I put a new battery in the GTI today. Had mixed feelings about it, as the original battery (yes, still on the 8 1/2 year old OE battery) is still going strong. Well, okay, maybe not
strong, but it’s still been cranking the engine over just fine.
As much as I wanted to try for 9 or 10 years with the stock battery, I figured I’d feel pretty stupid if it stranded me one day this winter. So, was walking by the battery aisle at CT and just grabbed an Eliminator AGM to be done with it.
Still, can’t complain about 8 1/2 years on the stock battery. Look at that thing: not even a trace of corrosion on the terminals, and I’ve never touched it. VW does a pretty nice job of these: covered battery box, and a felt battery blanket too.