Hey,

I've looked around for pictures of the OEM battery that comes in a Series II, but with no luck. Mine died and dealer said they'd replace it if it's still original, but I'm not sure that it is, since I bought the car used.

It's rather small in the holder and it has two protruding bits on top, with large recycle logos, to check the acid level. The battery connectors have obviously been removed prior, so that's why I'm asking.

Thanks

And on a side note, should a dealer pay for towing if your car breaks and it's still under warranty? Mine refuses to, and it's bullshit since I bought the car and expected it to work. Opinions?

 

Mazda Roadside Assistance is free while the car is under B to B. If that's who towed you in, then it should be covered. If you got someone else, without trying Mazda, then it's on you.

Unless a car maker specifically covers towing in some way, they're under no obligation.

Ken

 

It is under bumper to bumper still. It's an '09 with 13k miles and the dude at the dealership specifically said I"m responsible for towing. I'm going to be an *** and get every little thing on my 8 replaced through this guy. From my slightly cracked battery cover to the ******* floor mat hook.

 

Not to be an @ss, but have you looked in your glovebox in the packet where your owners manual is? See if there is anything in there about roadside assistance as was pointed out previously.


Off the Mazda website:

24/7 Roadside Assistance
If Mazda vehicle is not driveable due to a warranted part failure during the coverage period of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (36 months/36,000 miles), towing service will be covered to the nearest Mazda Dealer. In addition, if a Mazda vehicle is not driveable due to the failure of a warranted powertrain component, then towing service will be covered during the coverage period of the Powertrain Limited Warranty (60 months/60,000 miles).

Call 1-800-866-1998

Here's the link!

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ownersWarranty


It also says..................

Mazda High-Performance Replacement Battery Warranty
36/60-Month Replacement Warranty

If dealer installed, coverage is as follows:
1-36 months: Free replacement and labor
37-48 months: Customer is responsible for 70% of the MSRP of battery and labor
49-60 months: Customer is responsible for 80% of the MSRP of the battery and labor
What's not covered by your battery's warranty:
Damage or failure due to accidents, misuse, theft, fire, freezing and improper discharging, etc.
Use in applications for which the battery is not designed
Improper installation or battery recharging

Mazda battery warranties are subject to the limitations and exclusions listed in the Mazda Vehicle’s Warranty Information Booklet, “What is Not Covered,” under the Replacement Parts and Accessories Warranty.

 

Once again though, I feel as though the guy should have pointed the roadside assistance thing himself. Doesn't matter though, because I need a new seat frame installed anyways. Once side caved down.

Also, as far as the battery goes, I'm not sure if it's OEM. I know it's under warranty if it is, but I'm not sure it is.

 

I honestly can't see how an '09s battery has already been replaced once and now needs to be replaced again. My gutt tells me that a.) it has not yet been replaced, or b.) if it has been replaced already and needs to be replaced again you have bigger issues to deal with.

 

I might have bigger issues, but I won't know until I get a new battery. I have a marine battery in there now cause I had to get to school, but I'll see how long the Mazda replacement lives once I get it.

 

That warranty if for the replacement battery, not the original. The original is covered for one year, and then it's prorated 50%, which makes it like $70. I said **** it. The guy pissed me off so bad, having told me he could replace it and that I needed an appointment and all this bull, just to say I need to pay the difference. I told him to kiss my *** and I bought an energizer battery. 8 year warranty. **** Mazda service dept.

 

a battery is a battery. i get your pissed, and yeah the dealer is probably being a dick, but it's like $100, and you can get a better aftermarket one anyway. dealers aren't that keen on dealing with dead batteries because typically it's user error (leaving a light on, etc.) and not something that just fails for no reason.

fwiw, my '04 had the original battery for 6+ years. i had the dealer do a drip charge (or whatever it's called) once, but other than i just replaced it for the first time. so either you got a lemon battery, or something is draining it, b/c an 09 shouldn't need a new battery imo.

 

I bought the car used from a dealer, which makes me think it sat somewhere for a while and that probably killed it. My new one, which is aftermarket Energizer, is warrantied eight years, so if anything drains it, I can figure it out and get a new battery no problem.

The reason I'm pissed at the dealer is because he has my car on file and knows how old it is, and yet told me blatantly that he could give me a new battery no problem, so I said I'd come after classes let out. But when I came, I suddenly needed an appointment because it was two hours before the Service Dept closed. Wtf? Then, I came and waited and he comes out saying it'll be like $70. I told him to keep his ****, cause I could get a better one for the money. On top of this, the first time I called with my car sitting dead, he said I needed to pay for towing, though I now I know that Roadside Assistance still applies. The guy is an ***. He's mad that I'm a young guy with an 8 and he drives an old copper Corolla or some ****.

I could give less of a **** about the battery warranty. It is what it is. But the service was despicable. Oh, and they broke the bits of the battery cover and the cover to the left of it that hold a hose in place, so they can expect a call from me soon about them.

 

ahh... what life is all about.

Standard procedure.

I recomend an auto shop class and finding an old dog that can teach you and will give you advice on situations like this.

What happened to your dad? He should have known what the standard procedure is.

Nothing wrong with Mazda service. All dealers and aftermarket autoshops give you the same run around in a circle.

No Dad? Join the RX8 club in your area.

 

perhaps a mute point, but for the original poster, here is a picture of the oem battery on my RX-8:

 

OEM...

Series 2, Most of them In S2 are Panasonic...like mine..

The Japanese tend to use Amp Hour Ratings instead of CCA (Cold Cranking Amps...like in USA)

Original S1 8's had 50 Amp Hour...Woefully inadequate...Starter Issues..

Then later they went to 75 Amp Hour..

The Series 2's have 80 Amp Hour, that is 80 amps of power drain in an Hour...higher the amps the longer the battery stays charged...

Mazda Distributors as a Rule do not import Batteries, or dry Batteries, because of Cost Mainly.

So in your case your dealer should have installed the Highest CCA or AMP hour he could that would fit correctly with terminals on the correct side and location of battery.

Here is the Mazda Part Number JF02-18-520E , it is also used in latest CX-7 and CX-9

 

I feel like there isn't really an active RX-8 club in the Richmond, Va area. I joined my college's car club, but it's fairly small and rather disunited.

I feel like I did everything properly. The dealer just couldn't have given less of a **** about me, or else he would have avoided all of this. All he had to do was look in his file before telling me straight up that it wouldn't be a problem.

What is 'standard procedure' though? Would could I have done differently?

My battery was unmarked, apart from a sticker on top with months and days to indicate installation and service dates, but no one had marked on it.

I bought an Energizer battery. Is it adequate? I can't find anything about it online, but I got it as Sam's Club. Think it was a 35N, or something like that.