Batteries, Batteries, Batteries?? What is the BEST choice?

[M1Accord]

I got my 51R from Costco for $120. Walmart wants $160 and Project Farm suspects they are both the same with just different label.

My 151R Duralast Gold last 7 years and still work so I didn’t turn it in for core. I expects this Kirkland battery to last 5+ years as my group 24 in the Accord is still strong after 5 years and I drive the cars very infrequently and short trips.

Good batteries are still there. It is the prices that are ridiculous.

 

[goixiz999]

I've had success with Costco batteries. Fantastic no questions asked warranty too.

Their batteries now are interstate and returns are prorated not free replacement

 

[Ranger83]

We’ve run into a problem with our 2001 4Runner.

We installed an Odyssey AGM a year ago. But in frequent cold starts and short trips it’s run down and needed a jump. My son has an inexpensive Lithium jump pack that will work 2-3 times per charge.

According to the forums, peak charging voltage is 14.2 and AGM needs 14.6. Going to put a lead acid battery in and see how that works. No big as three of our cars have same battery size.

An update. We replaced the expensive AGM with a garden variety WalMart battery and it worked the rest of the winter.

So if you have a Gen 3 4Runner, save your money.

 

[rcs]

Per this forum and experts I put a Dekka battery in my Honda Pilot and love it!

 

[ripcord]

In my climate, the bottom and next to bottom rung Walmart batteries last several years and are the best value, though none of my rigs have auto start or battery coding requirements.

Putting them on the charger whenever doing any maintainence seems to help a lot, BTW.

 

[Lyman]

I buy a lot of batteries. I put them in our company's work trucks. I have been buying the O'Reilly Super Start Economy batteries and getting around 6 years out of them. They are under $150 out the door and, in my opinion, can't be beat. I'm not even sure who makes them.

 

[ripcord]

I buy a lot of batteries. I put them in our company's work trucks. I have been buying the O'Reilly Super Start Economy batteries and getting around 6 years out of them. They are under $150 out the door and, in my opinion, can't be beat. I'm not even sure who makes them.

It's probably region dependant just like Walmart and changes over time.

 

[Hogan773]

COSTCO's Interstate batteries no longer have the 3 year no-cost replacement warranty. As of 7-11-23, their batteries are pro-rated starting on the date of purchase. Policy was likely amended to curtail too many individuals swapping out batteries at 35 months after purchase.

BITOG Interstate Battery Discussion
See the last paragraph in their latest warranty document from their website.
View attachment 197644

 

[Mainia]

Panasonic lead acid lasted 9 years in Minnesota winters on my wife's 2014 Rav 4. I think I could of gotten another year out of it.

 

[ripcord]

Panasonic lead acid lasted 9 years in Minnesota winters on my wife's 2014 Rav 4. I think I could of gotten another year out of it.

Same experience here with an OEM Panasonic. Almost 10 years. Anybody know where to source these in the US?

 

[Nukeman7]

Same experience here with an OEM Panasonic. Almost 10 years. Anybody know where to source these in the US?

I searched for this battery a few years ago for the same reason. The OEM Panasonic battery in my daughter's 2001 Toyota Echo lasted 9 years before I swapped it into a Nissan I seldom drive. The Panasonic battery did not stop cranking the Nissan until year 11. It tested at 120 CCA when I turned it in as a core for a new battery in 2012.

After extensive online research for another Panasonic flooded battery, I concluded that they were not available in the U.S. You would have to purchase it through Panasonic in Japan and figure out how to get it through U.S. Customs as hazardous material. If do-able, it would likely cost over $500 to procure.

 

[kschachn]

I searched for this battery a few years ago for the same reason. The OEM Panasonic battery in my daughter's 2001 Toyota Echo lasted 9 years before I swapped it into a Nissan I seldom drive. The Panasonic battery did not stop cranking the Nissan until year 11. It tested at 120 CCA when I turned it in as a core for a new battery in 2012.

After extensive online research for another Panasonic flooded battery, I concluded that they were not available in the U.S. You would have to purchase it through Panasonic in Japan and figure out how to get it through U.S. Customs as hazardous material. If do-able, it would likely cost over $500 to procure.

Yep I got about 11 years out of the Panasonic battery in my ECHO as well. But as you note, they are not available here in the US.

 

[Patman]

I’m not sure who makes the OEM battery in my 2016 Civic but it’s at the 9 year mark now and shows no signs of struggling even on a -15C cold start. Part of me wants to keep going and see just how far it will go and another part of me thinks that I should replace it very soon just to be safe. I’m in the same boat with my 2018 Corvette as well, still rockin the original battery.

 

[D1dad]

Per this forum and experts I put a Dekka battery in my Honda Pilot and love it!

As did I. My Nissans came with efb batteries that don’t like being discharged (what battery does). My wife’s 24 was replaced by Nissan with an agm after the efb failed in a few months. My deka (flooded) battery in my 21 is charged to a higher percent at all times than her 24 with an agm. Granted hers has a bigger nav screen and wireless phone charger, but still. I can also hook my Pulsetech up to each car and the flooded battery is charged in an hour, while the agm takes all day.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Same experience here with an OEM Panasonic. Almost 10 years. Anybody know where to source these in the US?

After extensive online research for another Panasonic flooded battery, I concluded that they were not available in the U.S. You would have to purchase it through Panasonic in Japan and figure out how to get it through U.S. Customs as hazardous material. If do-able, it would likely cost over $500 to procure.

This was the conclusion of my search as well. The OEM Panasonic in my (built in 04) Scion tC Lasted for 10 years and I could not fidn a supplier.

I thought the dealer would have them for sale but no luck. Best bet is getting it out of a salvaged vehicle but then the battery could be damaged or going up to somnone with a new Japanese built vehicle and giving them an offer they couldn't refuse.

 

[Wheel366]

I just purchased another Odyssey; this time a group 35 for my Impreza. With the 20% discount from Napa, after tax and when I get my core back, it will be ~$90 more than the EverStart Platinum. Time will tell if it was worth it or not. Once it gets delivered, I'll check SOH and SOC along with manufacture date. Then, I'll pop on my CTEK before I install it.

 

[Foreman04]

No it wasnt. The alternator was putting out 14.8V to charge it. Which in turn means the battery was below nominal voltage.


The Die Hard AGMs can be very slow movers at AAP. If you do go that route you want one as new as possible and reject anything more than 1-2months old.

Ahhhhh.. the days of the old, Sears original DieHard Batteries, among the best I’ve ever purchased.
Never had an issue with AC DELCO either...even in the newer GM vehicles I’ve owned. Many say Interstate Batteries are not as good as they use to be, or is that only the ones from Costco?
In any case, My 2018 Chevy Colorado is almost 5.5 years old, and still has the original AC DELCO Battery. I need to change it out before the real cold weather sets in, as I don’t want to be getting stranded somewhere.

I’m considering an AGM. (Group 48 required for my truck)
I have read some positive reviews on the following AGM Batteries, which have various price points.

Napa Premium Legend AGM-Battery 36 Months Free Replacement BCI No. 48 760 CCA $249

AC DELCO AGM silver, calcium Gold 48AGM 36 Month Warranty $213

Interstate AGM 760 CCA $169.99

X2 Power Premium (Batteries Plus) Premium AGM 775 CCA $349.99

Please share your thought and/or experience with any of the above. Any feedback is much appreciate.

Thank you!

Chose to go the AAP route because I picked up a battery for my daughter who lives out of state and she needs to be able to go into any AAP for any issues in the future with the battery. I was able to get a battery only two months old plus had them test it before installing. Pretty much the best I could do and as I said, she needs to be able to walk into any AAP if there’s an issue.

 

[iCurious]

Everstart or Interstate for me.