Honda Battery or Interstate?

[Owen Lucas]

Who manufactures Honda automotive batteries?

- 21 Pilot 48k Miles

I am going to change the battery because engine start seems not to be as snappy as it used to be and I do not want to jump start a vehicle in the winter. Engine deactivation seems to run these batteries down and my wife does not turn it off every time she drives.

I think it is a little early for the battery and it still probably has some life in it. I might just keep instead of getting back $15 for the core charge at the Honda dealer. I might just throw a charger on it every once in a while and put it on a shelf.

Vehicle is under the extended Honda warranty and I'd rather go OEM to avoid warranty issues. What do you think? Stick with Honda or go with another brand?

 

[Chevyc10]

This is not one of your options. But this week I purchased 2 batteries from Walmart. Less expensive than dealer or auto parts stores by $75-$100. And they are fresh, those I bought were mfg same month I purchased them. For warranty reasons open 7 days a week, locations everywhere. I see some auto batteries brands only have 90 days now. I selected from WM a 1year warranty for infrequently used car trailer winch and 3 year warranty for classic vehicle.
Had good luck with Interstate in past, but only couple mfgs just labeled for different vendors.

 

[NormanBuntz]

As long as you buy the correct Group Number battery with appropriate matching specs, Honda warranty folks couldn't say squat about it. I run a Deka Gold 24F in my Ridgeline and a Walmart Everstart Maxx 24F in the Infiniti. The Everstart (36 month warranty) is $140 vs. $200 plus at non-Walmart stores. Sometimes Honda dealers run battery replacement specials. I did that once at a good discounted price.

 

[Nukeman7]

This is not one of your options. But this week I purchased 2 batteries from Walmart. Less expensive than dealer or auto parts stores by $75-$100. And they are fresh, those I bought were mfg same month I purchased them. For warranty reasons open 7 days a week, locations everywhere. I see some auto batteries brands only have 90 days now. I selected from WM a 1year warranty for infrequently used car trailer winch and 3 year warranty for classic vehicle.
Had good luck with Interstate in past, but only couple mfgs just labeled for different vendors.

I also suggest that you buy the battery from WalMart for the best price and warranty. Your '21 Honda Pilot should come from the factory with a size H6/Group 48 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery, not a flooded lead acid battery. The WalMart Everstart Platinum AGM battery has a 4 yr. replacement warranty while the Interstate AGM has a 3 yr. replacement warranty. The $180 Everstart Platinum and the $285 Interstate AGM batteries are identical and made on the same assembly line (probably by Clarios). Compare the photos below and you will see they are the same units with different labels.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Interstate has taken a nosedive in quality, especially the ones from Costco

Get any Deka/East Penn-made battery.

 

[edyvw]

Japanese vehicles always had, at best, average batteries. Not worth an extra dime. Get Interstate from Costco.

 

[Leo99]

I just put a walmart everstart H6 AGM in my RAV4. The start/stop stopped working and it's 5 years old so rather be proactive. It was pretty ready to change. I used an battery cable from my other car to the OBD2 plug to keep the radio presets and computer settings from resetting.

 

[TheLastWord]

Japanese vehicles always had, at best, average batteries. Not worth an extra dime. Get Interstate from Costco.

Except when Honda installed Yausa as OEM. Outstanding quality.

I also remember Panasonic car batteries still good for 10+ years.

But those days are long gone.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Except when Honda installed Yausa as OEM. Outstanding quality.

Looks like you can still get Yausa batteries, just have to look around.

Find a Yuasa Battery | Yuasa Batteries Inc

Find a Yuasa battery dealer near you. Whether you need a powersports or industrial battery, Yuasa provides the best batteries on the market.

www.yuasabatteries.com

 

[Pelican]

Interstate has taken a nosedive in quality, especially the ones from Costco

Get any Deka/East Penn-made battery.

That ^^^^^^^^^^

 

[DuckRyder]

Both the Honda and Interstate are likely Clarios. The Honda may have 100 month warranty.

Based on my personal experience The Deka lovefest is unwarranted.

 

[SC Maintenance]

OP what state do you live? You might find a East Penn / Deka at walmart. The serial number will start with EP (as apposed to JCI which is a Clarios / Johnson Controls build). They seem to be common, or more common - in the Northeast from VA North.

I think batteries are now the lowest price race to the bottom everywhere. I have used Walmart batteries for a long time. 2 of the 3 i purchased about a year ago are pretty disappointing however - JCI builds. The 3rd - and AGM, seems to be fairing better. All based on my tester percent health.

 

[Kira]

Japanese vehicles always had, at best, average batteries.

My 1995 Subaru came with a Johnson Controls, pre-Clarios, I think, which lasted 15 years in daily use.
Said daily use and my maintenance contributed to its longevity, for sure.
As pointed out, Walmart is hard to beat.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Buy the one with the highest cold cranking amps and I would prefer the AGM battery. No need to go with a Honda battery. It's a good idea to replace it now instead of when it's extremely cold outside and you just got done with a long day and it wont start or worse yet early in the morning.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Both the Honda and Interstate are likely Clarios. The Honda may have 100 month warranty.

This appears to be the case with dealer purchased OEM batteries. I will call the dealer to verify the warranty details and if it still applies to DIY installations.

The serial number will start with EP (as apposed to JCI which is a Clarios / Johnson Controls build). They seem to be common, or more common - in the Northeast from VA North.

We have Clarios batteries around here.

 

[Tdbo]

Just shop it.
Find the battery with the best balance between price and warranty, that has infrastructure to make it easy for you to utilize it if required.
Your choices are among three or four manufacturers anyway, with labels and marketing differentiating them anyway.
Purchase the cheapest and most convenient option. Fate will determine the rest.

 

[f355spider]

Interstate has taken a nosedive in quality, especially the ones from Costco

Get any Deka/East Penn-made battery.

I think it is difficult to make that judgement. I have not heard of a lot of issues with Interstate on this forum or others I am on. I personally have purchased both a flooded and AGM from Costco/Interstate about 2.5 years ago, neither have given me any issues.

And while I am not going to dismiss East Penn as bad in general, I have had two of their flooded batteries fail me (Group 49 H8). Both failed to hold a charge in less than two years time on a daily driven car.

I think batteries in general can be a fickle product and all manufacturers can have a bad one here and there.

The reason it can be difficult to pin down Clarios is they have manufacturing in so many countries. I see their AGMs with "made in" labels from USA, Mexico, Germany, Korea, and China. I have had good luck with the German and Korean ones so far.

 

[JoeDirt41]

Find the best price. In the US, There's only three manufacturers of batteries- East Penn/Deka, Clarios (Johnson Controls), and Exide. Lately E.P. seems to be the favorite and and Exide seems to the least favorite.

Japanese vehicles always had, at best, average batteries. Not worth an extra dime. Get Interstate from Costco.

I install a lot of batteries at work, and for whatever reason, heavy battery corrosion is far more common on Japanese vehicles than European or American vehicles. Doesn't seem to matter what if the battery is original or not. Correlation doesn't equate to causation, but it's definitely a pattern I've observed.

I also remember Panasonic car batteries still good for 10+ years.

But those days are long gone.

Some Japanese cars still come with Panasonic batteries. I believe Japan-built Toyotas like the 4Runners.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Some Japanese cars still come with Panasonic batteries. I believe Japan-built Toyotas like the 4Runners.

I will pay a premium of could obtain a Panasonic battery for me!

Seriously though, I'm probably going with the Costco or WM battery for around $180. The Honda dealer wants $270 - $300 for an OE replacement with the Honda sticker.

 

[I<3oil]

I also suggest that you buy the battery from WalMart for the best price and warranty. Your '21 Honda Pilot should come from the factory with a size H6/Group 48 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery, not a flooded lead acid battery. The WalMart Everstart Platinum AGM battery has a 4 yr. replacement warranty while the Interstate AGM has a 3 yr. replacement warranty. The $180 Everstart Platinum and the $285 Interstate AGM batteries are identical and made on the same assembly line (probably by Clarios). Compare the photos below and you will see they are the same units with different labels.

View attachment 250194View attachment 250195

Honestly, I've started doing the same. There's a Walmart on every other street corner nowadays in 98% of the USA.