Battery - tires easily?

[Ken Figenus]

Just wondering as have been sitting in the car with manual to hand to work out a few of the less intuitive functions (still cant seem to program the 'radio station' numbered buttons as speed dials...) and noted the battery gets tired very quickly and puts the car in low battery mode. This is with no blowers or lights on. Normal? I also noted a dealer started the engine when I was having a listen to the B&O hi fi which I thought strange (a different car though). Motorbike size battery ;-) ?

[thetees]

Ken Figenus said:

Just wondering as have been sitting in the car with manual to hand to work out a few of the less intuitive functions (still cant seem to program the 'radio station' numbered buttons as speed dials...) and noted the battery gets tired very quickly and puts the car in low battery mode. This is with no blowers or lights on. Normal? I also noted a dealer started the engine when I was having a listen to the B&O hi fi which I thought strange (a different car though). Motorbike size battery ;-) ?

Not really, but its a big engine that needs a lot of power to turn it over.
I think there are two issues...
(1) AM's quiescent current is larger than most and
(2) the control system is overly keen on entering 'low battery' mode. Presumably, on the basis that its top priority is that you are able to start the car.

[Ken Figenus]

That all makes sense - especially the 'keen' bit as she always cranks beautifully after going into screen saver mode! Cheers. KF

[mikey k]

Its to protect the "fussy" control modules from spitting their toys when the voltage drops below 10V
Also the same reason why the trickle charger is a prerequisite

[Ken Figenus]

Thanks Mike - noting this I have now bought a CTEK trickle charger as you suggest. I leave it on for 2 weeks when I go on holiday - eek! KF

[X7LDA]

A side point, however:

How old is the car... If it's any older than 5 years - change the battery!

[Ken Figenus]

2.5 yrs so battery should be ok...