kleef

Anyone know the typical battery life on our cars? Mine is a 2003, and lately I've had to jump it 3 times. A few days ago it just made a clicking noise upon starting, and I had to jump it. Probably time for a new battery.

98LexSc400

I have a 2003 also and was having the same problems after jump starting it twice. I took it to the dealer a week ago and they changed the battery out under warranty.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Batteries usually last around 4-5 years (other factors involved).

kleef

Interesting... I called Lexus yesterday and they told me my car was out of warranty since last february (4 yrs old), and when i asked if that included the battery she quickly said "yes." hmm..

98LexSc400

I know it depends on the in service date my car was originally sold in 10/2003 which mad the warranty good until 10/07 as long as your mileage isn't over. But I had my car in in September for a dead battery which I called Lexus road side. So they noted that in the warranty list. Later that month I got in the shop and they changed out the positive terminal which was not tight. At this point my car lived at one dealership for almost 3 months long story! So when I got the car back in December and noticed some problems with the battery I went to a different dealer who took care of the battery under warranty no questions asked even though it was January and the warranty went up in October. I do know that the battery in my car that went bad had a label on it that said Lexus 84 month warranty so worst case they should still pro rate the battery for you. To help on the cost of a new one.

DDLexus

My 2001 LS430 had the original battery until this week. That means it lasted over 7 years!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

wow, surprising to see battery go out so quickly. sounds weird, but then again i never changed battery on the sc430

the battery on my gs400, it ran from early 98 all the way till 2006, 8 yrs

JohnnyCake

2006 battery failed last month. Replaced under warranty.

tfischer

The battery in my 02 (purchased April '01) died about a year ago, after about 6 years. It died without warning, and the service manager mentioned that this happens a lot on the more modern cars. Thus, after 5 years I replaced the battery on my 5 year old RX, which gets parked outside all winter long, just to be safe. I call this pre-emptive maintainance.

rnourse

my 02 has a failing battery... noticed several of the cells were dry but filling them doesnt appear to have fully resolved the problem. Anyone know the Group Type code for an sc430 battery? Its not in the owners guide.

moose66

Maybe size 48 w/625 Cold Crank Amps? Confirmation guys?

Seattle SCone

I routinely change my batteries at 5 years, even if they seem to be working. It's a lot less hastle to do it pre-emptively than wait until I've been inconvenienced by a dead battery.

tfeni52355

If you get 5 years out of a battery in ANY car you are doing very very well.

Plan on buying the best battery you can (<$100) at 48 months and you will never have the hassle of having your SC dead when you need to crank it!

Consider it routine maintenance. Cheap, considering what it costs to have the SC towed or another battery dropped in.......

tfischer

Very true. Really good batteries are not that much more expensive than average batteries, and you amortize that differential over 5 years.
I replaced the batteries in my SC and in my RX with batteries from the dealership; they are the right size and have the appropriate specs. The one for the SC is very large and heavy, and costs almost twice as much as the one for the RX (six cyl engine), so expect to pay top dollar for a battery to turn over this fairly large engine.
In five years, I'll replace them again, dead or alive.

martini3

2003 w/ 84k miles
Well, my factory battery (2003) lasted 5 years.
I changed it out for an Interstate and it's been about 2 years or so.

But this year, 2009, a few months ago:
--------------------------------------
- One morning (engine is cold), I turn the ignition to ON.
- It sounded very weak and had no juice to fire up.
- But after a sluggish err...err...err.....it fired up.
- I brought it to my mechanic and he measured the battery and it read. 12.6-12.8.
- Ok, so he said it's not the battery. OK, I go on my way.


Yesterday:
----------
- (engine is cold), I turn on the ignition to ON and no response from firing up.
- no response from battery.
- I turn the key all the way to the right and the sound is CLICK...CLICK...CLICK...CLICK....in a very fast motion.
- I turn OFF ignition and take out the key.
- I test the headlights and they light up.
- I insert the key and turn halfway just before firing up again.
- I test the headlights and they light up.
- I crank it and the CLICKING SOUND is continuous as I try to fire it up and NO GOOD.

- So I jump start the battery using jumper cables to my other car.
- VOILA! ---- It fired up.

- I drive it to the shopping center and park it. (engine is hot now).
- 1 hour later, it barely cranked and fired up again but sluggish and somehow I was able to start it.
- I arrive to the gym (engine is hot now).
- 45 minutes later, I crank it and the CLICKING SOUND is continuous as I try to fire it up and NO GOOD.
- I ask someone for a jump and it fired up again.


Today
------
I bring it back to my mechanic and he measured the battery and it read 12.5

He said it's the starter.


Is this true?


thanks...martini3