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Does anyone have any advice about replacing the battery in the XK8? The Interstate Store has the H8 as the non
AGM and they say they can change it out in 15 minutes. Is that realistic?
As your question is specific to your XK8, I've moved it from General Tech Help to X100 forum. Members here with the same model will have opinions and advice on the topic.
. . . they say they can change [battery] out in 15 minutes. Is that realistic?
I'm of an age you might call 'old' but I reckon I could do it in 5, so their 15 is what I'd call 'easy'
To be fair, 15 will cover from when you arrive to when you leave.
Suggest you read up Owners Manual for whether you needs (and have) radio code and how to reprogram windows and any memory functions.
Your car, your decision, but with the number of control modules in our cars, a battery providing enough voltage while cranking is paramount. A conventional battery will work of course, but you will have to "maintain" it every once in a while. i.e. top it off with distilled water, say, every oil change. AGM batteries OTOH are sealed "maintenance free", tend to cost more, but also be of higher quality overall. Many of us have had great result from the Bosch AGM battery. Pep Boys sometimes has great coupons on these, making it a no-brainer. They even offer to install it if you schedule an appt. The battery is in the trunk, so, besides the weight, is very easy to replace.
FWIW, I had the usual TRAC/ABS error upon cranking for a couple of years on my old battery. It has never come back since I installed this Bosch AGM unit.
PS: independently of the battery type, make sure you re-connect the vent tube as batteries can sometimes emit hydrogen that has no business accumulating in your trunk.
PPS: be aware that unless you take precautions, your window limits will have to be reset, and your OBD monitors will reset as well. If your car has a history of struggling to clear those monitors (EVAP, components, etc.) , be sure to provide an alternative source of power as you swap the batteries so the ECU remains powered at all times.
The Parts Dept. at Scottsdale Jaguar Dealership advised against using an AGM battery for my 2006 XK8.
this issue has discussed recently on the X100 forum ad infinitum.
as more and more vehicles come factory equipped with AGM’s , the availability of quality non-AGM’s has become problematic. At the same time, the quality of AGM’s continue to get better and better with longer and longer warranties the norm.
I think the advice of Jaguar and the dealer network to stick with the type of battery that the car came with originally is a major cop out, and does not acknowledge the marketplace realities. Furthermore, these directives come down to us from upon high with no logical explanations as to what dangers the use of the AGM’s would entail.
They might as well tell us not to use synthetic oil because it wasn’t used in the factory fill.
I’m all for keeping true to the character and style of these aging beauties, but not to the point of going back to the days of constant battery maintenance and short battery lifespans.
I think the advice of Jaguar and the dealer network to stick with the type of battery that the car came with originally is a major cop out, and does not acknowledge the marketplace realities. Furthermore, these directives come down to us from upon high with no logical explanations as to what dangers the use of the AGM’s would entail.
I would venture there are no explanations offered simply because Jaguar won't have tested new tech on an 'old' car. For that reason, the dealer will have no guidelines on the impact (or lack of) of a particular change, so will default to the party line of 'use only recommended parts'. The same will be true for synthetic vs dino oils, etc.
In this ever more litigious and PC world, it's a safe haven for them to retreat into.
I would venture there are no explanations offered simply because Jaguar won't have tested new tech on an 'old' car. For that reason, the dealer will have no guidelines on the impact (or lack of) of a particular change, so will default to the party line of 'use only recommended parts'. The same will be true for synthetic vs dino oils, etc.
In this ever more litigious and PC world, it's a safe haven for them to retreat into.
I thank everyone for their comments. My last battery was put in 5 years ago which no doubt has something to do with the CTEK trickle charger I have it hooked up to whenever it is “sleeping” in the garage. Batteries in AZ rarely last more than 3 years given our hot temp. 5 months of the year. Does an AGM battery charge up as well as as a non AGM with the CTEK?
Let me explain the reason why Jaguar recommend wet batteries are used as replacements on vehicles which originally had a wet battery fitted. It is because alternator design is matched to the battery type. Charging characteristics are different. As those who use CTEK (e.g. MXS 5.0) may have noticed, there are different setting modes for wet and AGM batteries for the same reason.
Will you have any problems using an AGM battery on your XK8? Almost certainly not. Will an AGM battery last significantly longer? Probably not.
I thank everyone for their comments. My last battery was put in 5 years ago which no doubt has something to do with the CTEK trickle charger I have it hooked up to whenever it is “sleeping” in the garage. Batteries in AZ rarely last more than 3 years given our hot temp. 5 months of the year. Does an AGM battery charge up as well as as a non AGM with the CTEK?
David . . . IMHO and experience, 3 years is dismal and even 5 not much better. The C-Tek (or similar) value is not so much as a charger for batteries allowed to stand at anything less than a full charge, but as a very smart maintainer or battery tender that switches in/out according to sensed need. Battery is kept at full charge . . . always! That is why you can keep battery terminations permanently connected and only disconnect cable snap-connector when driving.
Arizona is hot, I grant you, but not more so than many parts of Australia, where I would say 6-8 years is more the norm, but 10 if using the C-Tek. I have one for each car and it goes back on as soon as garaged.
The following, which we all wrote up years ago and is in the S-Type Stickys. Given the similar issues that now appear common to all model Jaguars of this era (S-Type, XJ, XK8/XKR, and some later) perhaps it should be more visible across all those Forums? (What say the MODS?).
AFAIR, [Jumpin' Jag Flash] was based in Texas, sorry SC. Anyway, hope this helps . . .
However it bears pointing out, that in actual practice as borne out by millions of AGM batteries (in daily use) installed in cars manufactured from 1950’s thru the 2000’s a much different story is told.
Although not purporting to substitute for a scientific study, I can relate anecdotally that during my own career in the transportation industry I’ve personally installed, or directed my service department personnel to install, hundreds, if not thousands of AGM batteries in all types of vintage vehicles, both 2 and 4 wheeled.
Over a 30+ year period I’ve yet to experience a single issue with over or under charging of the AGM battery. In every case, the AGM’s are providing the owners with a reliable battery that is lasting much
longer than the outdated top fill conventional battery.
The sky may very well be falling, but empirical evidence says it’s still safe to go outside.
Not having to reset codes sounds good. Suggest on good sources of alternative power and ways to connect appreciated.
Under the bonnet on the left hand side (left when sat in the car, of course!) there is a place to attach a power source - another battery connected by jump leads is the easiest. Not my picture:
Only ever use these points for charging or for doing a battery swap - never try to jump start the car through these!
I installed the appropriate Bosch AGM battery from Pep Boys in my wife's 2006 XK8 on July 4th, 2018. They gave it to me free as a customer goodwill gesture after the two previous Bosch wet-cell batteries from them lasted no longer than three years each. Zero battery issues with this car since then. I appreciate the Pep Boys manager who made that decision....
Not having to reset codes sounds good. Suggest on good sources of alternative power and ways to connect appreciated.
As shown above, there are ground and positive posts in the engine compartment where a spare battery can be hooked up. Charging cables to another battery in a car parked next to yours would probably be simplest.
Another option is to find one of those battery-operated devices for the cigar lighter socket that pertain to keep enough power for a radio (so it does not trigger the need for a code). Check eBay or Amazon. Never tried myself.
Battery XK8 Victory 2006
