Bettery life/replacement time?

coachrick · Nov 28, 2023

So, our 2020 XC40 T5 is our 11th Volvo over four decades and I'm familiar with how quickly batteries can be killed by our wonderful vehicles(on the fourth batt in our 2013 C70, for example); so I'm wondering what sort of life our members have been getting with the XC40. Ours is 3.5 yrs in service, 35k miles. Lives in the garage at night, so somewhat moderate temps while dormant for 10 hrs daily; but exposed to central Texas extreme heat for five months a year(during the days).
I know there are many, many factors involved in guessing the life span of a battery; but do "we" think I should start shopping? I'm pretty sure we've never actually gotten 4 years out of any of our batteries in this century.

Old Reliable · Nov 28, 2023

The newer Volvos are very efficient when it comes to their electrical systems in my experience. You may be able to get as long as 5-6 years. If the battery is checking out ok when tested and everything is working good, I wouldn't replace it. Maybe charge it up a bit and you should be ok. Getting 3 years out of a battery though is pretty normal but with these they seem to go longer. I think it's partly due to battery registration on newer cars. It makes everything last longer.

Ultrarunner511 · Nov 28, 2023

coachrick said:
So, our 2020 XC40 T5 is our 11th Volvo over four decades and I'm familiar with how quickly batteries can be killed by our wonderful vehicles(on the fourth batt in our 2013 C70, for example); so I'm wondering what sort of life our members have been getting with the XC40. Ours is 3.5 yrs in service, 35k miles. Lives in the garage at night, so somewhat moderate temps while dormant for 10 hrs daily; but exposed to central Texas extreme heat for five months a year(during the days).
I know there are many, many factors involved in guessing the life span of a battery; but do "we" think I should start shopping? I'm pretty sure we've never actually gotten 4 years out of any of our batteries in this century.

I understand the extreme heat being in AZ. FWIW, our 2017 is garage kept 90%+ of the time. I had both batteries replaced at about 3.5 years/65k miles. Hell, my 2021’s auxiliary battery just crapped out at 3 years/51k miles.

DFrantz · Nov 28, 2023

I'd wait till after the 4 year mark... or at least stop at a dealer and have them test the health of the battery. Should still be under new car warranty unless you are past 50k.

dmklip · Nov 28, 2023

Original Varta battery lasted 4 yrs. Napa Legend AGM replacement lasted 2-1/2 yrs (East Penn Manufacturing). Went with an Odyssey H7 after that and it's been pretty good judging by its ability to maintain State of Charge over the winter. I think the electrical load on our cars is pretty high.

coachrick · Nov 28, 2023

DFrantz said:
I'd wait till after the 4 year mark... or at least stop at a dealer and have them test the health of the battery. Should still be under new car warranty unless you are past 50k.

Interestingly, BEFORE I posted(but after I just had the thought), I rec'd an email from Volvo offering 10% off battery replacement:
"Install a Volvo replacement battery / Clean cable ends / Inspect alternator belt / Check charging system."
No mention of actual cost, of course.
Last time I replaced the C70 batt, I "saved" $100 by having my indie Volvo garage take care of it.
I do normally have the dealer perform all work while the vehicles are under warranty and I have received three free replacement batteries over the years(three different vehicles). One or more may have been "good customer accommodation", I reckon.

Ultrarunner511 · Nov 28, 2023

The plus side for a dealer install are the warranties. The main battery has a 48 month warranty and the support battery has a 24 month warranty.

BigMiles · Nov 29, 2023

Ultrarunner511 said:
I understand the extreme heat being in AZ. FWIW, our 2017 is garage kept 90%+ of the time. I had both batteries replaced at about 3.5 years/65k miles. Hell, my 2021’s auxiliary battery just crapped out at 3 years/51k miles.

Did your car exhibit specific symptoms when the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced?

Old Reliable · Nov 29, 2023

If some people are only getting 2.5 years then yes it can be normal but it can also be people not registering the battery or following correct procedures via a scan tool. On most new cars if you don't register it then the charging system can overcompensate and fry the battery basically. Sometimes technicians will miss that too or won't do it. It's easy to do. Yes heat will fry the battery too. I remember on some of the SAABs that the battery would be super close to the turbo and it would fry those out. All kinds of conditions can screw them up.

CASwede · Nov 29, 2023

Ultrarunner511 said:
The plus side for a dealer install are the warranties. The main battery has a 48 month warranty and the support battery has a 24 month warranty.

Neighbor's 18 Odyssey battery is a 48 month and the first lasted over 2 years. Last month was another 2 plus years on the replacement. Since they wanted him to set an appointment on a Friday afternoon to bring the van in the following week with the dead battery for testing... Can't just bring it in to Honda so Advance down the street.

On Sunday took a ride in a tow truck from Lynchburg to Raleigh and driver said 24 months for most newer vehicles. Our 03 Odyssey got a new battery 3 years ago. The prior was a Costco labeled 84 months and lasted 8 years Too many computers now!
.

Ultrarunner511 · Nov 29, 2023

BigMiles said:
Did your car exhibit specific symptoms when the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced?

When the 2017’s replacement crapped out, it said “power steering temporarily reduced.” No other symptoms, although we continued to turn off the auto start/stop on each trip. Didn’t want to get stranded in an intersection. Or have a fail to re-start in traffic.

The 2021 said “start/stop support battery service required” and “park assist system temporarily unavailable.” All parking sensors were inoperable.

BigMiles · Nov 29, 2023

Ultrarunner511 said:
When the 2017’s replacement crapped out, it said “power steering temporarily reduced.” No other symptoms, although we continued to turn off the auto start/stop on each trip. Didn’t want to get stranded in an intersection. Or have a fail to re-start in traffic.

The 2021 said “start/stop support battery service required” and “park assist system temporarily unavailable.” All parking sensors were inoperable.

Thanks. I wondered because my XC60 is the only car that I’ve owned that has a second battery.

HKliltXC40 · Dec 1, 2023

Old Reliable said:
The newer Volvos are very efficient when it comes to their electrical systems in my experience. You may be able to get as long as 5-6 years. If the battery is checking out ok when tested and everything is working good, I wouldn't replace it. Maybe charge it up a bit and you should be ok. Getting 3 years out of a battery though is pretty normal but with these they seem to go longer. I think it's partly due to battery registration on newer cars. It makes everything last longer.

Exactly, I have my independent Volvo service mechanic shop check the battery at least once per year. I have the same vehicle 2019 XC-40 T5 Momentum, that went into service ~April 1, 2019, and have had no battery issues, knock on wood!

Old Reliable · Dec 1, 2023

HKliltXC40 said:
Exactly, I have my independent Volvo service mechanic shop check the battery at least once per year. I have the same vehicle 2019 XC-40 T5 Momentum, that went into service ~April 1, 2019, and have had no battery issues, knock on wood!

Nice ya I have seen the same even in cold conditions. As long as the charging system is checked periodically, you are usually good. I often see people getting spooked into buying all sorts of stuff they don’t need sometimes and it can be a complete waste of money. Similar to throwing parts at a car until a problem is fixed rather than doing an actual diagnosis. That’s one I did on cars when I was a young teenager. So I find that one to be almost humorous when I see professionals doing that sometimes. There can be a lot of really ‘bad habits’ and I kind of blame the system too. The industry as a whole is a bit of a mess right now.

Ultrarunner511 · Dec 1, 2023

Old Reliable said:
Nice ya I have seen the same even in cold conditions. As long as the charging system is checked periodically, you are usually good. I often see people getting spooked into buying all sorts of stuff they don’t need sometimes and it can be a complete waste of money. Similar to throwing parts at a car until a problem is fixed rather than doing an actual diagnosis. That’s one I did on cars when I was a young teenager. So I find that one to be almost humorous when I see professionals doing that sometimes. There can be a lot of really ‘bad habits’ and I kind of blame the system too. The industry as a whole is a bit of a mess right now.

Kinda like installing an updated balance shaft?

Old Reliable · Dec 1, 2023

Ultrarunner511 said:
Kinda like installing an updated balance shaft?

That’s up to the owner. I would definitely keep an eye on it. With stuff like spark plugs, and various timing components or parts very close to the internals of the engine, you usually want to replace those with the updated components when you can because if something like that fails it can cost you your whole engine.

Doing stuff like replacing your battery early for no reason and replacing parts without a proper diagnosis and hope it fixes the issue, is a waste of the customer’s money. A battery is never going to wreck a whole engine unless it catches on fire and something abnormal happens.

HKliltXC40 · Dec 13, 2023

Well, I'm having my wife's battery replaced tomorrow in her 2019 XC-40 T5 AWD, along with the six-months oil & filter change plus a radiator flush for the first time. About 37k on the OD, and it will be five years old in April. Don't want her to get stuck somewhere this winter if the battery goes out. It shall be replaced with an AGM battery.

coachrick · Dec 30, 2023

HKliltXC40 said:
Well, I'm having my wife's battery replaced tomorrow in her 2019 XC-40 T5 AWD, along with the six-months oil & filter change plus a radiator flush for the first time. About 37k on the OD, and it will be five years old in April. Don't want her to get stuck somewhere this winter if the battery goes out. It shall be replaced with an AGM battery.

Drove 1200 miles in four days in Snowball...with the original battery(through parts of Texas and Louisiana where a breakdown would be no fun) for the holidays. I think I'm going to spring for a new battery before the next long trip. I've never gotten four years out of a Volvo battery(in 10 previous vehicles); so I'm not going to push it if there is any suggestion that this one is anything other than in excellent shape.

eandgsmom · Jan 24, 2025

So how about 2.5 years? My 2022 just died and they charged me $500 to replace. Granted, I have 95k on odometer but I still thought it was too soon. Also, fyi, dealer told me to lock my car always when not using it. Even when in the garage. He said “the car is a computer and if you don’t lock it, the computer remains on and will drain your battery. When you lock it, the computer goes to sleep”. 🤷🏻‍♀️

coachrick · Jan 26, 2025

eandgsmom said:
So how about 2.5 years? My 2022 just died and they charged me $500 to replace. Granted, I have 95k on odometer but I still thought it was too soon. Also, fyi, dealer told me to lock my car always when not using it. Even when in the garage. He said “the car is a computer and if you don’t lock it, the computer remains on and will drain your battery. When you lock it, the computer goes to sleep”. 🤷🏻‍♀️

2.5 years is pretty quick; but not terribly surprising. However, was there not some pro-rated adjustment for a battery under 3 years(four in some cases)? $500 is crazy, IMO, unless you got some whiz-bang super-battery with a serious warranty! Dang!
We always lock Snowball, the XC40; but Bluebell, the C70 stays unlocked in the garage(perhaps I'll change that).
Bluebell is practically analog compared to all the electronic gee-gaws on. the XC40.

Bettery life/replacement time?

coachrick

Old Reliable

Ultrarunner511

DFrantz

dmklip

coachrick

Ultrarunner511

BigMiles

Old Reliable

CASwede

Ultrarunner511

BigMiles

HKliltXC40

Old Reliable

Ultrarunner511

Old Reliable

HKliltXC40

coachrick

eandgsmom

coachrick

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