You can't buy OE batteries later though or at least not in all cases. A Motorcraft or Honda or Jeep battery from a dealer will usually just be a re-labeled battery from one of the big battery manufacturers, i.e. the same battery that can be bought at Autozone, Walmart, Interstate, etc.Actually, I've had good luck with OE batteries on new vehicles.
Yeah, I know.You can't buy OE batteries later though or at least not in all cases. A Motorcraft or Honda or Jeep battery from a dealer will usually just be a re-labeled battery from one of the big battery manufacturers, i.e. the same battery that can be bought at Autozone, Walmart, Interstate, etc.
I've had good luck with the batteries that come with new vehicles as well. But often with imported cars, the replacments sold at the car dealer is not the same manufacturer as came with the car originally. They will sell an OEM labeled battery, but the North American importer is sourcing them from a domestic manufacturer. As a consumer, one needs to check and investigate, don't assume it will be exactly the same as what came with your car.Actually, I've had good luck with OE batteries on new vehicles.
Actually, we are recently learning many AGMs are being privatel labeled by Varta. The "made in Germany" is seen now on AC Delco AGMs, some Interstate AGMs and Walmart AGMs. Varta is also OEM for many German car makers, to include BMW.Any battery your going to get in the USA is likely Clarios, Exide or East Penn. The brand can actually vary by region - for example here all the batteries at Walmart are Clarios. In other parts of the country their East Penn.
The top tier brand I hear about OE batteries is Japanese mfg Panasonic. The issue with sourcing these batteries at least when I tried, was absolutely zero dealers carry this (they just have trustarts which are junk imo).I've had good luck with the batteries that come with new vehicles as well. But often with imported cars, the replacments sold at the car dealer is not the same manufacturer as came with the car originally. They will sell an OEM labeled battery, but the North American importer is sourcing them from a domestic manufacturer. As a consumer, one needs to check and investigate, don't assume it will be exactly the same as what came with your car.
The battery in my Japanese built Toyota is from GSYUASA and is made in Japan. Its been a very good battery.The top tier brand I hear about OE batteries is Japanese mfg Panasonic. The issue with sourcing these batteries at least when I tried, was absolutely zero dealers carry this (they just have trustarts which are junk imo).
Do the newer ones still have a sight glass and easily accessible water caps like they used to?The battery in my Japanese built Toyota is from GSYUASA and is made in Japan. Its been a very good battery.
No sight glass. Each cell has a screw in plug on top to add water.Do the newer ones still have a sight glass and easily accessible water caps like they used to?
Is there a way to tell, or are we saying all "made in Germany" are Varta? Clarios has a factory in Germany as well I am pretty sure - but I couldn't tell you what batteries they actually make there. AGM would be a good bet since I think thats pretty much standard on German cars now?Actually, we are recently learning many AGMs are being privatel labeled by Varta. The "made in Germany" is seen now on AC Delco AGMs, some Interstate AGMs and Walmart AGMs. Varta is also OEM for many German car makers, to include BMW.
I just put an Everstart AGM in my 2018 and it is way heavier than the stock battery.The "best" FLA battery is going to be the heaviest one, if a Penn Deka weighs 5Lbs more than the same size Interstate, it is a better battery.
Clarios owns Varta. I admit only guessing, but the case construction all appear identical. Varta also makes Bosch car batteries for sale in the EU.Is there a way to tell, or are we saying all "made in Germany" are Varta? Clarios has a factory in Germany as well I am pretty sure - but I couldn't tell you what batteries they actually make there. AGM would be a good bet since I think thats pretty much standard on German cars now?
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I just bought a "made in spain" group 24 battery from Walmart.. Yup it had the "JC" beginning for the serial number which is Johnson Controls which is Clarios. I think it's a very cool battery, has two handles that fold in from the middle! I've always heard good things about Varta..Clarios owns Varta. I admit only guessing, but the case construction all appear identical. Varta also makes Bosch car batteries for sale in the EU.
One clue also is both the Interstate AGM and Walmart AGM have the exact same type, size and style "made in Germany" sticker that is stuck on. So whomever is supplying them, is the same maker. My AC Delco AGM the "made in Germany" is printed into the AC Delco label itself. I have not confirmed, but told the most recent AC Delco AGM are now made in the USA again.
Yes, AGM seems pretty standard on most German makes. My 2018 BMW M550iX actually has two Varta/BMW labled AGM batteries. An H8 in the trunk and an H5 in the engine compartment. I think the H5 is used for the start/stop function.