Introduced in 2010, the EfficientDynamics versions of the popular BMW 3 series incorporated the company’s Start-Stop system.
As these vehicles begin to drop out of the franchised dealer network and enter the independent sector, workshops, and the technicians undertaking service and repair work on these variants, need to bear in mind that they will not be fitted with traditional lead-acid starter batteries. Instead these models will use an AGM battery such as a VARTA® Start Stop Plus and will therefore require specialist knowledge and equipment to ensure the correct removal and installation process is followed.
In addition, as the battery in the system is integrated with the vehicle’s battery management system and its ECU, thorough diagnosis is required to discover whether the battery needs to be replaced or if there is an underlying cause that might have led to its premature failure.
Having the ability to cancel and reset the fault codes that may be required for associated components like the alternator and starter motor, as well as the Start-Stop system, mean that workshops would be wise to invest in the necessary tooling and training to allow them to tackle these issues.
Manbat, the UK’s largest automotive battery distributor, is also the primary distributor for VARTA®, Europe’s leading Start-Stop battery manufacturer. Together they have the products, equipment, and in association with eXponentia, the technical expertise, to ensure that workshops are fully prepared and have the confidence to service not only the BMW 3 Series EfficientDynamics, but any other Start-Stop vehicle they may encounter.
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