Car Batteries in Canada - Costco, Motomaster, Wal Mart, Ac Delco

[Oldswagon]

One of my old cars, which is a seasonal fair weather driver, needs a new battery. The motormaster eliminator is 10.5 years old and went completely dead. I haven't shopped batteries in years and I see the prices have gone way up and warranties way down. My car needs a group 78 battery, although I like a 34/78 if I can find one for the dual posts.

Costco's battery is cheaper than Motomaster, Wal-Mart or Ac Delco and have a better warranty - 48 months, plus 100 months prorated. I have never used a Costco battery, as I don't live overly close to one. Looking for experience with Costco batteries, or any advice on what would be a good choice in the Canadian market.

Here are some I have looked at. I am not sure who manufactures which anymore and which are decent. One paper the Costco seems the best value overall, with the only drawback being the lack of top posts, which I can live without.

Kirkland - 48 months replacement, 100 months prorated

https://tires.costco.ca/Batteries/P...ive-Battery&BatteryType=Automotive&lang=en-ca

Motormaster - 3 year replacement warranty

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...battery-800-cca-0103478p.0103478.html?loc=plp

MotoMaster Eliminator AGM - $276!! 5 year replacement warranty

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...battery-750-cca-0107820p.0107820.html?loc=plp

Wal-Mart 3 year replacement and 5 years total prorated

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/everst...uto-battery-group-78-800-cca-na/6000195362487

AC Delco - 42 month Warranty - about $200 locally

https://smartpages.nexpart.com/smar...=2476&privateline=ACDELCO+PROFESSIONAL+CANADA

 

[marc1]

Looking for experience with Costco batteries, or any advice on what would be a good choice in the Canadian market.

Costco (Kirkland Signature) is always my first choice for a new battery in my daily driver cars. They are the best price, have a decent warranty (in my opinion) and that warranty is honoured across Canada in the event it fails on vacation for example. I have never had any issues with these replacement batteries in the subsequent life of the vehicle but one caveat to notify you on; the last Costco battery I bought was in 2013 and likely they are a different supplier today. That does not change my opinion at all and I would still go with Costco today if I needed a battery.

 

[2009Caraman]

U-Start batteries. Sold at Bumper to Bumper. Ive had great luck with the one in my minivan. Its lasted twice as long as my last kirkland.

http://goustart.com/en/#!

 

[LowMilesLesabre]

I purchased a Costco battery in 2020 and because of an issue with my alternator, one of the cells went bad at three years and Costco replaced it fully. In those three years, the cost of the same battery had gone up, but because of Costco‘s generous Return policy, I did not have to pay any difference in costs. Although the Canadian Tire five year warranty sounds tempting, I am still going to replace the battery in my Honda with a Costco as well. My experience with Canadian Tire’s customer service department, and return policies make me want to pull my hair out (if I had any hair that is) . Some Costco‘s carry more than one line of batteries so if you go with Costco, be sure to get the Kirkland Signature brand as this is the one among those that Costco sells that has the best warranty as @Oldswagon mentioned above.

 

[daves87rs]

Everstarts have been good to me. Plus plenty of Walmarts……

 

[dubber09]

I purchased a Costco battery in 2020 and because of an issue with my alternator, one of the cells went bad at three years and Costco replaced it fully. In those three years, the cost of the same battery had gone up, but because of Costco‘s generous Return policy, I did not have to pay any difference in costs. Although the Canadian Tire five year warranty sounds tempting, I am still going to replace the battery in my Honda with a Costco as well. My experience with Canadian Tire’s customer service department, and return policies make me want to pull my hair out (if I had any hair that is) . Some Costco‘s carry more than one line of batteries so if you go with Costco, be sure to get the Kirkland Signature brand as this is the one among those that Costco sells that has the best warranty as @Oldswagon mentioned above.

Somewhat similar thing happened to my buds 3 years old battery which we just replaced a week ago. Costco fully refunded with new price plus taxes which he instantly used to buy a replacement, which happened to carry full warranty with free replacement within next 4 years. So original purchase gave him at least 7 years of free replacement at this point.

 

[Lubener]

I would go for the Everstart Maxx. There's a fast turn over at W.M. ensuring you get a fresh battery and not one covered in dust which sat on the shelf for many months.

 

[CharBaby]

I have a dual post battery for the Firebird FORMULA in my signature which I also have a battery maintainer connected to the battery from under hood. By having a maintainer connected to the battery, the last battery I had in this Firebird lasted 20 years. And although it was still starting the engine fine when cold, it was giving me some slow start-ups when the engine was hot. It didn't cause the starter solenoid to click-click-click but it did belly ache upon start-up(sometimes) when the engine was hot. I figured that 20 years was long enough.

Anywaaaaaay!
I always try to buy a dual post battery(when possible) due to the side post nature of the GM batteries of that generation. And I alway try to buy a battery with the removal top caps so I can check & maintain the acid level as well. I currently have a DieHard RED dual post with removal top caps. This is not your size but it's perfect for my needs.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...L1*81533|L2*81608|L3*13646&selectedStore=5232

 

[ecotourist]

Costco batteries are fine. Had one in the past.

Replaced the battery on both my BMW and Honda with Canadian Tire AGM batteries. The Canadian Tire shop is a couple of blocks away and the closest Costco is 30 Km so convenience came into the picture.

My BMW ate a Canadian Tire MotoMaster Eliminator (non AGM) during the warranty period and I replaced it with a MotoMaster Eliminator AGM. The AGM happened to be on sale and I was offered a few cents price difference (for a normally more expensive battery).

The BMW had a defect that was discharging the battery regularly. My specialty shop replaced 'some part' and said they were surprised mine had gone so long (about 20 years) before needing the part replaced. Can't name the part as I passed the repair records on to the next owner.

 

[Oldswagon]

Thanks for the responses. I think I might give the Costco battery a shot, despite it not having the dual post setup. My only hesitation is that I am not overly close to Costco, so it will be inconvenient if I need to make a warranty claim.

Is it still Johnson controls that makes these batteries?

 

[f355spider]

Costco batteries are fine. Had one in the past.

Replaced the battery on both my BMW and Honda with Canadian Tire AGM batteries. The Canadian Tire shop is a couple of blocks away and the closest Costco is 30 Km so convenience came into the picture.

My BMW ate a Canadian Tire MotoMaster Eliminator (non AGM) during the warranty period and I replaced it with a MotoMaster Eliminator AGM. The AGM happened to be on sale and I was offered a few cents price difference (for a normally more expensive battery).

The BMW had a defect that was discharging the battery regularly. My specialty shop replaced 'some part' and said they were surprised mine had gone so long (about 20 years) before needing the part replaced. Can't name the part as I passed the repair records on to the next owner.

E39 BMWs are notorious for a failed final stage resistor in the HVAC system. When they fail, they cause the blower motor to activate on/off at a very low speed continously while the ignition is "off", until the battery is dead. If you daily drive the car, you may never notice, as it can take several days for the battery to wear down sufficiently to cause a "no start" situation. BMW updated the part several times between 1999 and around 2006, trying to improve longevity of the part. The final version/part number seems to be fine.

My 2001 had it replaced under warranty at the BMW Store (dealer) in Vancouver, BC, and I have subsequently replaced it twice more. But the last time was over a decade ago.

 

[ecotourist]

E39 BMWs are notorious for a failed final stage resistor in the HVAC system. When they fail, they cause the blower motor to activate on/off at a very low speed continously while the ignition is "off", until the battery is dead. If you daily drive the car, you may never notice, as it can take several days for the battery to wear down sufficiently to cause a "no start" situation. BMW updated the part several times between 1999 and around 2006, trying to improve longevity of the part. The final version/part number seems to be fine.

That sounds like what was wrong with mine. I know the offending part had something to do with the fan. And the new part was about the same size and shape as the old one but in spite of that looked quite a bit different.

 

[f355spider]

That sounds like what was wrong with mine. I know the offending part had something to do with the fan. And the new part was about the same size and shape as the old one but in spite of that looked quite a bit different.

Yes, the early versions were made of all metal and had few cooling pins (heat sink). The later versions had two or three time as many cooling pins and the base was made from plastic, instead of metal.

 

[Number_35]

I'm not a Costco member, and so haven't purchased a Kirkland battery for myself, but about 10 years ago I helped out an older couple whose Chevy Blazer's Kirkland battery had failed completely. After removing the battery, I cautiously shorted the +ve and -ve terminals and didn't even get a spark. I figured it had dropped a plate or something to go completely open.

The owner couldn't find the receipt, but I drove him with the battery to Costco. They looked him up on the system, and gave him a new battery, no receipt required. The only charge was $8, for the appreciated replacement cost compared to when he'd bought his.

I was impressed.

 

[KE7JFF]

East Penn if I remember right has a plant in Windsor….

 

[RAR]

I’ve had good luck with Costco Interstate batteries.

I, too, am a long distance from my nearest Costco (90 miles), but I’d still choose one from there and be ok with it.

I had to put a battery in my Mercury yesterday and chose a NAPA AAA battery because it was low priced and available immediately. If Costco was nearby, I’d had gotten it there, probably for even less.

 

[ABCarr]

Costco only seems to carry Energizer batteries in the AGM size I need (H8). Anyone know who makes these?

 

[f355spider]

Costco only seems to carry Energizer batteries in the AGM size I need (H8). Anyone know who makes these?

Clarios. You need to examine the label for country of origin.
If nothing...made in USA
"Made in Germany" it is a Varta (good)
Recenty we have seen Clarios AGMs made in the following other countries: Mexico, Korea and China. Quality is unknown. I suspect the Korean ones are fine...they are probably the same ones going in all the Kias and Hyundais.

 

[nobb]

Costco hands down. Even if they cost a little more, the warranty process is MUCH more seamless than any chain store. I had a battery that had a very clear visible mechanical failure, but the geniuses at Canadian Tire refused to warranty it because the battery tester still said it was ok. The store policy at Canadian Tire and many other places now require a failed test report from their tester before allowing the battery to get warrantied.

 

[Number_35]

Costco hands down. Even if they cost a little more, the warranty process is MUCH more seamless than any chain store. I had a battery that had a very clear visible mechanical failure, but the geniuses at Canadian Tire refused to warranty it because the battery tester still said it was ok. The store policy at Canadian Tire and many other places now require a failed test report from their tester before allowing the battery to get warrantied.

The issue with Canadian Tire here is that the stores are franchises, and the money comes right out of the owner's pocket. I suspect the managers are discouraged from approving warranty claims.