Do I need to go to a 4S shop to replace the battery?
2 Answers
Replacing the battery does not require going to a 4S shop. The method to replace the battery is: 1. Open the front hood; 2. Remove the fixed bar on the battery; 3. First disconnect the negative terminal, then disconnect the positive terminal; 4. Take out the battery, replace it with another one, and install it back in the reverse order. The maintenance methods for the battery are: 1. Start the car regularly to charge the battery; 2. When the electrolyte is low, replenish it with distilled water or a special replenishing solution; 3. During daily driving, frequently check whether the small holes on the battery cover are ventilated; 4. Check whether the positive and negative terminals of the battery are oxidized; 5. Check whether any part of the circuit is aged or short-circuited; 6. Turn off electrical equipment when leaving the car.
Last time my battery died was during a business trip, so I just found a nearby auto repair shop to replace it. To be honest, 4S shops charge exorbitant prices for batteries—typically 50% higher than independent shops. I compared prices for the same Varta battery model: the 4S shop quoted over 800 RMB, while a professional battery store on the street did it for 500 RMB, including installation. The key is that third-party services are now very mature. Chains like Tuhu offer battery testers to accurately diagnose whether a replacement is needed and provide an 18-month warranty. Unless your car is under warranty and requires dealership service, there's really no need to go to a 4S shop. As a side note, when replacing the battery, make sure the new one matches the original capacity to avoid being tricked into a smaller model, which could affect the auto start-stop function.
