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I had a DurCell DUR-9A49 installed in my 2013 XK in 2019. Total cost at Batteries Plus was $249. I don't drive as much as I would like, and then only on short trips. Consequently, I've had to put it on a charger once in a while. I can always tell it was needed by slow cranking. That worked well for but recently I've had to put it on the charger more frequently, IOW, it doesn't seem to be holding the charge..
So today I took it to a local shop that I've been using for years and was quoted $500 plus installation! Yet, if I Google Duracell batteries for the 2013 XK I see prices still in the the $250 range. Is my trusted shop milking the job or what? What am I missing?
I'd be concerned that the guys at Bat+ would be aware of the Jaguar idiosyncrasies, but I'll chat them I have several UPS units around the house and they replace the batteries for me, so I'm a regular there.
I know that many Forum members have switched from their OEM flooded (wet cell) battery to an AGM battery. I did, too. All was good until my convertible top started operating slower than usual. Switching back to a conventional battery from Costco solved that problem. I'm still using my old CTEK MUS4.3 all the time, as my XKR is not my daily driver.
Note that the alternator's charging profile corresponds to the battery type your car was born with. If it didn't come from the factory with an AGM battery, your alternator won't properly charge it.
And I don’t have it in front of me at this moment but the Workshop Manual specifies the correct battery size.
Allow me to add, BMS is smarter than many give it credit for. Though the workshop manual specifies a resetting of the BMS is necessary following a battery change, it also states BMS will re-adjust on its own following a number of start procedures.
An update.
After consulting some "policy documents" the guy at the local Batteries+ said that he couldn't do the install.
So I went back to my long trusted Jag service shop, Wilson Enterprises in Brea CA, to ask how much they would charge to install it. I was shocked when I found the doors closed. The only sign of the shop ever having been there was an faded sign painted on the building saying "Wilson Automotive." So, it appears the guy I spoke with a few days earlier was going to install a battery currently in the shop, ask for the $500 in cash, and run!
I've put in a call to the closest Land Rover/Jaguar dealer to get the cost of having them do it. My guess is they will install only their approved brand and charge a very high labor rate for the installation.
I'm also considering buying the Batteries+ recommended battery and try installing it myself. I might have to pick up a day laborer at Home Depot to help me drop into place!
I don't have a Service Manual so I would appreciate advice on the installation procedures, in particular common pitfalls!
I just had Ramona Tires put a new battery into mine. There's a couple over in Mission Viejo -- you might check with them. They got everything mostly right -- I had to fix the luggage separator, and had to do the window reset, but otherwise they got everything right.
............................... They got everything mostly right -- I had to fix the luggage separator, and had to do the window reset, but otherwise they got everything right.
Not much else TO do... connect the cables and bolt down the clamp?
Not much else TO do... connect the cables and bolt down the clamp?
True, But they did get that right!
They also managed to avoid losing all the settings, and they knew enough to reset the idle. There have been a few horror stories about battery changes, so I was happy mine went smoothly...
@CurtJ Just because your car started and ran Ok doesn't mean "they got everything right." Do you know if the battery was fully charged before it was installed? Many brand new batteries sit on retailers' shelves for months discharging before they're installed.
Every battery produces hydrogen gas when it's being charged, including by a battery maintainer while parked in your garage. The battery is in an enclosed compartment, and hydrogen gas can accumulate if it's not vented outside the car where it can safely dissipate.
Do you know if they connected the vent tube? If not, hydrogen gas, which is colorless, odorless, and highly volatile, can accumulate in the battery compartment and turn your car into a bomb! And yes, even sealed AGM batteries are vented. Sure, an explosion is unlikely to happen, but why risk it?
@CurtJ Just because your car started and ran Ok doesn't mean "they got everything right." Do you know if the battery was fully charged before it was installed? Many brand new batteries sit on retailers' shelves for months discharging before they're installed.
Every battery produces hydrogen gas when it's being charged, including by a battery maintainer while parked in your garage. The battery is in an enclosed compartment, and hydrogen gas can accumulate if it's not vented outside the car where it can safely dissipate.
Do you know if they connected the vent tube? If not, hydrogen gas, which is colorless, odorless, and highly volatile, can accumulate in the battery compartment and turn your car into a bomb! And yes, even sealed AGM batteries are vented. Sure, an explosion is unlikely to happen, but why risk it?
The good news is reading this forum taught me the right questions to ask. So when I went in I asked them specifically to make sure the battery was fully charged (yes), and after it was done I specifically asked if they'd done the external venting (yes). They performed the idle reset (#3-6) while I was there, and I took care of #7 on the way home. Really, the only thing they had trouble with was the luggage separator which many of struggled with the first time, and the auto-up window reset which they didn't have instructions for.
The only way I know to be more confident that the things got done is to do it myself. But it's been a few minutes since I was 17 working on my '67 Pontiac, and I don't fancy schlepping a battery in and out of that recess then spending a week off work while my back recovers
My procedure for a battery swap in my XKR:
Charge the battery overnight with a good charger.
Swap the battery (with vent attached).
Reset windows.
Eso es todo.
It's never failed.
My colleague's suggestion should be followed. I would add just 1 point. Let the battery rest (not on any charging device) for 6 hours, then take a voltage reading. If its less than 12.6v, your battery is not at 100% health.
Incidentally, I now have access to my docs. And from the workshop manual...
I had a DurCell DUR-9A49 installed in my 2013 XK in 2019. Total cost at Batteries Plus was $249. I don't drive as much as I would like, and then only on short trips. Consequently, I've had to put it on a charger once in a while. I can always tell it was needed by slow cranking. That worked well for but recently I've had to put it on the charger more frequently, IOW, it doesn't seem to be holding the charge..
So today I took it to a local shop that I've been using for years and was quoted $500 plus installation! Yet, if I Google Duracell batteries for the 2013 XK I see prices still in the the $250 range. Is my trusted shop milking the job or what? What am I missing?
absolutely- I've noticed this too, once a shop gains your trust that's when they begin to milk you here and there.. I always do my homework and they're not used to people doing the research!!.. I had the advisor try and charge me separately for Coils when having the plugs done!!!.. I said they have too remove the coils to get to the plugs.. And he played stupid!!!.. Yeah ok!!! So now I get attitude because he knows he's not paying his rent when I bring in the Jag for service... I buy all my own parts and pay only for the labor!!!.. And I'm still insured on the work because it's the labor that would cause failure if not the parts!!!..
I purchased an AGM for around 250.00 and they installed it at the Advance Auto store.. I also have a NOCO battery tender which I think the Genius 2 is superior to CTek... For a fraction of the price!!!..
2011 Jaguar XK
The official Jaguar battery is an Interstate battery with a Jaguar sticker on it. Never put a charger on your battery. Put, on an intelligent battery maintainer such as Ctek. Our Jags have a lot of parasitic draw. If your aren’t driving regularly…put it on a maintainer.
Best battery for 2013 XK
