Hey,

My car died after being parked for 48 hours while I'm on holiday in Sardinia, far from any city or car mechanic.

I would really appreciate some help confirming the correct replacement battery and the steps needed to install and register it myself.

Car details

Model: Škoda Superb III Combi (2022), L&K

Engine: 2.0 TSI, 272 HP, 4×4

VIN: <Removed>

Start-Stop: Yes

Current battery (factory-installed):

• Manufacturer: Exide (Made in Poland)

• Škoda/VW part number: 5TA 915 105 B

• BEM code on sticker: 5TA915105B

• Battery identification / serial: TU1A10722M03W

• Technology: EFB+

• Capacity: 70 Ah

• Starting current: 700 A (EN/SAE/GS) / 420 A (DIN)

• Voltage: 12 V

Plan of action

I'm considering two replacement options plus diagnostic tool.

Battery

Option 1 - Varta Dynamic EFB N70 (570500076K262)

This seems to be the closest replacement for my original Exide EFB+.

• 12 V, 70 Ah

• 760 A (EN)

• EFB technology

Since the technology and capacity are unchanged, I'm hoping the car will work immediately after installation, even without registration.

However, I'll still purchase a diagnostic adapter. I don't want to wait for battery delivery, discover that registration is necessary, and then lose another week waiting for a diagnostic tool.

I'd register the battery regardless, but having it work without immediate registration would be reassuring.

Option 2 - Varta Dynamic AGM A7 (570901076K262)

This would be an upgrade from EFB to AGM.

• 12 V, 70 Ah

• 760 A (EN)

• AGM technology

My understanding is that AGM offers better charge/discharge cycle durability and charge acceptance, particularly during short journeys and frequent Start-Stop operation.

Since this changes the battery technology from EFB to AGM, I understand that the BMS must be configured accordingly.

If the diagnostic tool can reliably handle the full registration procedure, and it's relatively straightforward, I'm leaning toward this option.

Diagnostic tool

I'm planning to purchase a Carista EVO with a Carista Pro subscription to register the replacement battery immediately after installation.

From what I've read, Carista supports battery registration on the Superb III, but I'd appreciate confirmation from anyone who has actually used it, particularly for changing from EFB to AGM.

I'm also open to other diagnostic tools if there's something more reliable, cheaper, or better suited to this task. I have a MacBook, a Windows laptop, and iPhones with me, so I'm fairly flexible regarding software and hardware.

I should also mention that I don't normally work on my car myself, so this is fairly new territory for me. If I'm overlooking something obvious, please let me know.

Thanks, Konrad

Please remove your VIN

@Lee01 @ColinD (or anyone else I can’t think of!)

I personally use carscanner app and the recommended icarpro dongle from Amazon. £35 plus £8 for the pro app. Does nearly everything I need with no subscription

Edited 8 hours ago8 hr by Binx1310

Hi Konrad, a few things that should take the worry out of it.

The car will start and run on the new battery before it's registered, so you won't be stranded waiting for a tool to turn up. Registration is about the long run. The battery energy management in the gateway keeps a model of the old battery's age and cuts back charging as it gets older. If you don't tell it a new one is in, it carries on treating the new battery as the old worn one and never fully charges it.

On the Mk3 it's all in 19 (CAN Gateway), Adaptation. There are four channels:

1. Rated capacity: 70 Ah for either of your Vartas.

2. Battery technology: set it to match what you fit. Yours will currently read EFB+ for the Exide, so EFB for the N70 or AGM (shown as Fleece/AGM) for the A7.

3. Manufacturer: a three letter code. VA0 is Varta (your Exide will show TU3).

4. Serial number: 10 characters from the new battery. If you can't find one, just change the existing value by one digit. The important bit is that it changes, otherwise the car still thinks the old battery is fitted.

Screenshot or write down the original values of all four before you change anything.

On EFB vs AGM: going up from EFB to AGM is fine on a start-stop car as long as you set the technology channel to AGM. The one to avoid is going the other way, AGM down to EFB. So either Varta is a reasonable choice. The AGM gives you more margin for short trips and start-stop, the EFB is the straight like for like.

I can't tell you first hand whether Carista does all four channels on the Superb, but VCDS can, and from what Binx says Car Scanner does it as well, which is a cheaper route.

One more thing worth knowing: a 2022 battery going flat after only 48 hours parked isn't normal. Ask whoever fits it or sells it to test the old one, and if the new one also drops quickly when parked, look for something staying awake and draining it before blaming the battery.

It is worth getting a battery monitor. I have a Bluetooth one from Amazon that works very well. It will help identify if you have a parasitic drain

BM2 Bluetooth Battery Monitor... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VHMJYXY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

3 hours ago, Binx1310 said:

It is worth getting a battery monitor. I have a Bluetooth one from Amazon that works very well. It will help identify if you have a parasitic drain

BM2 Bluetooth Battery Monitor... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VHMJYXY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Good shout, Binx. A monitor like that is handy for spotting a drain, since you can watch the voltage dip overnight. Konrad, if the new battery also sags after a couple of days parked, that would point to something staying awake, so it's worth keeping an eye on the readings once you're sorted.

Hi,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I fear EFB and AGM are note fully interchangeable.

IMHO If OEM battery is EFB, I'd rather go for an EFB instead of gambling a bit on AGM.

Thank you all for help.

I've purchased:
- Varta EFB N70 Battery
- Bosch C30 Charger to try recover old battery & potentially charge the new one
- Vgate iCar Pro 2S to code the new battery
- intAct Battery-Guard Monitor

Now just praying things will arrive, especially worried about battery.