Re-register an older battery

[Rapier]

I've got a 2011 F01 on its third battery replacement. This battery is a 2.5 yo factory AGM and already showing signs of a dying battery. I know registering the battery is required, because the system looks at the age of the battery and gradually reduces the charge amount.

What if I re-registered the 2.5 year old battery? Would it extend the life of the battery? If it doesn't, I'll just change out the battery anyway. Has anybody done this before? Are there any negatives that will happen if I do try it?

[bmwdirtracer]

I believe that would be counter-productive. While the charging strategy for a new battery is certainly different from that for an aging battery, I think your understanding is incorrect.

The basic problem is that BMW trained the DME to save fuel, even at the cost of killing batteries.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ns-bmw-n63-v8/

At least you're not needing one every oil change........

[jclausen]

To late

[Rapier]

I believe that would be counter-productive. While the charging strategy for a new battery is certainly different from that for an aging battery, I think your understanding is incorrect.

The basic problem is that BMW trained the DME to save fuel, even at the cost of killing batteries.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ns-bmw-n63-v8/

At least you're not needing one every oil change........

Thanks for the info and link. However, I have not read or seen a reason not to try the method. Is there any harm in doing a re-register? In any case, the battery will be replaced if it doesn't work. Is it just the case that you have to "tow the BMW line" and give me the official BMW response?

Does any one else have any input on this question?

[MauiM3Mania]

... Is it just the case that you have to "tow the BMW line" and give me the official BMW response?

Does any one else have any input on this question?

My input is that BMWDirtracer doesn't need to tow any lines. He's not a representative of BMW NA either way. He is an asset to the forum and a straight shooter. IOW, he speaks what he believes.

[Rapier]

My input is that BMWDirtracer doesn't need to tow any lines. He's not a representative of BMW NA either way. He is an asset to the forum and a straight shooter. IOW, he speaks what he believes.

Thanks for the response. I withdraw my comment.

I still would like hear anybody else's thoughts on the matter. Thanks, again.

Rapier

[shadowpuck]

Yup. The only lines he toes are on the racetrack!

i dont think playing with battery registration will help or hurt that much.

[WadiM3]

I'll give you my opinion. If you Don't listen to Chris (bmwdirtracer) you will end up wasting your time and money. I learnt the hard way.

[bmwdirtracer]

A new battery gets charged LESS than a used battery, because the new battery is more efficient at holding a charge. That's why I said that I believe re-registering an old battery would be counter-productive - it's just going to die faster.

Here, from "Bimmertips"....also, not a factory resource:

What does registering the new BMW battery do?

As your battery ages and loses charging capacity, the car adjusts how much it needs to recharge it to operate at an optimal level. The older the battery the more charge is required. Putting a new battery in your BMW and registering your battery tells your car that a new battery is installed. As a result, the car will not overcharge the new battery thinking the old one is still in there. Registering the battery also resets battery statistics based off your old batteries temperatures and behaviors wiping the slate clean.

[ross1]

TOE (as in those things on your feet) the line boys, not tow.
Regarding battery registration. If using a second hand battery do not register?
Such complications for such a simple device, ridiculous if you ask me.

[Rapier]

A new battery gets charged LESS than a used battery, because the new battery is more efficient at holding a charge. That's why I said that I believe re-registering an old battery would be counter-productive - it's just going to die faster.

Here, from "Bimmertips"....also, not a factory resource:

What does registering the new BMW battery do?

As your battery ages and loses charging capacity, the car adjusts how much it needs to recharge it to operate at an optimal level. The older the battery the more charge is required. Putting a new battery in your BMW and registering your battery tells your car that a new battery is installed. As a result, the car will not overcharge the new battery thinking the old one is still in there. Registering the battery also resets battery statistics based off your old batteries temperatures and behaviors wiping the slate clean.

I re-registered the 2.5 yo battery and I've had nothing but positive results. My CTEK 4.3 trickle charger would take 2-4 hour to put a new charge on the old battery. Once re-registered and a few days of driving the car, the CTEK would top off the battery in a matter of minutes.

[ross1]

I find it interesting that with all the technology applied to charging a stinking battery the system(apparently not even the shore diagnostics) cannot analyze a battery's condition and employ the appropriate charging strategy.
All this to save how much fuel?