Hi All,

I was looking into purchasing a new battery + install

Quote #1 = Independant mechanic, $170 aftermarket exide battery + $50 install + tax = $248.6

Quote #2 = Lexus dealership, $190 OEM battery + $90 install + tax = $316.40

Which option should I choose? TIA

 

and to answer you question ... i would not go to dealership for just a battery replacement.


i did this myself ... but it took me like 1 hr to get the battery cage off

 

Yes, why go to the dealer for a battery or anything else unless it's covered under warranty?
I got mine replaced in September through AAA for $155, in my driveway.

 

I did option c. Bought a battery for about $120 and swapped it in my garage in about 10 minutes. I'm not sure why you would pay someone to do this.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention my prices are in CAD. So quote 1 = $196 USD and quote 2 = $ 248 USD

I watched a video and it does seem quite easy. Is a secondary power source needed during installation to "keep the memory alive"?

Does the throttle body have to be cleaned as well?

 

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Probably the easiest way to keep your electronics activated so no re-set of car functions are necessary, would be to use a trickle charger:

1. Hook charger up to battery cables several inches from the posts, pos to pos, neg to neg.
2. Turn on charger.
3. Disconnect battery cables from battery.
4. Remove old battery.
5. Install new battery. If smaller, use spacer on the bottom of battery (free with most batteries).
6. Hook up cables.
7. Unplug charger and charger wires.
8. Done.

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Changing the battery doesn't lose anything except the clock's time I found.

 

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Some have lost some other functions like window control or something and have had to mess around. Others have no effects at all. Doing what I suggest eliminates all chance.

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Radio stations stay the same. I have lost power to my car a few times only difference I noticed were clock and some navigation options got reset like voice prompt setting. Windows they still work. I think windows only happened to 2nd gen IS.

 

I used to change mine at discount auto parts. At the earliest sign of the battery failing I would drive there, take out my battery and replace it with a new one. There batteries were much cheaper than the dealers and i would get 3+ years out of them. Have not had to replace a Lexus battery yet. The one on my IS failed prematurely and they replaced it under warranty. The replacement lasted three years without issue upon until i changed the car.

 

I had the opposite experience in my 3IS. I replaced it with batteries from Lexus three times in four years. I kept doing it because they were always still under warranty. The last time, I decided I was tired of the constant failures and bought a different battery. I have had zero issues with this battery in 3 years. My main issue with the Lexus battery was that it was a dead cell everytime, so the failure would be instant and without warning.

 

friendly note:
if you do this yourself ... do not panic if your car's infotainment/electronics do not work right after the battery install.
its fine, this is known to happen ... wait a good 1 hr before turning the car over.

 

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Why would you need to wait for an hour? I already pointed out one way to keep current going to your electronics so you have no interuption. Based on cost and equipment you may have on hand, choose one of these while your original battery is disconnected:

1. Use your trickle charger to keep power in your car's system.
2. Jump cable from a spare battery to your car's cables.
3. Jump from another car's battery to your car's cables.
4. Use an ECM memory saver with a power source (normally what a shop would have on hand). Plug in under your dash.

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Is this normal after driving the car for 30 mins-1 hour?

 

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Is what normal?

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