Sorry I meant to post my previous message under the E70 forum:

First of all I want to thank X5 Meister and Penguin for their very informative battery posts! Based on their writes up I went ahead and purchased the CTEK 3300 from Amazon.com $54.99 plus Free S/H.

Ever since my last years debacle with the X5 battery crapping out on me, I've had the ever concern on looking at getting a battery tender. The dealer ended up changing out the old battery under warratanty but told us the reason it died was because of the "Frequent Short Trips" error message.

Here's the kicker! I just got the CTEK 3300 2 days ago, I went out today to give it a whirl. So I go to move the X5 closer to an electrical outlet in the garage. AND THERE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WITH THE NEW BATTERY, I GET THE DREADED ERROR MESSAGE "HIGH BATTERY DRAIN." How crazy is that!!

One question for you guys that own a CTEK 3300...For my 08 X5 should I be using the car function or snow flake/AGM function? I appreciate the help!

:thumbup:Happy to help. Nice job getting the CTEK for $55. They dropped the price not that long ago, from the regular price of around $66. It likely won't stay that low for long so whoever needs one should get it while they can. Update: now it's just $52.13

Technically CTEK recommends using the snowflake when outside temp is 41 degrees F or below. In addition it is also the recommended setting for AGM batteries. As I don't have an AGM battery, I don't use that setting. If you do (and my guess is that you do) then I'd use it. It's actually the voltage BMW recommends to use anyway.

Yes, I would use the snowflake/AGM. At least on my 2010, it often gets the charging voltage as high as 15.0 volts, so the higher AGM charging voltage is most appropriate (the US X5 comes from the factory with an AGM battery).

This may be a tiny bit OT but I am really surprised at how often "too many short trips" or "opening doors too often" is a service excuse. I guess as long as all is fixed under warranty I don't have too much issue with it (even if I do live 2 hours each way from my dealership) but I suspect I'd have a different attitude if I received one of those reasons for not covering something on the vehicle - especially during the service and warranty period. Doesn't it seem reasonable that if BMW wants to use these excuses they should be having buyers/lessees sign some document/disclaimer agreeing to certain "driver profile" terms, outlining the vehicle's susceptibility to electrical problems for excessive short trips, etc. (basically anything and everything they can blame the owner/lessee for) prior to ordering or committing to the vehicles?

Are any of the cigarette lighter sockets in the X5 hot 24/7 ? I'd like to use a cigar lighter adapter, but they require an "always hot" socket.
'09 X5 Diesel. Thanks.

Nope.

reviving an old thread and since I've never used a battery tender and youtube is of no help:

- I only park it outside - do these battery tenders need to be plugged into a wall socket or are they "rechargeable" devices? I assume socket because they are used for 8+ hours at a time.
- do they fit under the hood with the hood closed? Seems the front is where you hook it up despite the battery being in the rear?
- do they need to be completely removed if you're going to start the car?
- I only drive it maybe 2-3 times a week and for short distances - sometimes it cranks a little longer than it used to - do you think a battery tender will solve this - especially because the winter is coming?

GL, mD

Just FYI-

I bought a ctek 7002 in 2011. Primarily for the P car which can sit for weeks in the winter. Hardwired leads to the battery, and a small connector can be accessed under the wipers/hood.

Other cars are driven weekly/daily so no needs.

A