwards will be EFB types as OE.

 

Some other members have confirmed that a good long charge has restored normal operation.

 

There were a faulty batch of EFB batteries made by MOLL fitted, iirc around 2017, mostly replaced foc under warranty, there may be a TSB (tech service bulletin) relating to this. If yours is a MOLL, check with your dealer.

 

If the top of your battery definitely has no markings, then it could be an cheap aftermarket one fitted to replace the OE, maybe a standard battery (ie not EFB/AGM) which is not a suitable type and incorrectly coded.

 

 

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1 hour ago, xman said:

If the top of your battery definitely has no markings, then it could be an cheap aftermarket one fitted to replace the OE, maybe a standard battery (ie not EFB/AGM) which is not a suitable type and incorrectly coded.

Thank man, all really helpful. I'm beginning to think it may be a very generic battery not up to the job. Picture attached.

 

It wouldn't surprise me to be honest. The Skoda dealer it came from have already proven themselves to be pretty shabby on other issues with the car.

[Breezy_Pete]

That's even got caps to top up the electrolyte levels by the looks of it, proper old school.

[Kenny R]

Certainly looks old school battery, and they’ve removed the stickers to hide the fact it’s the wrong type battery.

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I didn't pay much attention to it, but now you say it... 🤦🏼‍♂️

 

This is a Skoda Approved car! It's not worth the paper it's written on. 

 

Can I replace it with a Varta Silver AGM and recode using ODB Eleven via my ODBC adaptor?

 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/e39/

[xman]

 

OE batteries, EFB and AGM batteries are all no maintenance types, no access to filler caps, usually a "magic eye" ** charge indicator. Even most standard batteries are like that.

 

**maybe AGM batteries don't have a "magic eye" indicator

 

Looks as if the labels have been removed, exposing the factory filler caps so no idea what it is.

 

Complain to the dealer you bought it from.

 

You are also covered by the Skoda Approved Used Warranty, batteries are not excluded as far as I can see.

 

Skoda Approved Used Booklet pdf

 

It may even be illegal to fit a battery that doesn't carry the standard plethora of safety warnings, CE marking and other information required by law.

Edited 31 July, 2021 by xman
Batteries are excluded from warranty - see reply below

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57 minutes ago, xman said:

 

OE batteries, EFB and AGM batteries are all no maintenance types, no access to filler caps, usually a "magic eye" ** charge indicator. Even most standard batteries are like that.

 

**maybe AGM batteries don't have a "magic eye" indicator

 

Looks as if the labels have been removed, exposing the factory filler caps so no idea what it is.

 

Complain to the dealer you bought it from.

 

You are also covered by the Skoda Approved Used Warranty, batteries are not excluded as far as I can see.

 

Skoda Approved Used Booklet pdf

 

It may even be illegal to fit a battery that doesn't carry the standard plethora of safety warnings, CE marking and other information required by law.

Thanks for confirming.  I just assumed the markings were on the side but it seems not.

 

The Approved Warranty guide does in fact say batteries are excluded.  I'll go to my local VAG specialist whom I actually trust. They looked after my old 5 series very well.

 

In all honesty, I had a major battle with the dealer just after purchase over another issue.  I don't have the fight left in me.  Life is too short. The jury is still out on the brand for me, but this'll 100% be the last Skoda I buy from an official main dealer.  I've had dealings with three Skoda dealerships now, and all have been truly terrible.  I have come to the conclusion that the 'approved' scheme is a marketing gimmick which is very hard to hold the dealer too when it comes to it.  Even Skoda UK admitted to me that they (as a customer service team) have no means to hold their own dealers to account if they don't want to co-operate.  They can make calls and send emails but there it stops.  Any real power of sanction sits so far up the corporate tree that it's very had to get any traction as an individual. 

[BigEjit]

It’s either a Moll, Sebang or Banner as it’s got their style of handle. Moll use red seals on their cell plugs. 
 

As you have a low mileage car for the age, it’s likely the battery is goosed through being held at low voltage from not much regular use and lost storage capacity. 

 

Check for a date stamp on one of the terminals, it should match with the age of the car if original.

 

To identify it as AGM or EFB, you can do one of two things, either take the battery out and give it a vigorous wriggle. You will hear the acid slosh about in an EFB. 
 

Or take one of the plugs out of the lid, an EFB will be wet filled and dark, an AGM will have white pockets inside and no visible liquid acid. When you open an AGM, Oxygen is allowed in and will damage the cell functionality but if it’s done anyway…. 

No charge eyes on AGM but EFB’s can be with or without by choice. 

 

[BigEjit]

BTW, as the battery is done, just shove the VARTA AGM with the same case size on it and get it coded. It’ll do the job perfectly. 

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24 minutes ago, BigEjit said:

It’s either a Moll, Sebang or Banner as it’s got their style of handle. Moll use red seals on their cell plugs. 
 

As you have a low mileage car for the age, it’s likely the battery is goosed through being held at low voltage from not much regular use and lost storage capacity. 

 

Check for a date stamp on one of the terminals, it should match with the age of the car if original.

 

To identify it as AGM or EFB, you can do one of two things, either take the battery out and give it a vigorous wriggle. You will hear the acid slosh about in an EFB. 
 

Or take one of the plugs out of the lid, an EFB will be wet filled and dark, an AGM will have white pockets inside and no visible liquid acid. When you open an AGM, Oxygen is allowed in and will damage the cell functionality but if it’s done anyway…. 

No charge eyes on AGM but EFB’s can be with or without by choice. 

 

This is really helpful. There is a date stamp on the flap but I'm not sure if this came with the battery or the car? The date is correct. So is there usually a marking on the terminal itself? I've never noticed that before.

 

If I throw that Varta AGM in will it harm anything if I don't get it coded for a week or two?   

 

I had the Bimmercode app for the old BMW to code new batteries, it was easy. Need to check out some of the options above for VAG.

[xman]

28 minutes ago, graphic said:

 

The Approved Warranty guide does in fact say batteries are excluded.  I'll go to my local VAG specialist whom I actually trust. They looked after my old 5 series very well.

 

 

You are right, I didn't read it correctly, batteries are excluded.

 

There is a dealer review section of Briskoda, pity many don't post their experiences on there, I myself too am reluctant to post much about the carp I've had to put up with over the years with my dealer lest they take umbrage. But a brief review gives others a chance to be prewarned

[BigEjit]

44 minutes ago, graphic said:

This is really helpful. There is a date stamp on the flap but I'm not sure if this came with the battery or the car? The date is correct. So is there usually a marking on the terminal itself? I've never noticed that before.

 

If I throw that Varta AGM in will it harm anything if I don't get it coded for a week or two?   

 

I had the Bimmercode app for the old BMW to code new batteries, it was easy. Need to check out some of the options above for VAG.

AGM’s are the most robust batteries you can get. It will be fine for a few weeks until you can get it coded. I did the same on our ultra low mileage Fab 3, swapped the EFB battery out for an AGM 6 months ago and had it coded in on its major service a few weeks ago.

Edited 31 July, 2021 by BigEjit

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On 31/07/2021 at 21:38, xman said:

 

You are right, I didn't read it correctly, batteries are excluded.

 

There is a dealer review section of Briskoda, pity many don't post their experiences on there, I myself too am reluctant to post much about the carp I've had to put up with over the years with my dealer lest they take umbrage. But a brief review gives others a chance to be prewarned

 

Yes, I will probably post there.  I think (hope) the days of dealership monopoly are numbered for those that don't offer an exceptional service to customers.  When the online dealers are offering no-quibble returns and detailed condition reports some of the shady dealership practices just can't continue for the long term. 

[JR RS]

my original battery (Banner EFB 69Ah 360A) was replaced under the 5-year manufacturer warranty, for free.

car is MY17, and it was replaced last year when i had the 3 yr 60,000 kms service done.

 

new battery they put is an Exide 70Ah 420A EFB+

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Hi folks, thanks for your help on this.  I went over to an Independent Specialist who have now installed and coded an EFB+ for me.  Time to speak to the dealer as this was an Approved car bought only 2 months ago. Although I have little confidence that they will be interested.

 

Having taken the old battery out, there are indeed no stickers.  The only marking stameped into the plastic is "VW AG 0118B", which doesn't throw up anything on Google.  Does anyine recognise this? Is it perhaps a (incorrect) VW part which has had its stickers removed?

[xman]

VW AG means it was made by/for VAG group. (unlikely by)

 

0118 is the production date wk 1 2018

 

B could be anything, a guess would be its a code for Banner or EFB

 

At a complete loss as to why it is unmarked/no label.

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6 minutes ago, xman said:

VW AG means it was made by/for VAG group. (unlikely by)

 

0118 is the production date wk 1 2018

 

B could be anything, a guess would be its a code for Banner or EFB

 

At a complete loss as to why it is unmarked/no label.

Oooh the mystery deepens!  The car was registered March 2018 so that actually adds up.  Perhaps my frustration is unfounded on this occasion then.

[Breezy_Pete]

Are there any witness marks anywhere of where stickers possibly used to be?

Those may have been cleaned away by whoever de-stickered it though, I guess.

 

[xman]

You'll get a good price for the old battery at your local scrap metal merchant

 

https://www.scraprice.com/?view=prices&cat=1&subcat=&country=12

 

From the pics, I see some more marks near the negative post BCE5?

 

Edited 4 August, 2021 by xman

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On 04/08/2021 at 14:12, Wino said:

Are there any witness marks anywhere of where stickers possibly used to be?

Those may have been cleaned away by whoever de-stickered it though, I guess.

 

No, none that I could see.  Looked as it it had never been stickers

 

 but I guess it would depend on whether the stickers were paper or plastic.

 

On 04/08/2021 at 14:59, xman said:

You'll get a good price for the old battery at your local scrap metal merchant

 

https://www.scraprice.com/?view=prices&cat=1&subcat=&country=12

 

From the pics, I see some more marks near the negative post BCE5?

 

 

Interesting, didn't know there was value there.  I let the garage keep it.