I bough a new Nissan Tiida last February. Apart from it guzzling gasoline, i have been extremely happy with it up until this weekend. On Saturday it refused to start. The battery was dead. I got it jump started. I phone the dealership in Bangkok and they said the battery could possibly be replaced under warranty. The car was not yet 10months old. They suggested that I take it into a Nissan garage in Chiangmai. There I was informed that the battery would not hold a charge and that I would need a new one. They also pointed out that the battery was delivered in 2006, two years before I bought the car.

As I had bought the car in Bangkok, they could not replace it under warranty, but could sell me a new battery for 2,900thb. I politely declined their offer and bought one for 1,400thb from a tyre and battery outlet.

This morning I was informed by the garage in Bangkok, that as my car had over 20,000 km on the clock, they would not be replacing the battery for me free of charge. They could give me one for 3,400thb.

Is there a way out for dealers on all warranties offered?

One Thai lady took to her car with a baseball bat or similar in front of TV cameras to get some action on her car warranty. Hope it doe's not come to that for you.

Maybe this is beside the point, but batteries don't last long, max 3-4 years, in HOT climates and even shorter if they are located in the engine room wheer it ie even hotter.

1,400 baht is cheap for a new battery. Enjoy your new car.

Robert

One Thai lady took to her car with a baseball bat or similar in front of TV cameras to get some action on her car warranty. Hope it doe's not come to that for you.

Maybe this is beside the point, but batteries don't last long, max 3-4 years, in HOT climates and even shorter if they are located in the engine room wheer it ie even hotter.

1,400 baht is cheap for a new battery. Enjoy your new car.

Robert

One Thai lady took to her car with a baseball bat or similar in front of TV cameras to get some action on her car warranty. Hope it doe's not come to that for you.

Back at home in cold Farangistan they always told me the batteries don't hold long because of the cold weather.

I once sat in the airplane with the Factory manager of one big brand (can't recall the name) and he told me they all produce crap at the moment. Batteries are cheapo products.

From: http://www.batteryfaq.org/

14.9. MYTH: Car batteries last longer in cold climates than in hot ones.

True! Car batteries last an average of two thirds as long in hot climates as cold ones. Heat kills car batteries, especially sealed Maintenance Free (Ca/Ca) batteries, and cold reduces the battery's starting capacity. (Please see Section 11.1 for more information on increasing battery life.)

Most batteries carry a manufacturers warranty for varying time periods , some have a declining % value towards a replacement should yours fail , there is a plastic label on the top of the battery with removable numbers showing the date the battery was put into operation , always check this on purchase , even on your NEW VEHICLE .

There is a correct procedure for putting a battery into operating condition prior to use , this is quite often overlooked or ignored , failure to comply with this proceedure can drasticaly shorten the life of a battery

Should the operable date of your battery not tally with the date of purchase of your NEW VEHICLE , request that they replace it with a NEW battery , it is your right .