Battery for '02 Celica?

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Hiya folks! I'm in the market for a new battery for my '02 Toyota Celica. The 2 most important stats to look for in a battery, from what I understand, is the CCA and RC. What I don't know is. . . what is the standard number for those (CCA & RC)? I don't know if I should get one with a 640 or 550 CCA, and is 90 mins of RC decent? I live in Michigan so winters can get a bit nippy so I need some input as to what number of CCA and/or RC I need to look at. Thanks in advance.
 
your OM should give you the battery specs. Start with that. Beyond that, try to go the highest you can. Generally energy (RC) and power (CCA) are inversely proportional. But they all fall within a fairly narrow window. If your car doesnt have a lot of electric loads, and automatically turns off the headlights and interior lights so you cannot easily run it down, Id probably look more for CCA than RC.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
your OM should give you the battery specs. Start with that. Beyond that, try to go the highest you can. Generally energy (RC) and power (CCA) are inversely proportional. But they all fall within a fairly narrow window. If your car doesnt have a lot of electric loads, and automatically turns off the headlights and interior lights so you cannot easily run it down, Id probably look more for CCA than RC.
Right on.
 
Buy the one with the most CCA and the longest "full replacement" warranty. The reserve time is nice but the CCA you will need on a daily basis when it gets cold.
 
+1 on what JHZR2 commented on. The CCA and RC differ among the various battery sizes. Check the size that's in your car ( most likely a Group 24/24F ). You might want to check out the November 2011 issie of Consumer Reports who does a very good job of testing batteries. If your size is 24/24F, the top rated batteries were the Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24, DieHard Gold 50523, and the EverStart Maxx-24S. ( WalMart ) Beware of the EverStart Maxx however, they apparently only warranty their batteries now for just 36 months instead of 36/100 ( 100 prorated ) like the Die Hard is. The Interstate is warranteed for 36/85 months.
 
Originally Posted By: CMMeadAM
+1 on what JHZR2 commented on. The CCA and RC differ among the various battery sizes. Check the size that's in your car ( most likely a Group 24/24F ). You might want to check out the November 2011 issie of Consumer Reports who does a very good job of testing batteries. If your size is 24/24F, the top rated batteries were the Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24, DieHard Gold 50523, and the EverStart Maxx-24S. ( WalMart ) Beware of the EverStart Maxx however, they apparently only warranty their batteries now for just 36 months instead of 36/100 ( 100 prorated ) like the Die Hard is. The Interstate is warranteed for 36/85 months.
Thanks much on the replies. I was looking at the interstate MTP and Megatron II, also at the Die hard Gold. Thanks again everyone.
 
I will differ. Get the one equal to your current (or what is in owners manual if not original) or slightly larger in CCA. Don't shoot for the largest CCA. Given the same physical size, the battery with the largest CCA is physically weaker inside than the one with less CCA. More CCA = more surface area needed = weaker/thinner plates. Now a physically larger battery is another story. Look for a battery made by Johnson Controls. Interstate always, Walmart maybe. I like the free replacement part of the warranty and I discount the prorated. Having suggested the proper CCA to look for does not mean you can find it. For example the Walmart MAXX battery probably has one CCA for each group size battery. I wanted a group 31 Interstate battery @ 750 CCA. They make it, but no distributor carried it. I had to take a 950 instead. In the winter synthetic oil will allow your car to turn over much faster than dino. I would look at the Walmart MAXX first. If its a JCI made battery that is what I would get. Thats 3500 stores coast to coast open 7 days a week to get a warranty replacement. But I do hate to shop at Walmart given their treatment of their employees.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I would look at the Walmart MAXX first. If its a JCI made battery that is what I would get. Thats 3500 stores coast to coast open 7 days a week to get a warranty replacement.
I prefer Interstate batteries simply because I have never needed a warranty replacement. I'd rethink my priorities if I purchased anything based on warranty availably rather than reliability.
 
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Donald
I would look at the Walmart MAXX first. If its a JCI made battery that is what I would get. Thats 3500 stores coast to coast open 7 days a week to get a warranty replacement.
I prefer Interstate batteries simply because I have never needed a warranty replacement. I'd rethink my priorities if I purchased anything based on warranty availably rather than reliability.
I may have not been 100% clear. My suggestion was to go for the MAXX if it was a JCI battery. Given that the MAXX is Walmart's top end and if its made by JCI like Interstate are, then I would be confident it would be a good battery. Not that Walmart could not have a special quality battery made just for them if they wanted. I assume JCI makes several different qualities of batteries and both the MAXX and Interstate are the upper end of what JCI makes that is flooded cell construction.
 
I called around here locally for the interstate MTP and not very many carry them and when they do it cost over $120. My operators manual is of no help as to telling me what group of battery it is, however, at interstatebattery.com and sears.com after selecting my specific vehicle, it shows batteries that are (I'm assuming) group 35. the battery models are MTP 35 and MT-35, etc. I'm looking at the 640 CCA Die Hard Gold, based on customer reviews, level of CCA, price and warranty (36 months/100 months). I would love to try out Interstate but it's just over my price range. (The Die-Hard gold has same CCA as MTP-35 but cost around $104.00 rather than $120+).
 
Motorcraft BXT-35 is only $93.xx at my local Ford dealer. It's made by Johnson Controls, has 3 years free replacement and 100 months pro-rate.
 
Originally Posted By: Eosyn
I called around here locally for the interstate MTP and not very many carry them and when they do it cost over $120. My operators manual is of no help as to telling me what group of battery it is, however, at interstatebattery.com and sears.com after selecting my specific vehicle, it shows batteries that are (I'm assuming) group 35. the battery models are MTP 35 and MT-35, etc. I'm looking at the 640 CCA Die Hard Gold, based on customer reviews, level of CCA, price and warranty (36 months/100 months). I would love to try out Interstate but it's just over my price range. (The Die-Hard gold has same CCA as MTP-35 but cost around $104.00 rather than $120+).
Your current battery does not have the group size marked?
 
Maybe the OP already knows this, but if the battery has cell caps and the edges of the cell caps are cut at 45 degrees vs rounded or square its a battery made by JCI no matter what actual brand it is. With no cell caps I am not sure how to tell. I sure hope the Chinese do not spot that and begin making Chinese batteries that look like JCI.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Maybe the OP already knows this, but if the battery has cell caps and the edges of the cell caps are cut at 45 degrees vs rounded or square its a battery made by JCI no matter what actual brand it is. With no cell caps I am not sure how to tell. I sure hope the Chinese do not spot that and begin making Chinese batteries that look like JCI.
I have not seen a Chinese car battery in a common group size. Thanks for letting me know they exist!
 
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