BMW Battery Maintenance

The battery is a crucial component of your BMW’s electrical system. It starts your engine, powers various electrical systems, and supports electronic components. Without a working battery, your BMW may not start, and essential electrical systems could fail to operate.

It’s one of the last things you want for your BMW.

To keep your BMW’s battery in peak working condition, it needs to be regularly maintained. 

At Fitch Autos, we know how important it is for our customers to understand their luxury vehicles. Keeping your BMW in top condition is essential; we’re here to help.

Our experts have created this comprehensive guide to help you keep your BMW’s battery performing at its best. You’ll also uncover the importance of:

• Maintaining your battery
• Ways to extend its life
• How to spot signs of battery failure
• And more…

How the Battery Inside Your BMW Works

Ever wondered how your BMW’s battery works? Whether you have or haven’t, it’s always good to understand its function so you can be aware of any problems it could encounter. 

Here are some of their key functions:

1. Starting Your Engine: Your BMW battery provides the power to start your vehicle’s engine. When you turn your vehicle key or press the start button, it supplies energy to the starter motor. This then turns the crankshaft, igniting the engine and getting your BMW running.
2. Powering Electrical Systems: The battery powers essential components such as your BMW’s lights, infotainment systems, air conditioning, and power windows. Even with the engine off, your battery works, allowing these systems to operate.
3. Storing Energy: The alternator charges the battery while your engine is running. When the engine is off or the alternator’s output is faulty, the battery stores electrical energy for later use.
4. Supporting Electronic Systems: Most modern BMWs have numerous electronic systems, including engine control units, safety features, and driver-assistance technologies. The battery ensures that your BMW’s systems receive the power they need to function optimally.
5. Voltage Stabilisation: Your BMW battery helps maintain the stability of your vehicle’s electrical system. It absorbs voltage fluctuations and ensures a steady electricity supply to all the electronic components in your BMW.

Your BMW battery is essential for the smooth operation of your vehicle’s various electrical systems. Without it, your BMW wouldn’t operate.

This is why regular maintenance and checks are crucial to ensure your BMW starts reliably and all electrical systems work correctly. 

By keeping your battery in peak condition, you’ll ensure your vehicle continues to perform as you’d expect. 

Identifying a Failing Battery

As your vehicle’s battery ages, it can begin to show signs of failure that could impact its performance. Recognising these symptoms and taking action early can prevent you from being stranded with a dead battery—nobody wants that. 

Here are some warning signs to keep an eye out for:

1. Slow Engine Turnover: If your engine takes a while to turnover and takes longer to start, it could be a sign that your battery is failing. In the worst-case scenario, the engine may not start at all.
2. Clicking Sound When Starting: If you can hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, it’s a sign your vehicle doesn’t have enough power to start the engine. This might happen if other electrical systems, like interior lights or radio, have been left on and caused the battery to drain.
3. Dim Headlights And Interior Lights: Dimming headlights can indicate a weak battery or an alternator that isn’t adequately charging your vehicle’s battery.
4. Dashboard Battery Warning Light: An illuminated battery warning light on your dashboard can signal a problem. Other warning lights may also indicate malfunctions in the electrical system.
5. Malfunctioning Electrical Components: If your radio and other electrical components aren’t working as expected, it could be because of a dead battery.
6. Engine Stalling: A battery that isn’t supplying enough power can cause the engine to suddenly stall. This can be particularly dangerous if the power steering and brakes also fail.
7. Corroded Or Damaged Terminals: Corroded or damaged battery terminals can hinder your battery’s ability to charge and discharge, affecting your BMW engine’s starting and the operation of electrical systems.

Notice any of these symptoms? If so, it’s important to have your battery checked right away. For specialised BMW battery care, our experts at Fitch Autos can help. 

Call our team today for all your BMW battery needs.

BMW Battery Types

The type of battery your BMW uses will vary depending on the model and year. Generally, the following types of batteries are most common in BMWs:

1. Lead-Acid Batteries: Many vehicles are equipped with lead-acid batteries. They’re relatively inexpensive and have been used for decades.
2. Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries: These batteries are more expensive but last longer and perform better than lead-acid batteries.
3. Lithium-Ion Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries may be used in newer BMW models. These batteries provide more power over a longer period and are lighter and smaller.
4. Gel Batteries: High-performance BMW models often use gel batteries instead of AGMs.

At Fitch Autos, we understand the importance of choosing the right battery for your specific BMW. Our experienced team of BMW experts can help identify and select the best battery for your vehicle, ensuring it receives the quality it needs to perform at its best. 

The Wrong BMW Battery Can Cause Serious Problems

Choosing the wrong battery for your BMW can compromise both performance and safety. Here are some potential problems you may encounter if you select the wrong type of battery for your vehicle:

1. Reduced Battery Lifespan: Batteries that aren’t designed for your specific BMW may use more power, causing them to wear out faster. This means you need to replace them more often.
2. Reduced Performance: Using the wrong battery in your BMW can lead to poor performance. A weak battery might make it challenging to start your car or cause malfunctions in electrical systems.
3. Safety Issues: Many safety systems in your BMW, including airbags and ABS brakes, rely on the battery. Using a battery not designed for your BMW model can cause these systems to malfunction.
4. Warranty Problems: Using a battery not recommended by the manufacturer may void your car’s warranty. If your BMW develops electrical or battery problems due to using the wrong type of battery, it could lead to significant repairs.

To ensure your BMW continues to perform optimally and remains safe and reliable, it’s crucial to use the right battery for your vehicle. At Fitch Autos, our team will recommend and install the best battery for your BMW model, ensuring optimal performance, longevity, and warranty protection. 

Call our team today for expert help. 

Extending the Life of Your Battery

If you want to get the most from your BMW battery, you can take several steps to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Follow these expert tips:

1. Drive Your Car Often: Battery failure often results from lack of use. If you don’t drive your BMW regularly, your battery may degrade from insufficient charging. Drive your car once a week to keep your battery healthy.
2. Limit Short Drives: Frequent engine starts and short trips can drain your battery. Try to make your trips longer and combine journeys whenever possible to give the battery adequate time to recharge.
3. Keep Battery Terminals Clean: Dirty or corroded battery terminals can interfere with the battery’s ability to charge and discharge. Regularly cleaning your battery terminals with a wire brush or battery cleaner to prevent corrosion and dirt buildup.
4. Turn Off Electrical Systems When Not in Use: Leaving your radio, lights, or other electrical systems on when the engine is off can drain your BMW’s battery. Always turn off these systems to save power when your engine is off.
5. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Extreme cold can diminish a battery’s ability to hold a charge, and high temperatures can accelerate its degradation. Whenever possible, park your BMW in a shaded area (like a garage) to protect your battery from extreme temperatures.
6. Regularly Check The Battery: Regularly checking the health of your battery can help you identify and address potential faults early.

By following these tips, you’ll ensure optimal performance and reliability and extend the lifespan of your BMW battery. 

In a Nutshell…

Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your BMW’s battery running like new. Failing to do so can result in performance and safety issues. 

Which is the last thing you want from your BMW, isn’t it?

Follow these expert tips to keep your BMW battery in top condition:

• Switch Off Electrical Systems When Not In Use: Turn off the radio, lights, and other electrical systems when the engine is off to conserve battery power.
• Limit Short Trips: Short trips can drain the battery due to frequent engine starts. Combine journeys and make your trips longer when possible.
• Keep Battery Terminals Clean: Regularly clean your BMW’s battery terminals with a wire brush or battery cleaner to prevent corrosion and dirt buildup.

At Fitch Autos, we ensure your BMW battery always performs at its peak. Whether you need a routine inspection or a new battery, our team of BMW specialists can help.

Need help with your BMW’s battery? Call our team today and book your BMW battery servicing.

Call Now 01543 452630Save on BMW Servicing