[JunkyardDogg]

Hey guys,

I'm not sure when the battery was last replaced but lately, especially during the winter, the car seems to struggle to start. I noticed it happening once it started to get cold. Well low and behold, I drive to the store and on the way back, the car wouldn't start at all. I had to get it jumped. How do I know if I need to replace it? Keep in mind I don't drive much, and if I do its short distances. I used to always get the "increased battery discharge". Is it just a matter of driving it more often? I have a 2011 335is with 40k.

[ewicky]

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

... How do I know if I need to replace it? ...

Stick it on a good charger until "full." Put it back in the car. See how long it lasts.

[relative4]

Given your symptoms, it is certainly bad. Pull it and take it to the auto parts store for testing.

[Emilime75]

It does sound like the battery is done and, yes, cold weather does put a bigger strain on them. After you replace and register it, I'd consider a trickle charger.

[JunkyardDogg]

If the battery was dead, wouldn't it not work and I'd get a low battery indicator on the dash? It fired up fine today. I took it to autozone and although they didn't test it, they said to just drive it more often so it stays charged. I live in an apartment so I don't have an outlet for a trickle charger.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

Hey guys,

I'm not sure when the battery was last replaced but lately, especially during the winter, the car seems to struggle to start. I noticed it happening once it started to get cold. Well low and behold, I drive to the store and on the way back, the car wouldn't start at all. I had to get it jumped. How do I know if I need to replace it? Keep in mind I don't drive much, and if I do its short distances. I used to always get the "increased battery discharge". Is it just a matter of driving it more often? I have a 2011 335is with 40k.

I would replace it. I also have a 2011 335is but with 64k miles and I just went 6 days car sitting with average temp of -15c to -20c overnight and the car started right up with no warnings on the 6th day.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

If the battery was dead, wouldn't it not work and I'd get a low battery indicator on the dash? It fired up fine today. I took it to autozone and although they didn't test it, they said to just drive it more often so it stays charged. I live in an apartment so I don't have an outlet for a trickle charger.

Hmmm really should've got the battery test that would've gave you more info.

[monoid]

If there is no battery indicator on the dashboard it might not be the problem in the battery. When you test it and if everything is ok with it u should check the starter i think.

[JunkyardDogg]

Originally Posted by monoid

If there is no battery indicator on the dashboard it might not be the problem in the battery. When you test it and if everything is ok with it u should check the starter i think.

Is it hard to test it? I opened the trunk and the autozone guy said its too difficult to disassemble the battery brace, etc. Is the brace only thing needed to remove for testing?

[ewicky]

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

Is it hard to test it? I opened the trunk and the autozone guy said its too difficult to disassemble the battery brace, etc. Is the brace only thing needed to remove for testing?

Test it from the jump leads under the hood. Don't screw around in the trunk other than physically removing and installing batteries.

[JunkyardDogg]

ok thanks!

[Jklad]

Screw testing it. It's now 2019, if this is the original battery and it's been chugging for 8 years, that's incredible. Pat yourself on the back and replace it proactively.