Now this is stupid !
 

My 8's battery is dead. I store it in the winter but start it every 2 weeks and let it run for a half hr. SO...I tried to charge it but it was soooo dead it would even light a LED on the charger. SO i pulled the battery and took it to my regular Mazda dealer. They put it on a charger and also found out it was toast. SO, the service mgr. tells me to take the battery and put it back in the car and call Mazda road side assistance and have it towed in so they can replace the battery. This is the only way he says mazda will warranty the battery....another 8 on a flat bed!.....STUPID!

If I were you, I would just go buy a car battery. To me, it's not worth the hassle of having my car towed away.

I'm with BlueEyes on this one. For the $100-$200 dollars for a nice no maintenance Optima, I would buy one and then write MNAO to complain that the dealer wouldn't replace the battery under warranty. I would also ask for the replacement battery (that you bought) to be paid for by them.

^^good idea, i'd go with that route myself. you never know they might pay for it..and if not you still have a much better battery:D

Why the hell should i pay for a battery?? Its stupid and dam bad publicity for the 8 (scene on a flat bed) But at least they pay for the toe and a the new battery.

Taking car to dealer tommorrow -- Battery Question
 

Hey,

I just recently purchased my RX-8 last Wednesday. There were a few small paint chips on the rear bumper, so I am having them fixed by the dealer (at their cost).

My question is that I have heard the stock battery is very weak (and I have noticed this.) I want to get the battery replaced with the one that Mazda says it should be replaced with. What is the best method to try to get the dealer to replace the battery under warranty? I really do not want to have to shell out the cash for a new battery when it is Mazda's fault the batter is so low powered in the first place.

Thanks,
- Brian

Do you have another battery to stick in there just to get to the dealer?

Not one that small.

then I guess you're wating for a tow. Have fun.

Massage the Truth
 

A guy I know (not me, of course) who owns an 8 has his in for service as we speak. He informed his service department that his battery seemed to be cranking 'very slowly' at times, and ,in fact, he had 'put it on a charger once already' and it would be 'in nobody's best interest if the car flooded due to a weak battery'. His service department replaced his battery with with the 640 cca model under warranty.
This guy told me most of what he told the service department was true, but he declined to answer when I pressed him on the specifics.

Do you know what TSB speaks about the weak battery and mentions a replacement for it? It may help my case if I bring in the TSB with me. I think my dealer will work with me since the battery was dead to begin with then I bought the car (they had to use the battery jumper to get it started.)

Try:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html

Battery Replacement- Service Tip 12/15/04

The battery is definitely going to be one of my first "maintenance mods" for this car -- I'll get something better when it wears out. If it lasts two years, I'll count myself lucky.

what about trying a different dealer in your area?

My dealer replaced mine under warranty with a 660 CCA :D I called them first and told them I had herd there was an upgrade available available and they checked and called me back to say they had the battery and to bring the 8 in for exchange. :D They gave me N flash too (WDS 35.7) :cool:

If your local is worth a nickle they will replace the battery everytime a customer complains of slow cranking.

Unless they want to get to know you on a first name basis.

Battery Questions / Complaints
 

I'm creating this thread as a general place to post battery questions. Several existing threads are merged here.

Thank you.

Yep my battery just died. Went out to the car (first time in weeks when no snow or ice on the ground) and it would not unlock. First time ever i had to use the key. Anys opened the door and no lights. I just sat there like "oh s@#t". Long story short key in ignition and nothing. No light nothing. Called the dealer today and while talking to them they said they already called a tow truck to get my 8 and inspect it. Yes, they said INSPECT it. In case it might be something else. I told them what else could it be and they told me they believed it was my battery but they had to make sure due to procedure. So now awaiting a tow truck. And I was supposed to get my inspection, new brake pads, and an oil change today.

Is there a way to tell if you have the upgraded battery, does it look different? I checked mine out and it doesn't appear to have anything on it I can actually read.

I'm picking my car up in an hour I'll let you know if I notice anything different

The factory battery is small and black. As far as I know the new battery is an "Interstate"

ok, well then I have the factory battery unless Interstate started printing labels in Japanese

Just got back the new one is an "Interstate" battery. 640CCA

WHOPPING 305 Cold Craking Amps
 

That is the battery that comes with a RX-8. Mine was Dead and i took it in (just the Battery). The dealer said they tried to charge it but it was bad. Then I was told to put the battery back in the car and have it towed by Mazda roadside. I put the battery back in the car and it started! I drove it to Mazda 2 weeks later ( it bairly started after sitting for 2 weeks). Now the dealership says the battery is fine! And because it passed some test they will not replace it!! He also told me 305 CCA is what the car comes with, BUT if mazda replaces it, they will use a 500CCA battery. Even 500CCA I think is a joke. I've never even saw a battery with less than 600. :mad: