Macan S Battery Replacement
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
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From: Fort Collins, CO
Macan S Battery Replacement
I tried doing a search on this topic, but was unable to find an answer. I am wondering if anyone on this forum has actually replaced their Macan's original battery other than at a Porsche dealership. The OE Porsche battery is a Varta AGM 12V 92Ah 520A DIN. I have seen what I think are exorbitant charges for replacement at Porsche dealerships. Contrary to what some are saying, I believe that AGM batteries, being completely sealed and presenting little or no hazard of acid spills, may be shipped. Sunset Porsche seems to have about the lowest price I have seen at $331.
Varta does not seem to sell batteries in North America other than through dealerships. So, following a little research, I think I found another possible source for our batteries. Interstate sells an MTX-49H8 that is AGM and seems to be a direct replacement for our Varta batteries except that it is rated at 95Ah instead of the Varta's 92Ah, a minor difference. The case dimensions are identical. The price at my local Interstate shop is $203, a substantially less amount than the dealership prices. They have them in stock.
So, here is a potential problem: viewing YouTube videos of Varta installations, the hangup may be in "registering" a non-Varta battery. The registration appears to be done using the Porsche PIWIS unit and requires inputing a serial number from the new battery to complete the process.
Anyone have any experience or learned advice about this?
Varta does not seem to sell batteries in North America other than through dealerships. So, following a little research, I think I found another possible source for our batteries. Interstate sells an MTX-49H8 that is AGM and seems to be a direct replacement for our Varta batteries except that it is rated at 95Ah instead of the Varta's 92Ah, a minor difference. The case dimensions are identical. The price at my local Interstate shop is $203, a substantially less amount than the dealership prices. They have them in stock.
So, here is a potential problem: viewing YouTube videos of Varta installations, the hangup may be in "registering" a non-Varta battery. The registration appears to be done using the Porsche PIWIS unit and requires inputing a serial number from the new battery to complete the process.
Anyone have any experience or learned advice about this?
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 89
From: Austin
I tried doing a search on this topic, but was unable to find an answer. I am wondering if anyone on this forum has actually replaced their Macan's original battery other than at a Porsche dealership. The OE Porsche battery is a Varta AGM 12V 92Ah 520A DIN. I have seen what I think are exorbitant charges for replacement at Porsche dealerships. Contrary to what some are saying, I believe that AGM batteries, being completely sealed and presenting little or no hazard of acid spills, may be shipped. Sunset Porsche seems to have about the lowest price I have seen at $331.
Varta does not seem to sell batteries in North America other than through dealerships. So, following a little research, I think I found another possible source for our batteries. Interstate sells an MTX-49H8 that is AGM and seems to be a direct replacement for our Varta batteries except that it is rated at 95Ah instead of the Varta's 92Ah, a minor difference. The case dimensions are identical. The price at my local Interstate shop is $203, a substantially less amount than the dealership prices. They have them in stock.
So, here is a potential problem: viewing YouTube videos of Varta installations, the hangup may be in "registering" a non-Varta battery. The registration appears to be done using the Porsche PIWIS unit and requires inputing a serial number from the new battery to complete the process.
Anyone have any experience or learned advice about this?
Varta does not seem to sell batteries in North America other than through dealerships. So, following a little research, I think I found another possible source for our batteries. Interstate sells an MTX-49H8 that is AGM and seems to be a direct replacement for our Varta batteries except that it is rated at 95Ah instead of the Varta's 92Ah, a minor difference. The case dimensions are identical. The price at my local Interstate shop is $203, a substantially less amount than the dealership prices. They have them in stock.
So, here is a potential problem: viewing YouTube videos of Varta installations, the hangup may be in "registering" a non-Varta battery. The registration appears to be done using the Porsche PIWIS unit and requires inputing a serial number from the new battery to complete the process.
Anyone have any experience or learned advice about this?
https://www.macanforum.com/forum/ele...battery-5.html
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
From: Fort Collins, CO
Read the 87 posts here and watch the video in post #49. Any of the H8 size AGM batteries (Interstate, Bosch, etc.) will work - registration seems to be the issue.
https://www.macanforum.com/forum/ele...battery-5.html
https://www.macanforum.com/forum/ele...battery-5.html
Last edited by GelberPfeil; Feb 18, 2019 at 05:34 PM. Reason: grammar correction
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 89
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I work at an Audi dealership, and we use Interstate batteries for replacement purposes. You still have to go through the registration process as these cars have energy management systems that tell the car how old the battery is, and the correct amp hours. There is a small white tag on the battery that has all this information, as well as a serial number. My guess is that the older the battery is, the system will put out more voltage to keep the battery fully charged. There are some scanners you can buy that will not only reset your service intervals, retract your rear caliper pistons, but also allow you to register the battery. Do your homework. I have a scanner for VW/Audi from iCarsoft that works well on my daughters's Audi.
For Porsche:
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-3...t_P700_V2.html
For Porsche:
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-3...t_P700_V2.html
Last edited by rosen39; Feb 18, 2019 at 05:46 PM. Reason: additional info
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
From: Fort Collins, CO
I work at an Audi dealership, and we use Interstate batteries for replacement purposes. You still have to go through the registration process as these cars have energy management systems that tell the car how old the battery is, and the correct amp hours. There is a small white tag on the battery that has all this information, as well as a serial number. My guess is that the older the battery is, the system will put out more voltage to keep the battery fully charged. There are some scanners you can buy that will not only reset your service intervals, retract your rear caliper pistons, but also allow you to register the battery. Do your homework. I have a scanner for VW/Audi from iCarsoft that works well on my daughters's Audi.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,570
Likes: 89
From: Austin
I work at an Audi dealership, and we use Interstate batteries for replacement purposes. You still have to go through the registration process as these cars have energy management systems that tell the car how old the battery is, and the correct amp hours. There is a small white tag on the battery that has all this information, as well as a serial number. My guess is that the older the battery is, the system will put out more voltage to keep the battery fully charged. There are some scanners you can buy that will not only reset your service intervals, retract your rear caliper pistons, but also allow you to register the battery. Do your homework. I have a scanner for VW/Audi from iCarsoft that works well on my daughters's Audi.
For Porsche:
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-3...t_P700_V2.html
For Porsche:
https://www.icarsoft.com/Product/s-3...t_P700_V2.html
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 89
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You can e-mail iCarsoft and ask the question. They may take a day or two to get back to you (from my experience). Once you find the model scanner you want, do a search and you will find dealers on Amazon that are less money than buying directly from iCarsoft. There are several other brand scanners out there that probably have the same features. To do software updates, you do need a Windows computer. The process is not very smooth, but after a while, you will figure it out.
Last edited by rosen39; Feb 18, 2019 at 06:18 PM. Reason: More information
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Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
From: Fort Collins, CO
You can e-mail iCarsoft and ask the question. They may take a day or two to get back to you (from my experience). Once you find the model scanner you want, do a search and you will find dealers on Amazon that are less money than buying directly from iCarsoft. There are several other brand scanners out there that probably have the same features.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
From: Fort Collins, CO
(Note: I have no business relationship with this product.)
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,416
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From: Prospect, KY
Followup: You do not need to have access to the PIWIS (very expensive) as there are less expensive scanners available that claim to be able to register a Porsche battery, retract the electric rear brakes for service, reset the oil service light, etc. One of these scanners that was recommended to me is the iCarsoft POR V2.0 (https://www.icarsoft.us/Product/s-31...ft_POR_V2.html). Their tech rep assures me by email that it will work with all Porsches, including our Macans. The listed price is $260, but I just purchased a new one on ebay for $147. Maybe not a bad investment in the long run. We shall see after it arrives and I have time to try it.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,120
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Along the same line, I've been trying to determine if, after installing a new battery, is the vehicle driveable w/o initially coding? Say you're in East Awfulgosh, Nowhere and your battery craps out. There's an auto parts store that has an H8 battery but a Porsche dealer is hundreds of miles away. Will the Macan start...or will it "demand" that you register the battery first?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 9
From: Fort Collins, CO
Along the same line, I've been trying to determine if, after installing a new battery, is the vehicle driveable w/o initially coding? Say you're in East Awfulgosh, Nowhere and your battery craps out. There's an auto parts store that has an H8 battery but a Porsche dealer is hundreds of miles away. Will the Macan start...or will it "demand" that you register the battery first?
