Battery life?

[Dido]

I have a 2008 Mazda 3. This is the first time this has happened to me. I was away on vacation for 2 weeks and I come back to find that my car is dead. Nothing works, not my key fob, not the lights, everything is dead. I don't think I left anything on or open. I have only 38,000 kms on my car. Mostly city driving but I do go for an hour drive everyonce in a while. I have left my car for days and it was fine, battery was good. I'm reading more and more forums that state the battery is either defective or that I may not be driving it enough for the battery to charge. I'm frustrated as now I am trapped until an underground tow truck can be found to boost me or tow me to dealership.

[mustangboy]

I had the same thing happen to me. Went away for vacation and had someone try to start the car after 2 weeks and nothing. I came home a month later and the battery wouldn't hold a charge. Checked the fluid level on the cells. They were completely dry. These batteries need to be maintained. Topped off the battery with some distilled water and charged it over night. No issues since.

[kramr]

.....and after they test your battery they will tell you that you need a new one, a new water pump, four tires and a complete brake job including calipers........

Canadian Tire will also test your battery for you.

[JonsMazda]

My battery is still running fine here, got 75k without any battery issues (Knock on wood), btw I have m3 gt 2007.

Running at 85k now, no battery issues.

[JaYson]

+110,000KM OEM Battery no problems yet.

[stevenma188]

Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.

[Fuyuzora]

Far too late to be helpful to the OP, but to anyone who runs into a similar situation:

Consider purchasing a battery charger such as this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Not the fastest in the world, but all you need is a means of trickle-charging enough juice into the battery to start the engine. You can then finish the job yourself by driving around town for a bit (or just leave it to trickle-charge for longer).

Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.

I've jump-started my parents' MX-5 which had a dead battery.

[liquidzyklon]

Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.

My car is 65k on stock battery. I've jumped a Gen8 Honda Civic and a 2002 Honda Civic no problem. My driving consists of 60% highway and 40% city for commute so battery is probably well charged most of the time.

[Takumi616]

OEM battery still, original owner. 127,000 km and counting. In my garage when I'm at home, underground parking at work. Overtime I guess that would make a difference.... during those cold winters having it parked inside will help your battery life.....

[baymoe]

I had mine jumpstart a V6 accord, 99 corolla with no issues.

[Flagrum_3]

6+ years, 164k and have had my audio system almost the whole time.So far original battery is holding on!


_3

[shu5892001]

Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.

I know for all BMW and big engine V8s, it can not be jumped using other cars. They need those special CAA battery cars with the special huge ass plug

[stevenma188]

...Even my 20 yr old e30?....

[Pokey]

my dad and i both have 2004 mazda 3s with origonal batteries. never had a problem.

I have an 05 with the oe battery - but I'm replacing it before the winter as on a buddy's tester it came out as 'marginal'.

Like someone said - take it to crappy tire and in 20 minutes you'll know if it's the battery.

[mbooth]

i have a 2005 oem batter 124,000 clicks and still working really well no issues

[canada man]

your battery seems like its dying and seeing how winter is coming best option is to just buy a new one. Also pop open your trunk and take a look to see if you have a sound system installed cause that can be another reason why your battery is draining fast.

[Booostin]

your battery seems like its dying and seeing how winter is coming best option is to just buy a new one. Also pop open your trunk and take a look to see if you have a sound system installed cause that can be another reason why your battery is draining fast.

What the hell? Wouldnt the OP know if he had a soung system installed?

[BigChuck80]

I've NEVER had an issue with a sound system draining my battery, but I guess it's because I don't have comp equipment. There are various auto parts that assist with this, like a capacitor. This may not even be the issue however..

[yuro]

stick a multimeter on it, set it to ohms.
it should read 12.2-12.4ish if the battery is good. now start the engine and test it again.
it should read 14.4ish if the alternator is working properly.

where did you get 14.4 number? currently my battery light is on and I get 13.3 with engine idling.... may be my alternator is on it's way out.....