12 v battery Replacement and some questions

Good Afternoon

My 12v battery died completely while I was on vacation, so its been sitting completely dead for a period of 3-10 days.

I have some specific questions with regards to its replacement and was hoping I could get some answers as I was unable to find them via digging around.

1. I read that once I get a jump start I need to get to a dealer ASAP to have it replaced or it will be dead again the moment the car stops. Is this true ? I left my car at my parents house which is unfortunately out in the boonies, so I am looking at a bit of a drive and it'd be great if I could stop on my way. Also, what happens when I come to an intersection where the engine shuts off ? Does that count as such a stop ? If so, how can I drive it to where I need it to get to ?

2. I understand that the dealer provided and Optima batteries are the 2 main choices, but what about any of the other ones, for example like the ones found here List: Search for 'battery - automotive' | O'Reilly Auto Parts ?
Any feedback would be appreciated.

3. I will also be performing some more maintenance, would like to replace a belt and do a few other things. There was a button somewhere that disables the automatic functions so that the engine / fans don't start, I forgot where that button is and can't find the manual, can someone please tell me how or where to disable the auto / hybrid functions for maintenance ?


Thanks

 

OK, got it, my dealer is actually selling the Exide batteries, I was kinda hoping to get this going today, but, will just have to wait til tomorrow.

With regards to the belt, obviously the car will be powered off, but, even then the fan can auto start, and I am in California, sometimes it gets real hot here, hot enough for it to start up, I have seen it do so plenty of times.

There was a way to disable the fan (these sort of automatic functions) and prevent exactly that from happening, but its a 2008 car and I simply havent had a need to perform any thing other then standard oil / filter / tire replacements on it until this time. I forgot where or what it said about this in one of the manuals, and I have lost the manuals since then but I distinctly remember reading something about this. And now I am unable to locate the info again. I do remember there is some sort of a button somewhere for this or a sequence of buttons ?

 

O yea, I forgot about that

One more question, since my car is completely dead its a bit of a pita replacing the battery with the hatch closed. Anyway to open it without power ? I took down the seats and got the old one out from the inside but it sure would be nice if I could open that hatch for when I get the new one tomorrow, the sun and closed windows (again no power) are a little harsh.

Thanks

 

Thanks a lot, I did search on google and youtube, maybe was using wrong terms or something, not sure, but all the results I got didn't provide me what I was looking for, anyways, figured I would get better feedback here with regards to various details.