05 Corolla Battery

[sunfire]

I am quickly approaching 4 years on my original battery in my 05 Corolla. Its getting much colder going into December. I want to be more proactive with maintenance because I can't stand a breaking down in the winter.

I do a lot of short 5 mile trips between work. I cleaned the terminals a while back. Recently checked it and there is no sign of leakage or corrosion around the terminals. I know I'm due for a new battery soon. Is there anyway for me to test for how much life is left in my battery? Or for imminent failure? Can I test with a voltmeter? I want to avoid buying a new alternator due to a failing battery.

Also I'd like to hear some suggestions on quality batteries other than Optima and oversized batteries that fit my car.

 

[JustinH]

You can take it to a parts store and let them load test the battery.

But sometimes that will kill a battery, so be prepared to buy one.

If it makes you feel better, check walmart, and just go buy one. That should be a sub 50 dollar battery.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
You can take it to a parts store and let them load test the battery.

But sometimes that will kill a battery, so be prepared to buy one.

If it makes you feel better, check walmart, and just go buy one. That should be a sub 50 dollar battery.


+1

 

[EricF]

since johnson controls took over Optima,the quality of the Optima has gone down, IMHO.
they were known to go like 10yrs, now you're lucky to get 3.
not worthit for the money, and the price jumped like $50 too.

 

[sunfire]

I found a few youtube videos on testing the battery and alternator using a multimeter. I guess I should have went to youtube before starting this thread.

But I'd still like to hear your suggestions on a good aftermarket battery.

 

[JHZR2]

Is it a panasonic? Id leave it for at least another year, provided youve never run it down, etc.

 

[VK56VD]

Make sure water is covering all of the plates and add ionized water if it's low. Most likely your battery still has a lot of life left if you don't run it down with powering headlights, interior lights, radio and etc. with the engine off.

 

[hate2work]

The JC batteries Toyota uses actually go for quite a while. I've had some go 10 years or so before I had to replace them. For about $85 you can get a Duralast from AZ that's made by JC that's got an eight year guarantee.

 

[pbm]

I wouldn't worry too much about a 4 year old battery in California. I'd wait a year or two more before I started to worry.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I wouldn't worry too much about a 4 year old battery in California. I'd wait a year or two more before I started to worry.


+1

 

[Whimsey]

I've always have had great service from factory Motorcraft batteries. I don't know who makes them but they've lasted usually at least 8 years in NJ. I bought a replacement Motorcraft battery for my '96 Contour and have had problems with it two years into it's service. It's an 84 month battery. This car now sits for 3 winter months in a heated garage with a trickle charger connnected to it. It's been ok so far. I'm looking to replace the 8 year old factory battery in my F150. It starts great but I think I'm approaching it's end of life and I don't want to get stuck with a dead battery. Any suggestions?

Whimsey

 

[brianl703]

Motocraft batteries, both factory and replacement, are made by Johnson Controls.

Perhaps the replacement had been sitting on a shelf for too long and that's why you had problems with it. Some places are not very good about rotating their battery stock, so you see things like 1-year-old batteries on the shelf.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
Motocraft batteries, both factory and replacement, are made by Johnson Controls.

Perhaps the replacement had been sitting on a shelf for too long and that's why you had problems with it. Some places are not very good about rotating their battery stock, so you see things like 1-year-old batteries on the shelf.


It came from the dealer, that probably explains it. Thanks!

Whimsey

 

[eljefino]

If the corolla's a stick shift you might be able to roll start it.

This has gotten more complicated with security chips in keys, but if you *try* and get no reaction from the starter, and pop the clutch in the same time frame, it might work.

Carry jumper cables. The world is still friendly. Remember old batteries go to some third world country where some poor schlep inhales lead fumes recycling the buggers.

 

[KrisZ]

4 years in California's climate is nothing. Your battery dion't have to endure sub freezing starts for 4-5 months out of the year, it is not subject to wild temp. swings that we have in Canada, so 4 years is nothing and I would not worry about it. Chances are, whatever you will replace the original with, will be of lesser quality.

My FIL's 2000 Echo is still on the original battery, that's almost 10 years, my 2006 Mazda is showing no signs of weak battery eaither, so relax, don't throw money at something that isn't broken and is probably far from being broken.

Big 1+ on carrying the jumper cables.