Battery Life

[PeterHBne]

I've had my Pog since Aug 07 so nearly 3 years old. Still using the original battery though it sounds like it could be just starting to slow down. I'm wondering what sort of battery life others have had?

[Transporter]

In my T5 the battery died after 2 years. However Varta batteries improved in last years. How long your battery lasts depends from how many starts you do per day and how long your daily trips are. I do a lot of short trips and and first 2 years I never charged up battery from the battery charger, it extends the life of the battery if you use battery in such conditions I do. After the dealer replaced the first battery for free I bought CTEK battery charger and I charge the battery once a week, now after 3 years second battery cranks strong even on very cold mornings.

Generally a good battery should last 4-5 years and I saw some batteries to last 8-10 years, they were GS, Panasonic and Yuassa batteries in Jap cars.

[noone]

I'm still using the orignal battery (I assume) in an '06 Polo. No issues yet...

[blutopless2]

as stated above it really depends upon what you do with it. In our cabrio i replaced the battery after 5 years from new. nothing wrong with it afaik but it had a hard life for the last 12 months as the car did not get regular long drives and i had let it go flat a few times and jump started it to get it going. Flattening and recharging is not good for a battery. They are best kept topped up if you can. lots of starts for short driving distances are also not good for them.
After we replaced the battery the new one died within 6 months and had it replaced under warranty with no faults in the new battery so far. I now have a trickle charger that is connected to the battery all the time to keep it topped up.

[philthy]

My original battery died yesterday (early 06 build). It had been cranking slowly for a month or so and the cooler weather got the better of it.

[insanekiwi]

Still on original battery from Feb 06 registered - probably Dec 05 assembled car. Starts strong first time all the time, has ipod getting charged all the time in situ.

[Jmac]

Anything over 3 yrs is on borrowed time in my opinion. Best of all which makes it hard unless it showing obvious signs it can test good and die a couple of days later. Temperature change is a biggie. The cold in the Uk likked them and the heat here kills them. They can short at the drop of a hat, epsecially after the shelf life. Teasing it by leaving a light on or a radio on can be the catalyst. You would be amazed when i was back in dealerland how many batterys we changed in the 1st year of warranty. This goes for Porsche,Audi and vw where ive worked, no different. Batteries piled to the roof is common place
Cheers
Jmac

[neil]

I really think it depends on what motor you have and the brand of battery.
Diesel is going to have a larger battery and should last longer.
As mentioned above try and buy a Yuassa or any made in Australia.

NRMA = fully imported crap (lasted 18 months in parents car)

My old isuzu ute 20 years old next year is now on its 3rd battery, replaced again about 12 months ago .
First two lasted about 9 years each,
First was a Yuassa made in Japan , secound yuassa made in Australia, third century made in Australia
from the factory which made yuassa so I'm told to believe, could not get a yuassa this time.

You could try Inox a battery conditioner to extend the life of battery.

[Transporter]

I really think it depends on what motor you have and the brand of battery.
Diesel is going to have a larger battery and should last longer.

Diesel engine also drain/load battery with much bigger current than petrol, they also crank longer in cold and use glow plugs that put a lot of load on the battery before you even crank the engine, so there is not advantage of bigger battery.

How long your battery will last depends from how pure are metals and other materials they made the battery from, and from other elements.

[m.camo]

Original battery died last week late o7 model, called vw assist and they changed it on warranty

[Transporter]

Perhaps, it is the long time that it takes to get the car to AU which shortens battery's life. Bit more about the batteries in here.

EDIT:

TIP: I you drive mainly short trips get CTEK Battery charger and fully charge your battery once a month. That should extend your battery's life

[firdausasri]

You guys are pretty lucky to have that sort of lifespan, mine 08 made, died off last late last year. Could be because of higher tropical temperature, so I opted for off the shelf DIN66 maintenance free battery. Just wish to relocate the battery to rear for better lifespan.

[ef9]

my 06 POG is still on the original battery, car arrived at the dealers in July 06 (my mate got the car, and sold it to me in June 09, and i know he hasn't change the battery).

[dammfool]

Ive had my tdi polo since april 06 and the battery is still going strong,and im in an out of the car everyday.I probably start it about 10 to 15 times a day and its got 75000 on the clock