Battery low do not switch off engine.

[DougX]

I own a 2015/6 Jaguar F type 3.0 (380) with 22,000 miles on the clock. Recently, I've started to experience battery issues. The car only does 3,000 miles a year and often spends three or four weeks without starting.

I'm assume the battery is discharging and then re-charging when I start the car. I've had a couple of occasions where a warning message has appeared stating: 'battery low do not switch off engine'.

Should I replace the battery?

[JimMann]

Hi Doug, the general advice is that on these modern Jaguars the battery should be considered as a consumable and replaced when it is around 5-years old. If the battery in your F-type is the original, then it is definitely due for replacement. In my world, the F-type should be on its third battery by this stage of its life.

Similarly, there is always a small drain on the battery when the car is standing unused, and the recommendation is to hook the car to a battery conditioner when it is not being used - even for short periods. Many folks cite their like for the Ctek, whilst I prefer the Ring Automotive Smart Charger model 612, which has more "aids" via its LCD screen. Both cost around the same from reputable suppliers.

Jim Mann

[DougX]

Thanks Jim, I have a CTek charger but as the car lives on the drive it’s not convenient to attach it. Will look at replacing the battery.

[mike020150]

Hi Doug,

Jaguar takes a very conservative view about the need for its cars to display low battery warnings. Nevertheless, with such a low usage each year, your car's battery life will always be short unless you religiously use a battery conditioner when the car is not in use.

First, get your garage to test the battery to see if it needs to be replaced. It's a simple quick task (inexpensive). Investing in a battery conditioner is always a good idea for low mileage cars, so consider using yours all the time, however inconvenient. They are cheaper than regularly installing new batteries! For example, I use a CTEK conditioner and only changed my original X150 battery after 10 years, as a precaution. I still have it as a fully working workshop spare. Similarly treated to routine CTEK conditioning, my V6 XE's original battery is now more than 8 years old.

On the other hand, if the battery is newish and you suspect some sort of battery drain, from an item like the alarm sounder (perhaps with a failing internal rechargeable battery) or other electronic fault, start by having the car's quiescent current reading tested. Various electronic systems remain energised using small current flows even when the car is double locked. As long as the quiescent current is within specification, a fully charged battery should still be able to easily start the car after more than a month or so's inactivity without any problem. However, no battery lasts forever and as Jim says, they are consumable items. Mike.