Regarding the OEM 12V Panasonic SD55D23R battery....does it come with the hose vent connector piece already installed on the battery or do I need to reuse the old piece? FYI, first battery change on my '10 HS250h w/ approximately 64k on the odometer. Dealership seems like my only option since Hawaii not a place to find rare items like this battery. Has anyone compared the price difference between a Lexus/Toyota dealer?

 

Servco Lexus is your ONLY option, in Hawaii at least. It was around $460 I think..

 

Mahalo brah, don't think Lexus Parts Dept opens today but will try and see a friend who has a business account with them and see what his price will be. Hope that the new one lasts for another 8 yrs

 

Got my new battery today from my buddy who ordered from Servco Lexus here in Honolulu. Listed at $416.57, discounted to $312.43 plus wholesale tax $1.56, total $313.99. Lucky for me. FYI, new battery does not come with that plastic overflow elbow or hose. I'm pretty sure (haven't tried it yet) you only need to pull off the elbow from the old battery.

 

Another item I've learned. The plastic elbow is not just pressed into the hole, I'm pretty sure it locks into place. The battery end of the piece has maybe 3 or 4 grooves around the end section circumventing the tube and also what appears to be an ear perpendicular to the piece. Normally you will find the elbow facing the 3 o'clock position when already installed on the battery. I tried pulling on it in this position and it seemed to be stuck. Only after rotating the elbow to the 12 o'clock position did the elbow feel a bit more loose. I was then able to remove the elbow from the old battery. Installation was just the reverse, except I applied a little pressure inward while twisting the elbow until it once again is at the 3 o'clock position. On such an expensive battery you would think this elbow would already be installed on a new battery.