If your MINI does not have an IBS module, lucky you, just replace the battery, and get back to motoring…no registration of the battery is necessary. This is especially important for AGM batteries, as they are more susceptible to damage from over-charging…which could happen if the car does not know about a new battery, and continues to charge thinking it’s an older battery. Registering a new battery tells your MINI it has a new battery, erases the old charging memory, and recalibrates electrical components and sensors for use with the new battery. ![]() I’ve also read that non-essential systems can be shutdown or de-prioritized for power usage as a battery ages (I’m not sure on the validity of that one, but I’ve read it in multiple places). ![]() For example, as a battery ages, and requires more power to recharge, your MINI will provide more electrical power to recharge the battery. The IBS will tailor charging to the age, output, etc. If you’ve never heard of this, you’re probably having the same reaction I didn’t initially…WTF?!? But as I read more about it, I started to understand… If your MINI has an IBS module, the new battery will need to be registered to the car once installed. Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) on Negative Terminal The IBS module is located on the terminal end of the negative battery cable. Once you sort out the battery, you need to determine if your MINI is equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS). Intelligent Battery Sensor & Battery Registration There are plenty of AGM battery options out there which fit the Gen2 MINI, and most can be had in the $160-$200 range. For example, if you live in the upper Midwest, and get harsh winters, you won’t be disappointed getting a battery that provides more cold cranking amps (CCA). The specs of the new battery should meet or exceed the values you noted above of the OEM battery. Once you have the type and specs your MINI battery, you can find a replacement battery. RC (reserve capacity): The length of time a battery can deliver 25 amps, before it’s voltage drops below 10.5 V.CCA (cold cranking amperes): The amount of current a battery can provide at -18º C.CA (cranking amperes): The amount of current a battery can provide at 0º C.Ah (ampere-hours): The energy storage capacity of the battery. ![]() Group Size: H6/Group 48 is OEM size (at least on my 2013 Clubman).But before buying a replacement battery, you want to verify the type and the specs of the OEM battery in your MINI. Most Gen2 MINIs seem to have come from the factory with absorbed glass mat (AGM) type batteries, instead of the traditional lead-acid type batteries. So here is a write-up of what I learned while replacing the battery in my MINI, so hopefully it helps some of you down the road. Depending on the options a Gen2 MINI is equipped with, replacing the battery can be a bit more involved. What I initially thought would be a straight forward battery replacement, quickly became a bit muddled. After 6 1/2 years and just over 87,000 miles, the original battery in my 2013 MINI Cooper S Clubman finally bit the dust.
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