Battery Maintenance Program

Battery Maintenance
The battery charge is monitored while the vehicle is at the VPC and before it leaves on the transport. When the vehicle is having the QC I performed at the center the check list requires that the battery voltage be checked and maintained to 12.65 V minimum.

In order to facilitate tracking vehicles in inventory, BMW has in place a Battery Maintenance Program. The program uses:
- Battery Log Forms
- Battery Log Binder
- Colored windshield stickers (red, green, yellow and white)

The Battery Maintenance Program has three possibilities:
- Vehicle in storage, battery disconnect switch removed.
- Vehicle in showroom or display, battery disconnect switch removed.
- Vehicle in storage, Battery disconnect switch left in the vehicle.

Vehicle in storage, battery disconnect switch removed
A four week charging cycle has been established for these cases. All vehicles arrive with a color coded sticker on the windshield. The color corresponds to the week that the battery must be charged. Also the vehicle will be provided with a Battery Log Form.

The "A" portion (Vehicle Receipt) of the Log Form must be completed during the QC I Display check and then has to be filed in the Battery Charge Log Book under the applicable color coded section. All the vehicles in that color section will have to be charged that week.

Vehicle in showroom or display, battery disconnect switch removed
Because of the high consumer demand on vehicles that are being displayed and not driven, a four week charging cycle is not enough. For vehicles in the showroom the battery has to be charged as frequently as necessary to ensure that the battery never drops below 12.5 V. Use the "C" portion of the log form (Display Vehicle - Monitored Daily) to keep track of the charging and checking of the battery.

Vehicle in storage, battery disconnect switch left in the vehicle
Since the battery disconnect switch is left installed and in the "OFF" position the 3 month charge cycle can be used. Use the "D" section of the Battery Log Form to document when the battery is charged.

Upon the sale of the vehicle, the Battery Log Form should be removed from the binder and placed in the vehicle file for future reference.




NOTE: If the battery voltage drops below 11.65 V for three days or more the battery must be replaced before delivery to the customer.




Battery Maintenance Flowchart