Car Battery Help

[tzd]

I have a 2010 Golf 2.5L. Left the headlights on overnight and now the battery is dead. I tried jump starting it, but nothing happens.

I figured I should probably replace the battery since it is already 4.5 years old.

Two questions:

1. Is there any preferred brand/model of battery I should get? My local Pep Boys is selling a Bosch battery, is that okay?

2. After installing the battery, is there anything specific I need to do? I've seen some posts before talking about having to use VAGCOM to reset some settings after disconnecting the battery, but I can't find the specific details.

Thanks for any help.

 

[alpha3]

I like Interstate batteries, but that's just a personal pref.

 

[atikovi]

I'd take Bosch over Interstate any day and if for nothing more than that it's a German brand going into a German car.

 

[finklejag]

Bosch might be a German brand, but the Bosch batteries here are made by one of the few US auto battery companies. I would stay away from Exide. That is all.

 

[Shore GTI]

Interstate Batteries are manufactured by Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls makes the best standard replacement batteries on the market today.
Johnson Controls also make Auto Zone's Dura Last, & Costco's Kirkland car batteries.
Costco now seems to be fazing out the Kirkland label in favor of selling batteries under the Interstate brand name. Costco is a great place to buy an Interstate battery.

I'd purchase OEM, or Interstate, if they make one that fits.

 

[nvturbo]

Last week, I swapped out the old stock battery for a MaxxStart H5 from Walmart. It is 9lbs lighter than the old one BTW. As for replacing it with another stock battery (from VW).....why?

 

[Shore GTI]

Last week, I swapped out the old stock battery for a MaxxStart H5 from Walmart. As for replacing it for a new stock battery (from VW).....why?

I don't know who makes the OEM battery. I've found them to be long lasting.
It lasted 8 or 9 years in the 2004 Mk4 GTI,
& a very long time in my daughter's Jetta.
My daughter starts her car with the A/C & other accessories on.

 

[tzd]

The OEM battery is Varta.

Thanks for all the inputs. I ended up calling AAA to replace the battery. When I did the price quote online for AAA, the website told me the battery would cost $110 before taxes, but including installation and disposal fees. Not a bad deal when I compared to what other batteries cost. So I called them. But when they came, the guy told me the battery costs $143, disposal $7, and I ended up paying $163.59 including taxes.

Oh well, at least my car is working again, after 4 days sitting dead. Just putting this up here as heads up on what AAA does, in case anyone ends up in my situation.

 

[Shore GTI]

Ok. According to Varta's website,
the automotive battery unit was sold to Johnson Controls in 2002. :thumbsup:

Johnson Controls Power Solutions also makes MotorCraft Batteries.

 

[Sleeping Forest1]

just did OEM swap at dealer, they usually have a special. $120 after tax with 5year warrenty, compared to autozone etc that was around $150 with with 3year

 

[nvturbo]

just did OEM swap at dealer, they usually have a special. $120 after tax with 5year warrenty, compared to autozone etc that was around $150 with with 3year

That battery DOES NOT have a 5yr warranty. Someone lied to you.

 

[racermp]

autozone duralast gold.

 

[WAP]

I don't know who makes the OEM battery. I've found them to be long lasting.
It lasted 8 or 9 years in the 2004 Mk4 GTI,
& a very long time in my daughter's Jetta.
My daughter starts her car with the A/C & other accessories on.

I agree. I changed out my Mk4's battery after 7 years just because I thought that was long enough. It was still cranking strong when I replaced it.

Re your daughter, the car disables AC and lights and radio, etc, during start up to conserve dem volts/amps for the starter.

 

[Shore GTI]

I agree. I changed out my Mk4's battery after 7 years just because I thought that was long enough. It was still cranking strong when I replaced it.

Re your daughter, the car disables AC and lights and radio, etc, during start up to conserve dem volts/amps for the starter.

Oh. That's good. At least the car saves her from herself. :thumbsup: