Battery life/replacement? (merged threads)
#2
Most 12V batteries these days last at least 4 years, and some last 6-7. Personally, if I reach 5 years and have not had to change the battery (regardless of vehicle make/model), I change the battery... even on my Ford diesels which require TWO 850 CCA batteries every time they are changed.
Proactive replacement will minimize your being potentially stranded.
Proactive replacement will minimize your being potentially stranded.
#4
Proactive rerplacement at 3+ Yrs here
Most 12V batteries these days last at least 4 years, and some last 6-7. Personally, if I reach 5 years and have not had to change the battery (regardless of vehicle make/model), I change the battery... even on my Ford diesels which require TWO 850 CCA batteries every time they are changed.
Proactive replacement will minimize your being potentially stranded.
Proactive replacement will minimize your being potentially stranded.
#6
Lead Lap
My 2013 RXh's battery wouldn't hold enough charge at three or four months of ownership to start the car after two weeks garaged (the car sat in the Southern Florida dealership's inventory for a year prior to my purchase - which likely accounts for some early life trauma due to heat/discharge/storage). This happened multiple times. Dealer reported that it checked at the lower end of acceptable. Replaced under warranty, it's been starting the car (well, not technically, of course - as the car's the hybrid) for the past 2.5 years.
#7
Intermediate
I wouldn't dream of touching it for at least 7 years and likely 8. The first battery I've ever proactively replaced was in my Nissan and it's a 2003 with over 120,000km on it. It also experienced winters with temps as low as -35°C.
Stranded with a dead battery is the Diet Coke of stranded, too. A variety of readily available car batteries will instantly get you out of that bind compared to a severe mechanical issue. The crappy thing is that it'll likely happen in extreme cold if you live in a place like that.
$0.02
Stranded with a dead battery is the Diet Coke of stranded, too. A variety of readily available car batteries will instantly get you out of that bind compared to a severe mechanical issue. The crappy thing is that it'll likely happen in extreme cold if you live in a place like that.
$0.02
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#8
Lead Lap
Replaced the OEM battery in our '10 last week. While in for service I asked them to load test it & results were marginal. Winter is coming down the tracks here pretty soon. A 6 year old battery doesn't owe me anything.
$177 for new OEM. Cheaper out there yes.
Battery pricing usually revolves around the metals market. Many batteries are using recycled lead. Higher end (priced) are for the most part using virgin lead.
$177 for new OEM. Cheaper out there yes.
Battery pricing usually revolves around the metals market. Many batteries are using recycled lead. Higher end (priced) are for the most part using virgin lead.
Last edited by SteveCraig; 09-04-16 at 04:07 PM.
#10
Lexus Test Driver
#11
To extend the life of your battery, specially if it is not your daily, you must use a trickle charger, a $30 investment. This keeps the battery refreshed. Then you can bank on at least 6 years of trouble free start ups.
Who uses their SC as a daily? If you do, then when the 1st hint of a non-crank, time to replace. Still look at 6 years minimum.
Who uses their SC as a daily? If you do, then when the 1st hint of a non-crank, time to replace. Still look at 6 years minimum.
#12
Instructor
i don't know why but every one of my batteries did not last until the end of the warranty period. It was always the corroded terminals (this impacts the cells inside). Who know why but I must be making the oxygen molecules very voracious around my batteries.
#13
Lead Lap
Every battery I've ever had in a daily vehicle, classic car, work truck or boat gets the same treatment.
Cleaned battery terminals get a light dab of Vaseline on top. Engine heat will melt it & let it migrate throughout the connection.
No battery corrosion, ever.
Cleaned battery terminals get a light dab of Vaseline on top. Engine heat will melt it & let it migrate throughout the connection.
No battery corrosion, ever.
Last edited by SteveCraig; 10-01-16 at 04:06 PM.
#15
I would say that you need to "check" the condition of your terminals every 6-12 months, and if they show signs of corrosion, clean them and coat them with either the CRC or Permatex batterry terminal cleaner/protectors. Both products are readily available. You can also use the green and red felt washers under the cable connectors on the posts as an additional anti-corrosion measure.
When using the protective coating sprays, only spray the terminals AFTER the cables are cleaned, reconnected, and tightened.
When using the protective coating sprays, only spray the terminals AFTER the cables are cleaned, reconnected, and tightened.