Most cost effective way to register battery?

Whatsnext · 02-02-2020, 10:25 AM

I have a 2012 335i and will need to replace the battery. I have checked with non BMW auto places and they say they have success not registering the battery but assume that is not a good way to go as the more I research the battery "speaks" to the alternator. So what is the cheapest or best way to register the battery?

The dealer wants $170 to register it. Is there a tool that will do that and more for less than $170?

Billfitz · 02-02-2020, 10:52 AM

The cheapest way is to buy the battery from a place that will register it for free. I believe Pep Boys does, others probably do as well. Anyone who says it doesn't need to be registered is clueless. I think Carly does batteries, so that's probably the least expensive option. My Foxwell NT510 does it. I bought it for battery registration and all the other invaluable functions it has if you do any of your own work. It paid for itself the first time I used it by saving me a trip to a shop.

02-02-2020, 10:25 AM	#1
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Most cost effective way to register battery? I have a 2012 335i and will need to replace the battery. I have checked with non BMW auto places and they say they have success not registering the battery but assume that is not a good way to go as the more I research the battery "speaks" to the alternator. So what is the cheapest or best way to register the battery? The dealer wants $170 to register it. Is there a tool that will do that and more for less than $170?
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02-02-2020, 10:52 AM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,082 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The cheapest way is to buy the battery from a place that will register it for free. I believe Pep Boys does, others probably do as well. Anyone who says it doesn't need to be registered is clueless. I think Carly does batteries, so that's probably the least expensive option. My Foxwell NT510 does it. I bought it for battery registration and all the other invaluable functions it has if you do any of your own work. It paid for itself the first time I used it by saving me a trip to a shop.
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