Battery
Find out more about the Volkswagen Battery Service, available starter batteries and answers to frequently asked questions.
Volkswagen Genuine Starter Batteries
For an energetic start
What does your vehicle need to be ready to roll? Energy from the battery! It’s the most common cause of breakdowns, so a good quality and regular checks are essential.
An overview of our car batteries
What types of battery are there?
- EFB/EFB+ starter battery:
EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery = flooded, optimised lead-acid batteries) batteries impress with a long service life and low self-discharge rate and are well-suited to cars that feature automatic start/stop technology. - AGM starter battery:
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat = battery acid absorbed and held in glass mats) batteries boast high performance and an interior installation and are well-suited to vehicles with numerous electrical equipment components, e.g. heated seats or air conditioning. - Lead-calcium starter battery:
Our maintenance-free lead-calcium batteries (= conventional lead-acid batteries) have a long service life and are mainly installed in models that feature automatic start/stop technology. - EFB/EFB+ Economy battery:
For your Volkswagen that is four years old or more, we offer an Economy version of our start/stop batteries: They are slightly adjusted standard parts in verified Volkswagen quality and reflect current market values.
Prices for our batteries can be requested from your Volkswagen Dealer.
Benefits for vehicles with automatic start/stop technology
The benefits of our EFB and EFB+ batteries at a glance:
- For automatic start/stop technology:
Thanks to their high quality, these batteries are suitable for the more frequent starting processes in vehicles with automatic start/stop technology and are tailor-made for your Volkswagen. - Strong performance:
Due to high-grade materials and an above-average lead content, which helps cover the considerable energy demand. - More effective power consumption and charging capacity:
Thanks to surface-active carbon additives – EFB+ version only. - Long service life:
Due to low self-discharge rate. They’re also maintenance-free, so you don’t have to top up the water or check the electrolyte. - High cold-start reliability:
Reliable at temperatures as low as -25 °C.
In addition to the benefits of EFB and EFB+ batteries, our AGM batteries also offer you the following:
- More power:
You can enjoy more power and improved cycle stability. - More protection:
Compared with EFB/EFB+ batteries, AGM starter batteries are more resistant to corrosion and have reduced acid layering. The battery acid is completely bound in a glass mat, making them leak-proof. This is important as they are installed exclusively in the interior, e.g. in the luggage compartment.
Starter Battery FAQs
Long down-times, lots of short haul trips: There are many factors that determine when it’s time for a change. You can read the condition of the battery from the acid level indicator (“magic eye”) directly on the battery. Here, black is a good sign: If it's showing light yellow, it's time to visit your workshop. In general, you should have your battery checked on an annual basis. These signs can also indicate defects:
- Battery warning indicator is illuminated
- Impeded start behaviour
- Damages to case
- Voltage decreasing under load
Various types of starter battery are installed in Volkswagen vehicles: EFB/EFB+ (Enhanced Flooded Batteries) or AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries in vehicles with automatic start/stop technology and lead-calcium starter batteries in vehicles without automatic start/stop technology. Since the approved battery types vary according to model, model year and equipment, simply ask your Volkswagen Dealer about the right battery for your car. They can find it using the vehicle identification number, VIN for short.
Volkswagen grants the standard statutory warranty for brand-new vehicles with regard to all defects in materials and workmanship – of course, this also applies for a starter battery installed as standard.
The battery’s capacity reduces during its service life. The reason: Every time it discharges, lead sulphate crystals form on the lead plates of the battery, which reduce the flow of electricity over time. The greater the number of lead sulphate crystals on the plate surfaces, the lower the capacity of the battery.
Even if you have found online instructions on how to change a battery, we recommend having it done by a trained professional. There are many things to be aware of when changing the battery: Battery acid is highly corrosive, escaping gases may explode and an incorrectly installed battery may damage your Volkswagen.
Many Volkswagen contain a battery management system. It detects a number of aspects, such as the condition of the battery, and regulates the vehicle’s energy consumption. It only works if the battery is precisely coordinated with the vehicle and the system correctly identifies it via a code. Otherwise the battery may be charged unnecessarily or too strongly discharged. This can result in problems during vehicle operation.
Are you unsure about the age of your starter battery? Not a problem. In general, it’s clearly displayed on the negative battery terminal, where the calendar week and year are imprinted.
The model and energy level determine how long your battery needs to charge. Therefore, it’s not possible to give an exact time, but it generally takes several hours. Your battery has to be charged when the charging voltage is too low. Your Volkswagen Dealer will be happy to help you with this.
If you allow us to replace your battery, we will also take care of its disposal. Otherwise, you can take your old battery to an official return centre. Find out more on the topic of recycling on our page below.
Our service for your battery
If you are interested in our services for the starter battery, we are here to help.