CX-3 Battery replacement

[the_secretary]

Hi everyone.

Posting here because the other one didn't get any replies at all. New to the forums. Wanted to ask for some advice regarding my 2017 Mazda CX-3 AWD's battery. It has served me well, but I believe its battery may need changing soon. I got it August 2017, so it is due. Been doing some reading across different forums about changing the battery of the car.

When I first got this, Mazda Alabang told me they've partnered up with Motolite to produce a special battery for its vehicles. I for one immediately call this BS marketing so I'll be forced to get a battery from them. Mazda customer care was quick to respond to my email earlier this morning. They said:

Thank you for your reaching out and we hope you are well.

The battery for your CX3 AWD is a special battery called Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) and can only be purchased thru authorized dealers.

I refuse to believe this, but if there is a genuine reason for this, I want to hear it. Also, will this cost an arm and a leg? I know standard batteries hover around 5k - 7K.

I have a few questions:

1. If I go for other brands of batteries (ex. Panasonic, Bosch, Optima), what do I stand to lose? Just the i-Stop system from engaging, right? What other brands should I look at (only ones that are locally available please)
2. Any other Mazda owner (who has an i-Stop system in their car) willing to share their experience?
3. I've read online about Q85 batteries and AGM batteries. Are these the types of batteries that will work with the i-Stop system?

Again, I really don't mind losing i-Stop functionality. I'm more concerned about the price-performance ratio and simple logic lol. I don't mind spending 6K or 7K every 2 years on the dot rather than spend 20K for a special battery that will need changing every 2 years and X months.

Thanks!

[Archerfish]

It is recommended that you replace the battery with the same type, that is, EFB.

I'll admit, I "cheated" as I'm using an ordinary battery at the moment. It was given by my friend for free so I can't complain. She said she'll replace it with an EFB once she gets one.

[the_secretary]

It is recommended that you replace the battery with the same type, that is, EFB.

I'll admit, I "cheated" as I'm using an ordinary battery at the moment. It was given by my friend for free so I can't complain. She said she'll replace it with an EFB once she gets one.

Hey, thanks for the heads up! Yeah, this was the battery type Mazda told me about, but I immediately brushed it off as marketing. I checked Motolite's website, and they recommend the Excel 1SM. Is this different from the one Mazda was talking about? I thought they partnered up with Motolite for batteries in the local market, since they imported expensive ones before?

Pardon my ignorance to these things.

[Archerfish]

Hey, thanks for the heads up! Yeah, this was the battery type Mazda told me about, but I immediately brushed it off as marketing. I checked Motolite's website, and they recommend the Excel 1SM. Is this different from the one Mazda was talking about? I thought they partnered up with Motolite for batteries in the local market, since they imported expensive ones before?

Pardon my ignorance to these things.

I was told that Mazda dropped Motolite. Going back to your question, as long as it's an EFB then you can go for it. Kindly confirm from them if it's​ an EFB. I've heard that an ordinary battery will work and I have confirmed it, I just don't know how long it will last.

I recommend a trickle charger like CTEK for your new battery. Unfortunately, Blade online doesn't have them right now and other stores are way overpriced.

[travajante]

Hey, thanks for the heads up! Yeah, this was the battery type Mazda told me about, but I immediately brushed it off as marketing. I checked Motolite's website, and they recommend the Excel 1SM. Is this different from the one Mazda was talking about? I thought they partnered up with Motolite for batteries in the local market, since they imported expensive ones before?

Pardon my ignorance to these things.

Mazda had an exclusive deal w/ Motolite to provide them w/ EnhancedFloodedBatts for a while at lower cost. Quality wasn't up to other locally available EFBs from the likes of YUASA(current Mazda supplier), Delkor & Panasonic.
The Motolite 1SM recommendation might be for the Facelifted CX3s 2018+ w/o iStop.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

[yapoy86]

Mazda had an exclusive deal w/ Motolite to provide them w/ EnhancedFloodedBatts for a while at lower cost. Quality wasn't up to other locally available EFBs from the likes of YUASA(current Mazda supplier), Delkor & Panasonic.
The Motolite 1SM recommendation might be for the Facelifted CX3s 2018+ w/o iStop.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

what if you use an ordinary flooded battery, what will happen with i-stop feature? will the vehicle be able to "detect" that you are using an ordinary battery?

[travajante]

what if you use an ordinary flooded battery, what will happen with i-stop feature? will the vehicle be able to "detect" that you are using an ordinary battery?

In general....
Batt dealers may void the nonEFB/AGM batt warranty on SSVs.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

[uncle_sam]

It is recommended that you replace the battery with the same type, that is, EFB.

I'll admit, I "cheated" as I'm using an ordinary battery at the moment. It was given by my friend for free so I can't complain. She said she'll replace it with an EFB once she gets one.

Did you have to reset or reprogram after installing non-EFB? Or just plug and play the new battery and go? Am worried that something goes wrong if not reset or reprogram after install. What’s your experience?

[Archerfish]

Did you have to reset or reprogram after installing non-EFB? Or just plug and play the new battery and go? Am worried that something goes wrong if not reset or reprogram after install. What’s your experience?

It's plug and play. There is a procedure somewhere here on how to reset i-Stop posted by this guy,

I'll take a look and post it if ever I find it.

As I have mentioned, I got the battery free. Otherwise, I would have bought an EFB. Anyways, I should be getting the free EFB from my friend if not for the "CCP virus".

I do not recommend that you use any battery unless it is an EFB. As I've said, I got the battery for free with a promise that it will be replaced once she has an available EFB.

[travajante]

It's plug and play. There is a procedure somewhere here on how to reset i-Stop posted by this guy,


I'll take a look and post it if ever I find it.

As I have mentioned, I got the battery free. Otherwise, I would have bought an EFB. Anyways, I should be getting the free EFB from my friend if not for the "CCP virus".

I do not recommend that you use any battery unless it is an EFB. As I've said, I got the battery for free with a promise that it will be replaced once she has an available EFB.

iStop relearning DIY:

1. Warm the engine up. Turn everything electrical off that you can - radio, A/C, lights, chargers, etc. Bring it close to electrical load.

2. Switch the ignition off.

3. Switch ignition to on but dont start engine. Long-press the i-stop OFF switch for 3 s within 5 s after switching the ignition ON.

4. Start the engine.

5. Press the i-stop OFF switch. Verify that the i-stop indicator light (green) flashes and stays flashing. If it does not flash, go back to Step 3.

6. Allow the engine to idle for 10 minutes, or until the i-stop indicator light (green) turns off. Mine didnt stop flashing so after 10 minutes or so i just went to step 7.

7. Switch the engine off. Wait a minute or two.

8. Start the engine. Go for a drive, and check that the i-stop system operates normally. Those with i-stop will know that you may need to drive a mile or two until it activates. Remember that i-stop will not operate when (a) for diesels...when engines are in DPF regen mode, and (b) in those other conditions stated in the manual. Also, if a new battery was fitted, it may take some time for the new battery to fully charge up before i-stop will start working. Go for a decent drive so it gets fully charged.

9. If i-stop operates as normal, reset 's done.

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[uncle_sam]

It's plug and play. There is a procedure somewhere here on how to reset i-Stop posted by this guy,


I'll take a look and post it if ever I find it.

As I have mentioned, I got the battery free. Otherwise, I would have bought an EFB. Anyways, I should be getting the free EFB from my friend if not for the "CCP virus".

I do not recommend that you use any battery unless it is an EFB. As I've said, I got the battery for free with a promise that it will be replaced once she has an available EFB.

Thanks Archerfish. I noted advice of travajante earlier. But I waited to check from other folks whether they had any problems if reset not done properly or not from casa. Will be prepared to risk using non-EFB with shorter batt life - just not use the I-Stop.

[Archerfish]

Thanks Archerfish. I noted advice of travajante earlier. But I waited to check from other folks whether they had any problems if reset not done properly or not from casa. Will be prepared to risk using non-EFB with shorter batt life - just not use the I-Stop.

These are the error messages I got before the battery went kaput:



I had it for a month or so. I know I should have replaced the battery right away when I got the first warning, Battery Management, but I'm a bit "stubborn".

I am somehow confident that I can "squeeze more juice" from the battery with the use of CTEK, as frequent as possible.

Another thing, I always bring my super duper JumpStart kit. So if my battery decides to "commit suicide" at anytime, I can always start the car. Finally it said goodbye, together with the error warning from CTEK.