Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[Fobroader]

Threw the winter tires on the Jeep, moms Volvo and Dads Toyota....its officially miller time

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You doing all the heavy lifting, eh?

Well I had a hell of a cheer squad/beer deliverers lol

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[Bubba]

My car wouldn't start after work on Friday. Turn the key and just a click... I just replaced the battery a couple of months ago so didn't suspect it was the batter. Tried to boost it anyways and it started.  I thought that was a bit strange... Threw on the battery charger when i got home. Tried to start again today, just a click... Turns out it was just a loose terminal. The hole where the bolt goes through to clamp the terminal had become enlarged (i guess from age) and wasn't holding it tight anymore. Put a washer on and tightened it down again. Love an easy 2 minute fix.

 

[TheHire]

Speaking of batteries, I put a brand new AGM battery into the M5 last week.

Of course... yesterday Mrs. Vantage and I decided to take it for a spin to downtown Toronto to get our favourite takeout. Car decides to throw a random "Battery" warning light as we were getting onto the highway. It went away after a few seconds and didn't come back, but now I'm wondering if there's a draw somewhere...

FGCs...

[EV Dan]

Speaking of batteries, I put a brand new AGM battery into the M5 last week.

Of course... yesterday Mrs. Vantage and I decided to take it for a spin to downtown Toronto to get our favourite takeout. Car decides to throw a random "Battery" warning light as we were getting onto the highway. It went away after a few seconds and didn't come back, but now I'm wondering if there's a draw somewhere...

FGCs...

Did you use a back up while swapping it?

[tpl]

I faintly remember  reading somewhere that  some BMWs can throw a code unless the computer is plugged in after a battery has been changed.

[rrocket]

Yes, some FGCs are weird about battery changes

[tortoise]

Yeah. A new battery needs to be programmed into the Mk7 golf since it varies the charging algorithm based on age.

And if you put in an AGM you need to update the ECU. 

Fortunately it can be done with VCDS or OBDEleven.

[Firm]

Yeah. A new battery needs to be programmed into the Mk7 golf since it varies the charging algorithm based on age.

And if you put in an AGM you need to update the ECU. 

Fortunately it can be done with VCDS or OBDEleven.

^This true for many German, but not the E39 M5, which uses a fairly traditional charging system. He should be able to plug & play any battery (of the correct size).

[Fobroader]

Am I the only one that thinks that its utterly unacceptable for a car to be "weird" about battery changes. Its a wear item, it shouldn't require a trip to the shop, facking FGCs.

[Firm]

Am I the only one that thinks that its utterly unacceptable for a car to be "weird" about battery changes. Its a wear item, it should require a trip to the shop, facking FGCs.

Yeah, it's ridiculous. IMO just a way FGC manufactures are trying to keep customers captive in their service bays. It's been a few years since I was looking after the battery business, but at the time the software to program a new battery for a BMW was costly enough that very few shops, outside of BMW dealers or specialists had it.

[PJungnitsch]

In Germany the trades are very strong, have been so since medieval times. Build a house and tons of different trades have to come in, each with their own area of expertise. Not like here where one carpenter can basically do the whole thing

Not surprising they tend to leave stuff like battery changes to 'the experts'

I lived there one winter and changed oil, hoses, various parts myself on the old POS car my gf at the time was driving, it was thought to be odd, very 'British'.

[Fobroader]

In Germany the trades are very strong, have been so since medieval times. Build a house and tons of different trades have to come in, each with their own area of expertise. Not like here where one carpenter can basically do the whole thing

Not surprising they tend to leave stuff like battery changes to 'the experts'

I lived there one winter and changed oil, hoses, various parts myself on the old POS car my gf at the time was driving, it was thought to be odd, very 'British'.

Do you mean to tell me the average Hanz unt Franz don't have the capability to change the headlight bulbs out in their VWs.....for shame 

[EV Dan]

In Germany the trades are very strong, have been so since medieval times. Build a house and tons of different trades have to come in, each with their own area of expertise. Not like here where one carpenter can basically do the whole thing

Not surprising they tend to leave stuff like battery changes to 'the experts'

I lived there one winter and changed oil, hoses, various parts myself on the old POS car my gf at the time was driving, it was thought to be odd, very 'British'.

[tortoise]

Do you mean to tell me the average Hanz unt Franz don't have the capability to change the headlight bulbs out in their VWs.....for shame 

It's actually a giant PIA.  I had to remove most of the wheel well liner to change the low beam on my Golf.   The official procedure has you removing the bumper.

[Arthur Dent]

I helped a friend do one on a Cadillac (DTS maybe). We had to remove the inner wheel well and the front bumper. The manual called from removing the grill and rad supports too I think which we managed without. So not just the Germans.

[Firm]

^Yeah, the DTS for sure requires front bumper cover removal (or if you've got skinny arms, you can loosen the ends of the bumper cover rather than outright removal). It's terrible, though I haven't had to do it yet.
Still though....I CAN (and will when the time comes) remove the bumper and change the bulb. I cannot change the battery in a BMW or VW.

[tortoise]

Still though....I CAN (and will when the time comes) remove the bumper and change the bulb. I cannot change the battery in a BMW or VW.

Fair point.

When the time comes I will use it as an excuse to buy* a OBDEleven dongle and code it using the app.   I assume the dealership will charge $100 to go beep-boop. 

*Unless pi314 manages to return to Ottawa before that happens.

[Fobroader]

That to me is utterly inexcusable. I don't care what the vehicle is, having to remove a bumper, rad support and the rear passenger side headrest is utterly unacceptable for a lightbulb change.

[tortoise]

The Highlander and my F-150 were by far the two easiest vehicles to do it.  30 seconds and zero profanity.

[draghon]

I helped a friend do one on a Cadillac (DTS maybe). We had to remove the inner wheel well and the front bumper. The manual called from removing the grill and rad supports too I think which we managed without. So not just the Germans.

Civic is similar, remove front wheel and peel back the wheel well liner to change headlight and front signal bulbs. The bumper however can stay on.