Register a new BMW battery
Why your BMW must be told about a new battery, how to do it from E-Sys with E-Sys MAX, and what to change when the new battery is a different size or type.
Why a new battery is registered
A BMW charges its battery according to the battery's age. An old battery is charged harder than a new one. When you fit a new battery without telling the car, it keeps charging the new battery like the old one, which shortens its life and can lead to warnings and switched-off comfort functions. Registering resets that history: the car treats the battery as new.
Register a new battery in E-Sys MAX (beta)
- Fit the battery and connect a battery charger. The battery needs at least 12 volts.
- In E-Sys connect to the car (Connection via VIN) and read the SVT, so E-Sys MAX knows the car's engine computer.
- Open the E-Sys MAX menu in E-Sys and choose Register a new battery.
- E-Sys MAX checks it is the connected car and the voltage, then sends BMW's battery registration to the engine computer through E-Sys's own connection, and tells you when the battery is registered.
It works on cars with a petrol engine. Diesel engines are not supported yet. Battery registration is in beta; on a test F10 it registered a new 106 Ah battery.
The battery's voltage is always one click away too: E-Sys MAX shows it as a badge in E-Sys while the car is connected.
A battery of another size or type
The car also knows which size and type of battery it has (for example 70 Ah AGM). That is stored in the vehicle order as an E-word, such as A070 for a 70 Ah AGM battery. If the new battery differs from the old one:
- Change the battery E-word in the vehicle order. E-Sys MAX names every E-word in the FA-Editor's Type and codes tab, so you tick the right one. See VO coding and option codes.
- Code the modules that manage the battery and the power supply with the new vehicle order.
- Then register the battery as above.
Same size and type as before: only the registration is needed.
Questions
Do I have to register an AGM battery?
Yes, every new battery is registered, AGM or not. A different type or size also needs the vehicle order changed.
What if the battery voltage is low?
E-Sys MAX does not start below 12 volts. Charge the battery first, and keep a charger connected while you code or register.
Does it reset the service display too?
No. Oil, brakes and the other service items are reset separately: see BMW service reset.
Battery, service and coding in one tool
E-Sys MAX adds battery registration, service reset, English names, backups and a fault scan to your E-Sys.