mmccutchin

Have Forum readers had good experience with Interstate Batteries?

Yesterday, in the middle of a major rain downpour my car wouldn't start. . .tow truck came 1 hour later and got the car started. . .local auto supply shop tested my battery and said it was fine. . .but my experience with batteries (and tests) is that they are unreliable. . .there is no true way to know "when" you have 25% left, etc.

So for about $100 I'm looking to yank the existing battery and put in a new one. . .hoping Forum readers could recommend an "ideal" battery for the 1993 LS400. . .or comment on the Interstate brand. . .which I found could last maintenance free in my old ES300 for about 30-36 months before replacement.

(BTW, as to my existing battery. . .not sure how old it is. . .car was purchased used. . .no date marks on the battery itself or in the service paper work I inherited. . .existing battery was from Kragen's here in the SF/Bay Area. . ."Exide" brand.)

Thank you in advance!

lefjef

Interstate is the OEM for the Toyota branded replacement batteries sold through Toyota dealerships. I got one for my Land Cruiser for about $70.00. Looks good.

Lexus of Knoxville quoted my $114 for a new battery. I don't know what it looks like or where it's made.

Kansas

If I remember correctly the last battery ratings in Consumer Reports showed that batteries sold at Wal-Mart were quite good and rated higher than Interstate. I have had lots of Interstate batteries in LS400's over the past 16 years. Most lasted about three years - I bought Interstate because that is what a nearby independent Lexus repair shop sells.

ragabnh

I replaced my battery at a Lexus dealership using a Lexus battery. It lasted only 2 years . My new battery is from Sams Club.

mmccutchin

Thanks for member's counsel. . .so I ended up buying an Interstate Battery ($90 + $30 installation). . .battery guy told me NOT to use the red looking anti-corrision spray. . .just to keep the terminal contacts clean from time to time (he said this was the #1 reason why batteries fail prematurely).

So. . ."how" do you take care of your battery to insure that it will last 36+ months?

In a 7/05 forum posting, someone wrote the following:

"Just be sure to pick up some battery terminal washers (i.e. oil-soaked felt pads) and/or a small packet of battery grease before you install your new battery. They both sell for ~$1 at auto parts stores, and will help resist corrosion on the terminals."

(Sorry to say. . .I don't understand what the above means. . .I'm one of those drivers who takes a "replace and go" approach to batteries. . .my battery is now fully installed. . .so what exactly do I do next?)

Thank you in advance!
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