The Tender is right next to it in the garage so why not just hook it up to maintain a healthy battery?! Sometimes I might drive it daily and other times it might sit for 3 weeks.Does that make sense to you or no? Also, if someone gets too close to my GS I threaten their life.

 

I got 7 years out of my OEM battery. It was still good but I replaced it anyway prior to another Chicago winter. Like you I would park my GS for weeks at a time in the garage. The tender is a great investment. 3+ years now with a Die Hard gold and so far no issues.

 

I got 9 years out of an original battery in a Corvette I had. I knew I was pushing it and replaced it. The Battery Tender I have is from the early 90's and still going.

 

$150 for OEM battery directly from Lexus is not bad at all.

My OEM Panasonic battery is showing its age after almost 7 years and 66k miles so I am looking for a battery replacement soon. Called my local Lexus dealer and they quoted me $175 for the battery (Plus tax so about $187) not including installation. The sales guy did confirm that it is an Interstate battery and not the Panasonic.

Now, since it is Interstate battery and I am going to do it myself, I will run down to Costco and grab one from them for 110 bucks. The main difference, besides price, is that Lexus does warranty swap for 2 years and then its prorated fo the remainder of the 7 years, whereas Costco does warranty swap for 3 years and thats about it.

Wish the Lithium batteries would be sub 500, I would have gladly taken those, but I cannot justify paying close to 1000 bucks for a battery.

 

Updated - I ended up agreeing with @bclexus on this, but not initially. At first I went to remove it, it was 20deg out and that battery cover was a PITA. I needed an inspection done so figured it wasn’t worth my time removing it, getting a replacement, and installing it. For $260 I got a brand new 01/2023 production Lexus battery installed, a state inspection, their usual xyz-point inspection and car wash/vacuum. A very acceptable convenience surcharge, if that. And I asked that they check the computers/servo motor were okay (not sure if they actually did, but so far everything seems normal).

 

Really - umm-hum...

@GoodRevs Intelligent decision!

 

I got 8 years from my original Lexus battery. I agree with Bclexus. On my other Lexus, I am going to the dealer to have them replace the battery. It was a PITA to change on the GS and the fear of screwing up the electronics is well worth the costs. Hate the fact that the warehouse version will not fit in the existing battery holder case.

 

@Slickride - Perhaps to state the obvious, you have become a wise man!

 

My 2018 RX350L came with a Panasonic battery. My 2021 RX350 F-Sport came with some non descriptive battery. This non descriptive battery tested bad for low CCA at 3yrs 3-mos, not impressed. The dealer offered to replace it for $285. The car has 60k miles.

My mother has a 2019 NX300 that came with the Panasonic battery and is still going strong.

Even the service manager said that the Panasonic batteries were great but were discontinued and these new batteries are no where near as good. There is no way I'd pay $285 for battery that fails at 3.25yrs. I'd buy a Panasonic if I could find one but no luck with google so I'll just go aftermarket.

 

My ‘15 F Sport started slowly the last couple times so I went shopping. How bout this?

 

@Jakerin I had that red top optima battery in my 4GS from 2021 to 2023 purchased from AutoZone. It started giving problems RIGHT before the warranty was up at the 2yr mark. It lasted just about 22 months if i recall correctly. I personally wouldn't recommend it because my experience. It lasted the shortest amount of time of any battery I've purchased.

Separately, I had the unfortunate situation of dealing with my local Autozone whose manager could not get the story straight - wanted me to pay for a new battery up front because they didn't have the same one in stock suddenly...and then have me bring back the old battery which I had already removed and physically brought with me to the store bc a non-manager employee told me they needed the old battery before they could honor the warranty and the same red top battery was in stock. After some back and forth, they 'upgraded' me to the yellow top battery they had in stock. However it is slightly taller and it was a pain to install but still cranking strong.

If you have a local Lexus dealer you trust, I highly recommend getting it done with them as it will be cheaper than the red top, warrantied longer (24month replacement, up to 84 months prorated) and they will have to take responsibility if your infotainment system gives issues as a result of the battery change.

 

Excellent advice!

 

Thanks for your experience with an Optima. It bothers me to pay a dealer or anyone to change my battery so what’s the deal? Is losing presets the issue? For seats, radio and maps? Anything else?

 

Just put a Duracell 750cca in my 2014 without maintaining power. Seat, mirror, and radio presets were lost. . As with any Toyota/Lexus car I have owned, car starts then shuts down on initial startup. Restart and program your lost settings and you are good to go. Wasn't a big deal.

 

Anything else? Yes, lots!

People that have replaced their own battery or had an auto parts store replace the battery have run into a myriad of issues - things not working like NAV, HVAC, stereo amplifier, radio head unit, servos, or the automatic electric emergency brake locked and unable to be released, doors locked and unable to be unlocked, trouble messages and codes being thrown, trouble starting engine due to the MAF sensor needing to be cleaned, power seat unable to save memory, doors, moon roof or trunk inoperable, etc. etc., etc. and etc. Some people have had to have their car towed into the dealership to have the problem diagnosed and fixed, costing hundreds of dollars in unnecessary expense and owner anxiety.

Buying the Lexus branded replacement battery from a Lexus dealer and having the dealer install it puts the onus totally on the dealership and the Lexus technician to get everything working correctly (as it did before the battery was replaced). The Lexus replacement battery is fairly priced, has more than adequate amperage capacity and is the correct case size - and it comes with a very favorable 7 year pro-rata warranty. It's just not worth the trouble to take a chance that nothing will go wrong. But, at times it can work out okay for DIYers or auto parts stores replacing it...

I highly recommend just having your local Lexus dealership replace the battery with a Lexus branded battery of the correct physical size and ampere rating that comes with a healthy 84 month warranty (no-charge replacement in first 24 months). If any issues arise from the dealer replacing the battery (which is commonplace with DIY and auto shops doing it) the Lexus dealership tech will correct the issue at no additional charge.


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There are dozens of examples of issues from replacing batteries but here are a few links to give you a little whiff of the problem...

► Parking Brake Inoperable

► Infotainment Broken after battery replacement

► Battery Incident (merged threads)

► Changed battery - now radio/AC won't work