I've been trying to extend the life of this one by putting on the CTEK every 1 - 2 weeks when possible. We'll see if it works...
Walmart or Costco Batteries
- Thread starter HowAboutThis
- Start date
Funny how different vehicles battery placement effects life. I have a Kia v-6 with battery near an exhaust manifold that lasts 3 years. I have 2000 buick with the battery under the back seat that is only on it's 3rd battery after 25 years. I buy the high warranty level Walmart.
Walmart, since Costco prorates from the beginning. Walmart gives you a full replacement four-year warranty. Both batteries have a high chance of being the same Clarios units. Also, more Walmart locations should you have an issue when on the road.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
That’s how I am too. From that perspective unless your Subaru was spec’ed with an AGM, I’d get the flooded version for the commuter.
For me, the value line runs 4 years. The maxx line with the 3 years warranty is great but by year 4 I’m out of coverage anyways. So why spend extra? And even if I run out of my luck and need to change a battery in 2 years on my next WM Value battery, I’ve come out ahead thus far.
One of my vehicles also has a rural king (exide) for about 2.5 years. Never skipped a beat even in this severely cold winter we just had.
Walmart as the Costco warranty is less and the two are more than likely the same battery (providing the Walmart is an Everstart Maxx or the AGM)...
edited to add it seems that looking today that Costco undercuts Walmart in price by a good amount for what is probably the same battery…price difference may be due to the better warranty at Walmart...
Bill
edited to add it seems that looking today that Costco undercuts Walmart in price by a good amount for what is probably the same battery…price difference may be due to the better warranty at Walmart...
Bill
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That's basically what you're buying a depreciated warranty once the free exchange period runs up. I haven't bought into the AGM market yet
Walmart for me. I like the idea of no pro-rating. In my area in NY, they are mostly East Penn batteries. If the car calls for a flooded, I put a flooded back.
I don't have Costco near me. I did buy a Walmart battery for the Dodge Charger last year that will not charge over 12.4 volts. It does start the car quickly so I guess there's not much to complain about.
I do like Home Depot's Exide batteries for their price and usually get 5 years out of those batteries. I got 7 years out of a Rural King group 75 side terminal battery although the car is not a daily driver.
I do like Home Depot's Exide batteries for their price and usually get 5 years out of those batteries. I got 7 years out of a Rural King group 75 side terminal battery although the car is not a daily driver.
Between the two mentioned, I'd go with the Walmart. Mostly for the ease of return in the event of warranty. Both are made by top makers, the Costco being almost exclusively Clarios which are made worldwide. A lot of the ones I've seen in the past come from Mexico. However, with the bad "T" word in play, most are probably coming from the Holland Ohio plant, especially the AGMs. Have yet to see an SC one though, even though a big plant is just down the road from me. Walmarts are mostly Clarios out west, and East Penn or Deka in the east. Big influx recently of South Korean manufactured Everstarts coming from Hankook, which merged with AtlasBX, one of S. Korea's oldest and largest battery makers.
I still go to my VW dealer and get genuine German made Varta AGMs (OE) labeled for VAG. Have one in the Tiguan that is going on 6 years and daily driven. Wagon and GLI do too but they are newer. Even though they technically get pro-rated, as long as my buddy is the parts manager, I get a full replacement
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I still go to my VW dealer and get genuine German made Varta AGMs (OE) labeled for VAG. Have one in the Tiguan that is going on 6 years and daily driven. Wagon and GLI do too but they are newer. Even though they technically get pro-rated, as long as my buddy is the parts manager, I get a full replacement
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Never had a Costco but had some Walmart and others. I can't remember having a battery that didn't last 10 years. And I'm in New England. I do keep them topped up with distilled water when I can.
What would be the advantage of an AGM vs flooded for a car battery? I thought AGM was for applications where the battery might tip over and spill electrolyte? Like in a motorbike.
What would be the advantage of an AGM vs flooded for a car battery? I thought AGM was for applications where the battery might tip over and spill electrolyte? Like in a motorbike.
AGM has various advantages, not just spill protection. They are typically considered a higher grade battery.
Checking Walmart vs Costco for my Civic shows that Walmart has various options compared to one for Costco. The $190 Costco AMG has 435CCA whereas the Walmart AMG for the same money is 640CCA.
Okay, what other advantages? The reason I ask is because I watched a FortNine motorcycle battery comparison video and he didn't recommend the AGM's in particular.
AGM is more tollerant of vibration. This is why off road guys were early adopters.
They also have lower self discharge, and handle heat better supposedly. I'll let you know, I am on my first one and heat here is what kills them I am pretty sure.
Whether these are beneficial to you or not depends on your use case.
Just went through this with a 10-year-old OEM battery in the Beemer (Varta H8 AGM). Was still starting and running fine but after my tester check it suggested I replace it. Was vacillating between Costco and Walmart H8 AGM. Much as I like Costco, went with the Walmart option that has served me well previously, and all is well. You won't find better pricing for this battery beyond Walmart and Costco, so it's a personal choice. Both have a proven track record, but Walmart provides a 4-year warranty on their AGM series batteries.
Yeah, flooded is probably fine since that's what this car came with, but I feel like the electronics and heated seats and Starlink stuff drain so I'd like a battery that can tolerate being discharged overnight a little more. AGM might tolerate this better? I know a Red Top or X2 are probably even better for that kind of stuff.
But I've literally had a variety of Japanese vehicles in my life and batteries have always lasted more than 4 years before testing kinda weak. Even my current Toyota just went about 9 years before I preemptively replaced it due to lower voltage at rest and lower cranking amps.
It has that nanny stuff. Not sure which modem. My battery didn't qualify for the thing a couple years back because it lasted too long. I guess 3-5 years is considered normal now.
Edit: I'm also pondering a yellow top or one of the others meant for discharge since, a couple weeks each year, the car isn't driven regularly (will sit for a week or so) and when I test it after that something is draining it more than our other car.
Did you get a notice for the recall? If so, see if you can get the system reset even if they don't cover the battery. I ended up replacing my battery on my own and noticed it was still draining so I had it brought in and they did the system reset. I did end up putting in an Odyssey and went larger (no Group 35s were available at the time). I went with a 24 or was it 24f. Regardless, it fit the tray and I haven't had any issues. Going on almost 1.5 years now. I do periodically put it on a 15 amp Odyssey charger cause I don't want to take a chance.
Yes, I know Odyssey batteries are more expensive but I got mine from Napa and used the 20% off coupon to make it more palatable. I am not suggesting that you need to get an Odyssey though. I think it ended up costing about $290.
Walmart