BMW Battery Replacement Reprogramming + BMW Battery Registration Procedure

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Last updated on June 15th, 2023 at 08:05 am

This detailed, but quick BMW Battery Replacement Reprogramming and BMW Battery Registration Procedures guide is for all BMW car owners.

Before now, when your BMW battery gets faulty or even stops functioning, you could go to any local auto shop and pick up a new one.

Then you can easily replace it at home and get back on track, but unfortunately, with the late model, BMW’s battery replacement is not that easy anymore. 

This is because the new batteries need to be replaced by a qualified dealer or Euro specialist with the right tools to either register or program the car to your new battery.  

If this is not done, it can lead to overcharging of your new battery or it may develop electrical malfunction.

This reprograming or replacement of BMW battery affects some models. Below is the list of BMW models that need to have their batteries reprogrammed or registered.

Also, read this post on BMW replacement and reprogramming codes for all BMW series that requires reset after battery change.

BMW Battery Replacement Reprogramming + BMW Battery Registration Procedure

Before we continue here are the highlight of the sub-topics we will be coving in this post.

1. BMW models that Requires reprograming after battery change
2. why do you need a bmw battery registration?
3. what are Necessary  bmw battery registration procedure
4. what is the best battery for bmw
5. How to reprogram bmw after battery replacement?

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What BMW Models Need to Have their Batteries Reprogrammed or Registered?

2002 and newer 7-Series E65/E66 chassis

2003 and newer 6-Series E63/E64 chassis

2004 and newer 5-Series E60/E61 chassis

2005 and newer X5 E53 chassis models with N62 engine

2006 and newer 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis

2007 and newer X5 E70 chassis

2008 and newer X6 E71 chassis

Why Only New BMW Models Require Battery Programming and Not New Models

The newer BMW models listed above are considerably more advanced electronically than older models from the 1990s. 

All of the development is eventually pushed forward in improving gas mileage. 

The newer models are fortified with IBS or Intelligent Battery Sensors. 

The IBS system is attached to the negative battery terminal and contains microprocessors which measure and monitor voltage, current, temperature, charge and discharge of the battery.

Why do you Need A BMW Battery Registration?

As your battery gets older, it loses charging capacity, and the car adjusts how much it requires to recharge to operate at an ideal level.  The older the battery gets, the more charge is required.  Placing a new battery in your BMW and registering your battery invariably informs your car that a new battery is installed.  This will enable the car not to overcharge the new battery thinking the old battery is still in place.  Registering the battery rearranges battery statistics and cleans off your old batteries temperatures and behaviours.

Also, if you are exchanging your BMW battery for a new one with different amperage and voltage specs, you need to inform the car about this change by registering the battery so it can adjust for the new battery settings and not damage the fragile electrical system of your car.  As such, it is essential for reprogramming to be carried out. 

Read Also: What to do if BMW service engine soon light car shaking

What are Necessary BMW Battery Registration Procedure?

In order to complete BMW battery registration, you will need a scan tool that can carry battery registration. Popular scanners that you can use to register a new BMW battery includes: 

• Foxwell for BMW NT510. This can only be used to register a new BMW battery with the same specs as the original one.
• Carly for BMW. This can be used to register a new battery
• Autel MaxiDAS DS808. This can be used to program and code any type of battery including AGM and lead acid even if the replacement battery is different from the original.

Instructions

These instructions on how to register BMW is for 2002 and newer BMW models including 1, 3, 5, 6, X1, X3, X5 series.

Procedure

Replace BMW Battery: Replacing the battery on your BMW is the first step in the process. Ensure you install a new battery withsame specifications or as close as possible as the old battery. 

Locate OBD-2 Port: Try to locate the onboard diagnostic port (OBD-2) under the dashboard near your brake pedal. All OBD-2 port on BMW cars have a small door that you need to open. You may locate a cover on the port that you must to pull out. Plug the BMW scan tool into this port. Note that generic OBD2 scanners are unable to perform BMW battery registration.

Turn Ignition on: Turn the ignition key to option II. For models with a Push Start button, press it a couple of times and avoid pressing the brake pedal when you press the start button. All the dashboard lights should come on. The engine should not be running because you won’t be able to perform the BMW battery registration procedure with the engine running.

Complete BMW Battery Registration: The last step of the BMW battery registration is to fully register the new battery. Note that the instructions in this step will vary depending on the type of scanner that you use. 

What is the Best Battery for BMW?

Are you having a problem with trying to find out the best battery for BMW? OEM batteries sold at BMW dealerships are a perfect fit for BMW cars, but they are quite expensive. The cost of a BMW battery replacement at the dealer varies from $400-$600.

However, there are several aftermarket replacement batteries for BMW that function as well as the stock BMW battery provided they are correctly coded and registered.

NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 94R (L4) Battery 

This is one of the highest-rated batteries that is suitable for BMW vehicles. It is an AGM technology battery which is what most new BMW models use. 2002 and newer BMW models with lead-acid battery can use this battery but will need to perform coding to change battery type.

For 2002 or older BMW you can simply install the Northstar and don’t have to worry about coding or registration.

• Pulse Cranking Amps: 1,650 A
• CA/MCA at 32°F: 1,030 A
• CCA: 840A @ 0°F
• Reserve Capacity: 158 min
• Capacity: 76Ah @ 20 Hour Rate

You can check price: NORTHSTAR Group 94R (L4) Battery

Excide Edge 94R AGM Sealed Automotive Battery

Exide is another reliable BMW battery produced by a reputable company. Exide is renowned for putting their batteries through extensive testing. Generally, this battery has great specifications and matches the OEM BMW battery closely. 

• Cranking Amps (CA): 960A
• Cold CA: 800A
• Capacity: 80 Ah
• Reserve Capacity (RC): 140
• Battery Type: AGM
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 12.38″
  • Height: 7.5″
  • Width: 6.88
• Applications: 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, X1 X3 X5

You can check price on Amazon: Excide Edge 94R Battery

ACDelco 94R AGM Battery

• Cold Cranking Amps: 800 CCA
• Capacity: 80Ah
• Reserve Capacity (RC): 140 RC
• Battery Type: AGM
• Applications: E53 E60 E61 E63 E64 E65 E66 E70 E71 E82 E83 E84 E85 E86 E88 E89 E90 E91 E92 F01 F02 F06 F10 F13 F15 F20 F22 F25 F26 F60 F31 F85
• Part number: 88864542

Check Price: ACDelco 94R AGM Battery

XS Power D4900 AGM Battery 

XS Power are not really a popular brand, but considering the specifications and the good online reviews, it is worth considering. 

• Cold CA: 1075A 
• Capacity: 80 Ah
• Reserve Capacity (RC): 168 min
• Battery Type: AGM
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 13.9″
  • Height: 7.6″
  • Width: 6.88
• Applications: 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, X1 X3 X5

Check Price: XS Power D4900 Group 49 Battery

AutoCraft Gold 94R Battery – Advance Auto Parts

This battery is sold by Advance Auto Parts. They can be bought online and picked up at a local store the same day.

• Cranking Amps: 950A
• Cold CA: 800 A 
• Capacity: 80 Ah
• Reserve Capacity (RC): 130 min
• Battery Type: Lead Acid
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 12 7/16 in
  • Height: 7 1/2 in
  • Width: 6 15/16 in
• Applications: 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, X1 X3 X5

Check Price: Autocraft Gold 94R Battery

Autocraft Platinum Group Size H8  

• Cranking Amps: 1000 A
• Cold CA: 900 A 
• Capacity: ?? Ah
• Reserve Capacity (RC): 160 min
• Battery Type: AGM
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 13.94 in
  • Height: 7.5 in
  • Width: 6.94 in
• Applications: 328i, 323i, 335i, 325i, 550i. 535i, 540i

Check Price: AutoCraft Platinum H8 AGM Battery

How to Reprogram Battery after Replacement

After replacing your BMW battery, it would require programming or coding. If a different battery has been installed, it is vital that the car knows the specifications of this new battery so as to modify its whole charging algorithm. For instance, A 2006 BMW 330i E90 model provides the following selections when programming a battery in:

90Ah AGM, 90Ah, 80Ah AGM, 80Ah, 70Ah AGM, 70Ah, 55Ah, 46Ah.

In situations where the high specification model is programmed for a 90Ah AGM battery, but the owner wants to save money by fitting a 55Ah lead/calcium battery.  Apart from the capacity issues, the car is going to use an AGM based charging approach which is not ideal for a lead/calcium. On the other hand, the owner is doing less driving now and an upgrade to an AGM better suited to the down time is a better option.  The charge tactic needs to know this to avoid overcharging the new battery.  

Now, a specific code will have to be entered for battery makes like VW. If your aftermarket battery does not have a printed manufacturer-recognized code printed on it, you may have to match up and enter a code with the same chemistry and specs as the battery you are installing.

RELATED POST: HOW TO RESET BMW SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

Is Registering a BMW Battery Necessary?

Yes. It is of utmost importance that you register your BMW battery because failure to do this will ultimately shorten the life of the battery and possibly damage the electrical system of your battery.  The new battery will get overcharged because the car still thinks the old battery is still installed.  This can also cause damage to the alternator of your car.  Your car may also show warning lights indicating this problems.

Who can Register or Program a BMW Battery?

A BMW battery can be registered or reprogram by any BMW dealership as well as authorized BMW shops. 

Special software and plugs are needed to perform this process and is best handled by professionals.  The cost of registration and reprogramming isn’t much.

Bottom line

This new intelligent battery system that requires registering and programming BMW batteries is not only for BMW manufacturer.  

All automobile manufacturers may need to do this with the stricter emission standards set by the government.  

With full-electric cars becoming more common, electronic systems are becoming advanced. This means that maintenance can only be done by qualified technicians.

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