Issues following flat battery

I'd appreciate any advice on the following:

I suspect a failing battery on my 2007 TD4 HSE and am considering replacing it with a new one. I've heard all sorts of paranoia regarding this, is anyone able to provide some straightforward advice to counter such fears as:

1. You need to replace the battery with an identical model otherwise the car's computer will not recognise it?
2. You need to maintain power to the vehicle to avoid loosing all sorts of vehicle/computer stored memory?
3. After fitting the new battery yourself you'll probably need to visit a dealer to have the car re-programmed?

I have some technical knowledge but to be honest was much happier with older techniques such as changing points and distributor caps in preference to dealing with modern auto-electrics. Certainly if bullet point 3 is correct it may be worth just going straight to the dealer and paying their inflated prices?

Also:

Had to get the AA out to start my FL2 (2007) TD4 HSE yesterday after finding the battery had gone flat. Found out today that the electric windows and sunroof needed resetting. followed the instructions in the manual, windows went OK but the sunroof didn't do anything? Book says that after holding switch down for 20 seconds the sunroof should open fully and then close again - it didn't. Any ideas?

Many thanks

Heys!

1. You do need to replace the battery with an 'identical spec' one. The specification of your battery will be listed ontop of it on the label. Pay specific attention to its CCA (cold cranking amps) rating and its aH (amp hour) rating. You also need to take note if the battery is flooded or AGM. AGM is only fitted to Stop/Start (Eco) Spec Vehicles.

2. Bull****! Used to be true for older vehicles when you had radio codes, plip codes held in voltatile memory and such things (you'll probably have to press your unlock button 6-12 times to resync it though after battery has been disconnected).

3. Vehicles with Stop/Start or 10MY (Smart Charge) require the battery recalibrating when a new one is fitted. This is to enable the BMS (battery monitoring system) to maintain the correct amount of volts/amps in the battery to enable the stop/start functionality. On the flip side they will self calibrate overtime reguardless.









Points and Distributors are Type of Magic.