Can AutoZone Register BMW Battery? (Explained)
AutoZone is a hub for auto parts, any day, anytime! You can’t deny that AutoZone is one of the most reliable auto parts stores. More than 43 years in the industry is no joke.
Everyone would want to get the best out of their BMW battery. That’s where registering the battery comes in.
You’d easily think of AutoZone when you want quality service. So, is it possible to register a BMW battery at the auto part store too?
Sadly, AutoZone can’t register BMW batteries. It’s only possible to get a replacement battery at the auto store. AutoZone is America’s number one battery destination. Car owners can buy and install batteries and get free testing and charging at AutoZone. But registering batteries isn’t one of the services at AutoZone.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a BMW Battery at AutoZone?
AutoZone doesn’t register batteries, so you can’t register your BMW battery at the auto parts store.
We reached out to an AutoZone representative, who confirmed that they don’t offer that service. So, it’s not just BMW batteries, but all car batteries.
So, you can look up other stores where you can register your BMW battery. The average cost of the service is $200.
But the cost will be different if you get the correct tools to register the battery.
Though that process falls under DIY, you should be precise with your actions.
Why Do I Need to Register My BMW Battery?
BMW uses a smart charging system for its batteries to reduce CO2 emissions. So, the batteries only charge when there’s a need to.
An Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) in BMW cars ensures the battery charges properly.
So, if you don’t register your BMW battery, it’ll overcharge and die faster. Also, not registering your BMW battery can damage some electronic parts in your car.
Sadly, many people skip the important bit about registering their BMW batteries.
However, we’ll tell you all you need to know about why you need to register your BMW battery.
#1. Proper Battery Operation
Registering a BMW battery means matching it to the onboard ECU. That’s a must for all recent BMW models with IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor).
It’s best to match your BMW battery to the onboard ECU because the ECU adjusts the charging cycle. With IBS, the car’s alternator runs ONLY when the battery needs a charge.
But if there’s no battery-ECU match, the new battery would be through an old charging cycle. So then, the ECU reads the new battery as an old one.
So, it won’t adjust to give the new battery a charging cycle that fits its capacity. That would surely unsettle the battery cells and alter the battery’s function.
When your car battery doesn’t work, as usual, that can dent your car’s fuel economy. So, the function of the battery isn’t on electrical parts alone.
#2. Healthy Battery Life
The fact that the alternator will keep running even when the battery doesn’t need to charge is a disaster. That will deplete the battery cells with the speed of light.
But that only happens when you don’t register your new BMW battery. Thus, your battery will have a shorter service life than it should.
Here’s a guide to BMW models whose new batteries you need to register.
BMW Model | Year |
---|---|
7-Series E65/E66 chassis | 2002 and newer |
6-Series E63/E64 chassis | 2003 and newer |
5-Series E60/E61 chassis | 2004 and newer |
X5 E53 chassis *with N62 engine* | 2005 and newer |
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis | 2006 and newer |
X5 E70 chassis | 2007 and newer |
X6 E71 chassis | 2008 and newer |
Can AutoZone Charge a BMW Battery?
Yes, AutoZone can charge a BMW battery. The auto parts store lists battery charging among its services.
There’s no exception for any batteries that AutoZone can charge. So you’ve got BMW batteries covered at AutoZone as well.
But there’s a catch with charging batteries at the auto parts store. The battery type should be a product that AutoZone sells.
AutoZone’s guarantee with batteries is that if they sell it, they can charge it.
Then, as an incentive to customers, AutoZone offers free battery testing and charging.
You can get that across every AutoZone in the US. Then, using the Duralast Fast Charger, you can get your battery charged at AutoZone in about 30 minutes.
The chances of not finding your BMW battery at AutoZone are very slim. The auto parts store isn’t America’s #1 Battery Destination in words alone.
It’s also in action! So, search for your specific BMW battery on AutoZone. That’s to double-check if the product is available and in-store.
Then, you can take the next step to charge your BMW battery by finding an AutoZone near you. The team would be happy to give you all the services you need.
How To Register BMW Battery Myself?
The first step to registering your new BMW battery is finding the right tool for your model.
Scanners are sometimes specific and may not work for all BMW car models.
Also, you need to ensure the new BMW battery has the same specifications as the original one. Otherwise, the battery registration wouldn’t be successful.
There are a handful of scanners for DIY battery registration. Some examples are; Foxwell, AutoPhix, Autel MaxiSys, INPA Software, and BlueDriver OBD2 scanner.
The ANCEL BM 700 Multi-system scanner is a great choice for BMW models. That’s because it has a specific menu for BMW cars.
Here, we’ll show how to register your new BMW battery with the ANCEL BM 700 Multi-system scanner.
So please, follow the steps below to complete your BMW battery registration.
- Remove the old battery and install your new BMW battery.
- Find the onboard diagnostic port (OBD-2 port) for your vehicle. The OBD-2 port is usually under the dashboard near the brake pedal.
- Plug the ANCEL BM 700 Multi-system scanner into the OBD-2 port.
- Select the “for BMW” option from the main menu on the scanner.
- Read through the on-screen instructions and press OK on the scanner.
- Select “for BMW Series Diagnose” and choose your car series. Scroll through the car models and select your BMW model.
- Select “Special Function” on the next screen and scroll down to “Battery Management.” Hold on for a moment while the scanner communicates with the car.
- After that, you’ll see options to “Evaluate battery change state” or “Register battery change.” Select “Register battery change.”
- The scanner will prompt you to delete the records of the old battery.
- Follow the prompts on the scanner as it gives details of the special function. Press OK at the end of the screen. Then the system will register your new BMW battery.
- With the simple click of a button, you’ve successfully registered your BMW battery.
Conclusion
AutoZone doesn’t register BMW batteries or any other vehicle batteries. But they offer free battery testing and charging services.
So, you’d have to check another auto parts store to register your BMW battery.
But you can register the battery yourself if you get the right scanner for your car model. A good example is the ANCEL BM 700 Multi-system scanner.