A4 B8 battery replacement

[Condi]

Just replacing my battery as Ive a few warning lights which the garage suggested might be down to a battery on the way out, which fits in with some slow starting on cold mornings now.

Question; can I just rip the old one out and replace with the new one, or do I need to recode the ECU through vagcom? Or is it best to hook the car upto a 2nd battery via jump leads so there is no interruption to power to save settings etc??


It all used to be so simple, once you get to the stage of coding batteries onto cars you do wonder if its all a bit much!

[s4tronic]

Not straight forward at all. Needs to be coded, there is a documented procedure but since replacement batteries dont have right code to use its not possible to do. I replaced it myself and tried to code using made up code but following the pattern so to speak and I dont think car ever realised battery was new. For the sake of saving £100 or so I would get main dealer to do it.

[Condi]

Ok, so just read the manual and yes says it needs to be coded. Bit of a pain in the arse, but not too much of a problem.

Much bigger problem is that Ive bought (and fitted!) a Bosch replacement, and the manual says it needs to be AGM, whereas my new one isnt. The original battery is a VARTA 95ah, 850 cca battery, the replacement is a 72ah and 680cca. Will that be enough power or have I just wasted £70! A direct replacement would be £150, which is more than Ive spent on every battery Ive ever bought!