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220 is too high, but some of that cost was for the labor, I'm sure. I just replaced the battery in my SC and my RX last year, and the RX battery was about 100 and the SC battery was much more, but it was much bigger and heavier. I bought both from the dealer and installed them myself, which takes about 20 minutes each. The dealer will give you a credit when you return the old one, either at the time you buy the battery or later, after you do the switch.
Optima batteries have a good reputation, but they come in only a few sizes, and you need to fiddle with the cables and the connections to make them fit. As for those from autozone and such places, I do not know whether they are comparable to those that the Lexus dealers carry or not. As I recall, Interstate batteries have a good reputation for reliability.
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2002 SC430 Black/Ecru
First Edition (April 2001)
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2004 RX330 w Nav/ML
and Thundercloud Grill
Interstate makes batteries for a lot of foreign automobiles. The OEM Lexus battery is made by Interstate is what I was told by a Lexus mechanic.
Probably depends upon where your RX is made. Our Made in Japan 2004 RX330's battery was made by Panasonic, which by the way, makes an excellent battery.
Good topic! I really need to get on this as I haven't replaced my batter in my '04 Lex. I had one of the first ones out so my battery is pretty old now. No signs of weakness but I definitely don't want to be stranded somewhere.
"By the way, does Lexus replace the battery as part of any major services like the 60,000 mile service?"
Wouldn't that be nice? But really, if your battery is still working at 60,000 miles, it's time to buy a new one anyway before it dies on you in the mall parking lot. I did that when the original battery had gone 45,000 miles and 5 years, and I'm glad I did.
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2002 SC430 Black/Ecru
First Edition (April 2001)
-----
2004 RX330 w Nav/ML
and Thundercloud Grill
Last edited by tfischer; 12-14-08 at 07:59 AM..
Reason: Deleted references to that sweet federal bailout money.
I just replaced the battery and boy was it easy. I am not the type of person that knows his way under the hood but it was absolutely simple. I followed the below directional video and had it done in 10 minutes.
I bought the battery from the Lexus parts department for $100.
Costco lists the replacement as a Group 24F and suggest a Group 35 (or Costco's number 8) battery. The Group 34/78 (Costco's number 1) is higher CC/CCA, same height as the Group 35 with the spacer on but it is a little longer. If anyone got a Costco battery, can you post the type you got?
Thanks
Last edited by My0gr81; 01-02-09 at 03:51 PM..
Reason: Changed Costco's replacement number for the 34/78
Turns out the original was an ACDelco Group 24F. Went to couple of the major places in the GTA (Canada) and most had the battery with a 2 years replacement and 60 months pro-rate. Wal-Mart had the Optima red top (34-78) for about double the price of the regular 24F. Group 35 battery is an alternative as it is the same height, width but about 2" shorter. Group 35 also has higher CCA (640A vs 540A), higher CA (800A vs 600A), and longer reserve capacity (110min vs 90). I ended up buying the Costco Group 35 replacement with 36 months replacement and 72 months pro-rate warranty for cheaper than the others major outlets. The Costco replacement code is Type 8.
Post a pic, if you can, we like to see the install. I have been eyeing the Costco battery in case I will need one. All my other cars have the Costco batteries, they are made by Johnson Controls. 3 years full replacement, they are great, then it is pro-rated. Can not beat it. The battery price have gone up at least $5 the last few months.
Post a pic, if you can, we like to see the install. I have been eyeing the Costco battery in case I will need one. All my other cars have the Costco batteries, they are made by Johnson Controls. 3 years full replacement, they are great, then it is pro-rated. Can not beat it. The battery price have gone up at least $5 the last few months.
I replaced the battery because I had to boost the RX when I left the keys in the ignition while shoveling the driveway. That is less than 1/2 Hr. That same day, I had to boost it again, after a 2 hours highway drive, parked in a parking garage because I left a charger plugged in the cigarette lighter plug. It sure looked like that battery wasn't holding a charge anymore. $85 is cheap insurance instead of being stranded somewhere in the winter waiting for a boost or a tow truck.
There is already a link to a video that goes through the battery replacement process on this thread. It is pretty much bang on. As far as the pics of the battery, it is the same as all the other batteries, except it has Kirkland label on it.
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