DIY AUDI Battery Replacement and Coding 🏎️💨, by Christian Gorrie on YouTube. 1 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground, switch off the ignition and take the key out. Wait a few minutes for the control modules to go to sleep, then open the bonnet.
Read the label on the old battery and note the Ah rating, the cold cranking amps and whether it is AGM or EFB. Buy the same spec, because cars with start-stop need AGM or EFB.
Plug a memory saver into the OBD port or 12V socket if you want to keep radio presets and clock settings. Put on your safety glasses and gloves.
Loosen the negative terminal clamp with a 10mm socket and lift the cable away. Tuck it to one side so it cannot spring back onto the post.
Remove the positive terminal clamp the same way, then undo the hold-down bracket bolt, usually 13mm. Lift the battery out with both hands, keeping it upright.
Lower the new battery in the same orientation and refit the hold-down bracket. Tighten it snug so the battery cannot slide, but do not overtighten.
Connect and tighten the positive terminal first, then the negative. Smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly on both posts to keep corrosion away.
Open the battery registration or adaptation menu in your coding tool, enter the new Ah value and battery type (AGM or EFB), then confirm and save.
Start the engine and check for warning lights. Reset the clock, radio presets and one-touch windows if they were lost.
Tips and common mistakes
Always disconnect the negative terminal first and reconnect it last, and never let a spanner touch both posts at once.
If you skip the coding step, the charging system may over or undercharge the new battery and shorten its life.
Keep the old battery upright and take it to a recycling centre or the shop where you bought the new one.
Check the battery tray and cable ends for corrosion while the battery is out and clean them with a terminal brush.
Questions
Do I really need to code a new battery in an Audi?
Most modern Audis have a battery management system that needs to know the new battery's capacity and type so it charges at the right rate. If you fit an identical battery some models may accept it, but coding is the safe choice.
Can I fit a larger battery than the original?
You can fit a bigger case size only if it sits flat on the tray and the bracket still holds it. You must then code the new Ah value so the car charges it correctly.
What happens if I connect the terminals the wrong way round?
Reversing the terminals can blow main fuses and damage control modules. Double-check that positive goes to positive before you touch a spanner to the posts.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
