Do you not adore your BMW? And you intend to continue using it for as long as possible, right? Change your oil, replace your air filters, and do other routine maintenance on your BMW as needed to ensure its longevity. Maintaining the battery in your BMW, however, is the one item that contributes the most to flawless operation of your vehicle.
However, a lot of individuals ponder whether BMW battery replacement and registration are straightforward do-it-yourself tasks or require the services of a qualified specialist. We affirm that you can manage the replacement on your own. However, if you lack computer literacy, let us handle the registration process on your behalf.
Here, we’ll go over how to install a battery in a car, examine BMW battery registration in further detail, and provide additional information on the BMW battery reset process.
In This Article...
Can I avoid reprogramming my BMW’s new battery? alternatively, What occurs if a new BMW battery is not registered
The new battery-ECU matching step is skipped, causing the ECU to fail to identify the battery as new and continue to operate the charging cycle as if it were the old battery. This reduces fuel efficiency and severely reduces the new, mismatched battery’s service life. In the long term, neglecting the battery registration service results in spending more money at the gas pump and on replacement batteries.
This new battery-ECU matching service is understood and routinely offered by a respected and skilled BMW service and repair facility, like Autoscope, to maintain the car’s design goals, operational effectiveness, and ownership economies.
Why register the replacement battery?
The servicing procedure “Register battery replacement” must be executed after installing a new battery. To let the power management system (software in engine electronics and an intelligent battery sensor) know that a new battery was put in the car, the battery replacement must be registered. The power management won’t work effectively if the battery change is not registered, which could result in certain tasks being restricted by particular electrical consumers being turned off or having their power consumption lowered. Power management will charge the new battery as if it were the old, worn-out battery, resulting in the replacement battery failing sooner than expected.
Important! The on-board computer’s display may show inaccurate values if the new battery hasn’t been recognized because of outdated information in the power management system.
The power management in the Digital Engine Electronics (DME) or Digital Diesel Electronics (DDE) is alerted by a servicing function when a battery needs to be replaced. The following actions are carried out:
- 2. Changing a battery with a different capacity but the same kind (registration/conversion)
- 3. Changing to a new type of battery (for programming, conversion, or registration)
- 4. Software updates for the entire battery management system
For vehicles with EfficientDynamics, changes to the charging profile also impact how the Start/Stop system functions.
Car 1:
The battery is being replaced with an identical one. To inform the car that the battery is new, you register replacement so that the charging profile can be modified appropriately. If you don’t, the car will try to charge an outdated battery and eventually fail.
Car 2:
You replace a Standard LA battery with an AGM. Because the charging profile will be for the wrong sort of battery and accelerate battery failure, if you don’t register the replacement, it will toast the new battery for similar reasons to Car 1 but even worse. You MUST utilize a “conversion” in this scenario to switch the battery type. Register a replacement after that.
The vehicle must remain stationary with its new battery installed for at least 3 hours after a battery replacement. Until then, it is impossible to determine the new battery’s charge level with any degree of certainty. Possible The battery’s complete discharge-related Check Control signals are then hidden.
After a power supply interruption, some systems’ range of use may be constrained. Individual settings might also be lost.
Depending on the equipment specification, settings or activations are required. For instance:
- Autonomous engine start-stop function (MSA) vehicles: The MSA function is only operative after a learning period (the vehicle must not be awakened for approximately 6 hours).
The lifespan of a battery in these cars, whether an AGM or ordinary battery, can be significantly shortened by skipping the battery registration step. On a late model BMW, skipping battery registration can be one of the problems that results in premature battery failure. For more information, see the topic on Energy Diagnosis.
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Without registering it, your automobile should still function properly. However, based on what I’ve learned, our automobiles use a clever charging system designed specifically for an absorbed glass-mat (AGM) battery. To keep the battery fully charged, the charging rate is adjusted based on the battery’s age. The automobile could overcharge a new AGM battery and perhaps shorten its lifespan if you buy one but don’t register it. The automobile might not charge a conventional Pb-acid replacement battery properly.
Look at the thread below for loads more information and examples of what others have done.
Is it necessary to register a fresh battery with BMW?
Battery registration is necessary since all of the more recent BMW models include Intelligent Battery Sensors, or IBS, as they are known by BMW. Are you unsure if your BMW has IBS? This useful guide to model years and particular models will help you determine whether your BMW has to have its new battery programmed each time it is replaced.
- Seven-Series E65/E66 chassis from 2002 and after
- 6-Series E63/E64 chassis from 2003 and after
- 5-Series E60/E61 chassis from 2004 and after
- X5 E53 chassis with N62 engine, 2005 and newer.
- 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis from 2006 and after
- X5 E70 chassis from 2007 and after
- X6 E71 chassis for years 2008 and beyond
How can I connect the OBD to my BMW battery?
A BMW OBD2 scanner must be used for battery registration. The OBD2 port underneath your vehicle’s dashboard is where the BMW scanning equipment is simply inserted in to establish an electronic connection with the engine control module. The next step is to navigate to the appropriate screen and press a button to notify the DME that a new battery has been fitted. Please check our step-by-step guidelines below for more information on how to register a BMW battery.
We strongly advise buying a BMW scanner tool if you’re a home mechanic or enthusiast and don’t already have one. As essential to your toolkit as a set of socket wrenches, a BMW obd2 scanner will pay for itself after only one repair. The same one we used for this post is available for purchase in the components list below or by clicking here.
If you own a BMW and need to replace a dead battery without a diagnostic scanner, we advise visiting your neighborhood independent repair shop and asking them to handle it. They will probably conduct it for a minimal price and it takes less than a minute.
Includes thorough part diagrams, part numbers, and links to buy all necessary parts to do this repair.
With the help of a professional diagnostic scanner, you can read DTCs, find defective O2 sensors, verify the readiness of your emissions system, switch off the CEL or MIL, reset the monitor, read real-time data, get your car’s VIN, and do a lot more. This is the only BMW diagnostic scanner you will ever need, regardless of whether you are a do-it-yourself mechanic at home or work in a professional repair facility.
The process of registering your battery with a BMW obd2 scanner is quick and easy. Please be aware that the engine must be stopped and the ignition turned to position 15 (the AC must be blowing) in order for the battery to be successfully registered, regardless of the brand of diagnostic scanner or software you are using.
- Find the OBD2 port on your car. The port is often found either under the dashboard or inside the driver-side footwell in BMW vehicles.
- Turn the ignition to position 15 and insert the scanner into the port. DO NOT TURN ENGINE OFF!
- Launch the BMW scanner tool and locate the car.
- Locate the screen for battery management. Depending on the brand and model of your scanner, it is typically found under Special Functions.
- Select Register Battery Change, then adhere to the directions.
- At the conclusion of the registration, you will be informed that it was successful.
- If the battery registration error message appears on the screen, make sure the ignition is in the position 15 position and the engine is off. The main cause of registration failure is this. If the engine is running or the ignition is not in position 15, the battery won’t register.
Can any battery be used in my BMW?
Finding a great BMW battery is one of the most crucial factors to take into account if you want the best for your luxury vehicle. For the best performance on the road, you must purchase a BMW car battery that satisfies the strict criteria of the vehicle.
The 5, 6, and 7 Series BMW vehicles typically have very high features. These automobiles need a lot more energy than your typical car does, thus we strongly advise obtaining them strong batteries.
You must be aware of your vehicle’s needs before purchasing a BMW battery. An Absorbent Glass Matt (AGM) battery is strongly advised for modern BMW vehicles with start-stop technology since it can handle the increased energy demand. However, you can also utilize an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) if you want to buy something for less money.
Just keep in mind that you should only replace the original AGM battery in your BMW vehicle with another AGM. Because these vehicles weren’t intended to be utilized with EFBs, downgrading will cause battery and engine problems with your BMW. On the other hand, if your BMW came with an EFB at the factory, switching to an AGM battery won’t cause any issues.
EFBs outlive ordinary batteries in terms of longevity. They were created specifically for entry-level start-stop vehicles, so they can easily handle the rigorous needs of the majority of modern automobiles.
However, you should always choose an AGM battery if you want to spend more money on a more potent BMW battery. Although these batteries are made for start-stop vehicles, they are also compatible with other energy-consuming vehicles.
In comparison to conventional batteries, they offer a three times longer cycle life and may be utilized in all kinds of weather. Additionally, an AGM battery is necessary if you frequently use the car’s accessories.
BMWs with typical power requirements can be powered by standard automobile batteries. Therefore, if your car doesn’t have high-end gadgets or a start-stop system, you don’t require a special BMW car battery.
What occurs if a BMW battery is not programmed?
The car will overcharge or undercharge you if you don’t register it with it. When you install a new battery, the automobile will overcharge it since older batteries receive more charge than fresh ones, which causes your battery to die sooner.
What happens if a car battery is not registered?
The charging current of the alternator is improperly set if a fresh battery is not registered. The replacement battery is not adequately charged as a result. This could lead to early failure.