Cool! I am glad that link helped you. For the record, it was something I came upon one day, I did not write those instructions. But I figure the Cayenne/Touareg is so closely related...

I will keep my comments to myself on your neighbor

 

I have tried numerous forums to see if anyone knows the cause of this noise. Upon starting my '04 Cayenne, there is a thump from the front of the battery box in the luggage compartment. You can actually feel the thump also if you put your hand on the front of the box in the direction of the rear seat (front of car). Without removing the box, can anyone tell me the cause of this noise or know what needs to be done to eliminate the thump...it drives me nuts!
Thanks,
Roy

 

My question would be, whats the difference in warranty period between the aftermark battery you purchased and the OEM? Thats what would make me sold on between the two. Because most OEMs have a 1-time battery swap if it were to cause of the problem again. Just my .2.

 

Dealer recommends Interstate at $225.

This is one I will NOT do myself!

The electronics on these are so expensive that there's no way I'm going to be saving pennies while spending dollars.

Recently, one of the computers (in the PCM NAV area to restore radio pre-sets) was more than $1700 without labor! And the instrument cluster (to restore my turn signal sounds--I hate driving down the road wiht them on) was almost $3,800 JUST FOR THE PART not including labor.

I'd hate to think of the possible damage by futzing up a battery swap. Let the mechanic do it.

 

For anyone who has not done this yet, you don't need to remove the four black upper bolts holding the seat to the tilting frame on a Cayenne. Just remove the two lower silver bolts under the plastic cover panels on the floor in front of the seat, and then tilt the entire seat back (the back seat will need to be up). This will allow the cover over the battery to be removed after loosening the four clips holding it down. Remember to reconnect the battery hydrogen gas expansion overflow tube securely on both the front of the battery and the external exhaust port through the bottom of the floorpan.

BTW, the 10 mm 12-point serrated bit (the correct name - no one lists it as a triple square bit) available from NAPA requires a 1/2-inch socket wrench. Don't plan on using an adapter for a smaller 3/8-inch or 1/4-inch socket wrench - you're going to need every foot-pound of torque possible to break the lock-tight adhesive securing the bolts (especially the outside/left-most bolt).

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ADEQUATELY RETIGHTEN ANY SEAT BOLTS REMOVED. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT, THESE ARE WHAT ARE KEEPING THE SEAT FROM LAUNCHING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE SEATBELTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP THE MASS OF BOTH YOU AND THE SEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

 

Interesting enough,,, why in da hell did they put the battery under the driver's side seat?

Anyways,,, I'll explore whether there is a replacement OPTIMA battery for Cayenne or not.
Or please share if you happen to know the closest model of OPTIMA battery can be used for Cayenne.

 

Well said, Joe_Blow, on the bolts.

My only other two cents is: incredibly, the Cayenne User's Manual in the glove box has a good step-by-step for this. As other have said, it's very simple, with one specialized "triple square" bit that you'll end up using for other stuff.

Just be sure to very securely fasten the cables to the posts. I learned this the hard way. Battery seemed really, really dead one day, so I picked up another, pulled back the seat, and the cable was dangling. Reconnected and all was well.

After reading extensively about the aftermarkets all seem to come from one place, I went with AutoZone Duralast Gold "H8-DLG", something like $140. I think Cold Cranking Amps is 950. 3-year free replacement, then pro-rated 5 year warranty thereafter.

 

All,

You can buy a replacement battery from Car Quest that will fit the Cayenne exactly. Check carquest.com for store locations. The cost is around $130.

Disclaimer: I have no relationship to the company.