Replace or Recharge Battery

[jmatta]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Do you replace your battery every 3 years?

There is no set age to replace a battery, too many factors influence it's life. You use a battery until it can no longer hold a charge. The battery isn't meant to run the car's electronics, it's meant to provide enough energy to spin the crank, provide enough spark and operate the fuel system until the car starts and the alternator can take over. There's nothing special about the Boxsters needs.

Why risk your car not starting or having problems for a simple maintenance item that costs a hundred or so dollars?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by jmatta

Why risk your car not starting or having problems for a simple maintenance item that costs a hundred or so dollars?

Why spend $100 or so dollars before even finding out if there's a problem?

[KevinH1990]

Update - I brought the battery home and put it on a battery maintainer for a few days. I reinstalled the battery this morning and brought the car home. (My contractor doesn't work on the weekend, so the risk of damage is reduced.)

I drove the car 50 miles today in a series of 10-15 mile trips. Unfortunately, the car turns over very slowly (I didn't think it was going to start a couple of times). I haven't had the battery tested yet, but I guess that is not a good sign.

I'm reluctant to buy a new battery right now because the car will be spending most of its time in storage during the next two months. I guess I could take the new battery out, bring it home and put it on the maintainer each time I return the car to storage.

Any thoughts?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

Update - I brought the battery home and put it on a battery maintainer for a few days. I reinstalled the battery this morning and brought the car home. (My contractor doesn't work on the weekend, so the risk of damage is reduced.)

I drove the car 50 miles today in a series of 10-15 mile trips. Unfortunately, the car turns over very slowly (I didn't think it was going to start a couple of times). I haven't had the battery tested yet, but I guess that is not a good sign.

I'm reluctant to buy a new battery right now because the car will be spending most of its time in storage during the next two months. I guess I could take the new battery out, bring it home and put it on the maintainer each time I return the car to storage.

Any thoughts?

It could be the alternator, but it probably is the battery.

If you have the car sitting for 2 months at a time, you should at least disconnect the battery, but if you want it to last as long as possible, it probably should come out of the car and be on a maintainer.

[jmatta]

Don't disconnect the battery. Every time the car sits without power, the DME resets to default and you will need to drive the car for approximately a week before all DME systems are "ready". I'd park it and bring along a new battery when you are ready to remove the car from storage. Your current battery is toast.
But do remember, the car will need to be cycled to get all systems ready again (a real problem if you need emissions testing).

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by jmatta

Don't disconnect the battery. Every time the car sits without power, the DME resets to default and you will need to drive the car for approximately a week before all DME systems are "ready". I'd park it and bring along a new battery when you are ready to remove the car from storage. Your current battery is toast.
But do remember, the car will need to be cycled to get all systems ready again (a real problem if you need emissions testing).

There's no harm at all in letting the DME reset.

[KevinH1990]

We don't have emissions testing in our area, so that isn't an issue.

The contractor has completed the foundation work, so I'm hoping that the worst of the construction mess is behind me. At least I can get up and down the driveway without encountering huge ruts. I still can't leave a car on the property while they are working, but I may be able to work out an arrangement where I can drive the car two or three days a week.

Removing and reinstalling the battery when I won't be able to drive the car for an extended period looks like the only option I have. The only problem is that the battery is in an awkward location for lifting. The best technique I have been able to develop is to put one foot in the front trunk and then lift it straight up. Leaning in from one side or the other looks like a recipe for a back injury.

[ddb]

Kevin,

I'm probably jinxing myself by saying this, but oh well.

My battery is older than 4 years and it isn't unusual for my car to sit for 2-3 weeks at a time without being touched. Thus far I haven't had any issues with the battery and I've never used a trickle charger.

If you get a new, fully charged battery it should be fine sitting unattended for a week or two based on my experience. Of course there is a chance that you have an alternator issue or something draining the battery that is causing your problem.

Best of luck and enjoy the new garage.

Derek