Continental GT batteries (US) redux
 

I have been hunting and hunting (haven't taken delivery of my new '05 GT yet, had the headliner repaired at dealer) and can't find a good online source for batteries. Living in Chicago, I know I need strong batteries and in my life, batteries always die, so for once I want to change out the batteries as soon as I get the car (providence of old ones, at 60k miles, unknown). I'm probably just going to have the shop that installs my Ben Hur change out the batteries for me at the same time, so I'd like to just drop-ship them there.

I found only one good choice so far: for the aux, below. What about the main? Odyssey doesn't appear to carry the main battery.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.6sp...c91bd76e5c.png

I've seen these batteries, but they appear to be UK/EU available only:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.6sp...599b69af20.png


Where are the best, and compatible, batteries available? Can I buy them online?

When I have the batteries changed out, do I want a charger on the system under the hood, or does that not matter?

I'd suggest getting a maintenance charger, especially if you don't daily drive it (you may not drive it at all in the winter in Chicago). These cars are very sensitive to battery issues. You may want to get the cetek charger everyone likes at around $75 or so and a cigarette lighter attachment to hook up to the 12v jack in the trunk. Superconvenient.

I have Bosch batteries in mine. I didn't buy them as they were in the car on purchase and less than one year old. I have different ones than listed above.

On the main side, I have the S6 AGM; and on the starter side I have the S5. Bosch batteries are available in the States and sold at a couple of stores, one of which is Pep Boys.

Also, my car is always on a tender. The only time it is not is when it is running or out away from home. I use a C-Tek 7002. I have leads hooked up directly to the main battery with a pigtail that exits/stores in the rear plastic chassis cover.

Here are a couple pics:


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.6sp...8a661afcc2.jpg
S6; group 49


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.6sp...88370e20a3.jpg
S5; group 47


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.6sp...b042f8e95c.jpg
This is the pigtail that exits from the rear belly pan to make/break quick connections to the C-Tek 7002. The pigtail just stows in the belly pan when unplugged.

When I lived in Chicago I bought my parts from Lemay Auto on Lincoln Avenue. Tell them you want an AGM battery for the left side. They will look it up, you'll have your battery, no problem. There isn't alot of difference between batteries. [Unless you want to put a tractor battery in which are built better, not suggesting this].

Keeping a battery tender on the batteries is Tip Top advice.

You can get these batteries from a VW dealer - same ones used in the Phaeton.

Thanks for the answers. It looks like Interstate is in my future.

While I was researching this, I found the odd fact that this car has an explosive charge on the right-side battery terminal that will go off to isolate the battery if the air bag goes off. Jeez, I've never heard of such a thing before.