2012 Battery finally died (8/2012-11/2016, RIP) and this is what I learned/went with!
11-28-16, 01:47 PM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
thanks for shring this. I want a non Lexus dealer battery. They are ****e and die in less than 18 months with track work. I actually drive around with a battery jumper unit in my trunk because its died 2 times in 2.5 years. Free replacement means jack if you are stuck in a parking lot with a waiting room filled with patients. Will order the Bosch. Thanks
03-20-17, 04:58 AM
#17
I killed my original battery yesterday while setting the transmission fluid level. I decided to give the Bosch AGM a try after finding this thread.. The Pep Boys online discount code still works and my local store has one ready for pick-up today.. Thanks, OP!
-Mike
-Mike
The following users liked this post:
ssis300 (03-20-17)
03-21-17, 07:40 AM
#23
Went with a $120 unit from Autozone last week with a 4yr warranty. It fit and the car starts. Does battery things, so no complaints. The first battery I've ever relaxed in a car actually. So either I don't keep cars long enough or the OE battery sucks 
03-21-17, 09:11 AM
#24
all of my Toyota batteries have gone 5+ years then I sold the car; two of those went 10+ years. I think it's more climate than anything that'll ruin a batterys cells.
03-21-17, 09:49 AM
#25
For those of you who don't drive the F much, or who store it over the winter, leave the cat unlocked, the battery will thank you (unless you keep it on a battery charger (float charge) or battery tender).
With the car locked, I've had my new battery struggle to crank the V8 after 3 weeks of sitting. Unlocked, I've went 6 weeks before not cranking it and it fires right up with ease. Weird, but true.
V.
03-26-17, 09:37 AM
#26
Thought I'd share my experience and research with you guys, as I sifted through many threads on here as well as talking to my Service Advisors at both Lexus Dealerships here in town. First, I can say that for the original battery to last over 4 years in Southern state climate is pretty impressive. The car is electrically bone stock, so the battery doesn't have to stress any more than normal. That all being said, the things that I learned:
- Lexus ISFs ship from Japan with Panasonic batteries (which are not sold here in the US - at least not at my dealers, and I didn't press on this)
- My 2 dealerships source Interstate Batteries as the direct OEM replacement, due to "warranty and performance"
- The replacement out the door cost is about $220, which includes the battery, materials, labor, and tax. It comes with a full replacement 2-year warranty, and 50% on years 3-4, and 25% on years 5-6....as I was told.
- I DID NOT go with the dealership replacement option. Thanks to several postings here (and on various other review boards on the interwebs), I ended up going with the BOSCH Platinum Series AGM Battery from Pep Boys. This battery seemed to get great reviews and I was hard pressed to find any negativity associated with it, except for price ($190ish, but they're currently running a 25% off special....so save about $50 off that). The positives far outweighed that, being that the CCAs are about 100 more than the Interstate, and it comes with a 100% 4-year exchange warranty. I also looked at the Red Top and there were some bad experiences and reviews out there and I did not want to take any chances. The BOSCH battery is available here: https://www.pepboys.com/product/deta...05.0L%2520DOHC
- Ended up installing it yesterday with some buddies, and it's FANTASTIC. Now if I can only get my radio presets and settings back to where they all were!!
07-11-18, 02:56 PM
#27
UPDATE: The Bosch AGM that I installed in my original post (in November of 2016) has succumbed to the Texas heat and I took it into Pep Boys on Sunday and got a free replacement. Note that the original price was $190, but Manny, Moe and Jack were running a special for 25% off which made it about $150. Here we are a couple of years later and they honored the discount on the replacement and my total was ZERO* (there was a $3 mandated charge for disposal). Anyhow, the new battery is in the car and everything is operating smoothly again (knocking on wood).
Drive safely, my friends!
Drive safely, my friends!
01-06-19, 10:17 PM
#29
My Optima Red Top Group 25 died after four years and I was unable to recover it. I almost spent $232 on a replacement but decided to give the Bosch AGM a try.
$190 -$38 instant rebate - $40 mail in rebate at Pep Boys when ordered online and picked up in store seemed like too good a deal to pass up.
It weighs about 10 lbs more but carries a 4 year full replacement warranty. Some complaints online about pep boys not properly rotating their stock and selling two year old batteries but I did not have that issue. Check the battery label to be sure.
Otherwise, I'm pleased so far. I'll update as time goes but thanks to those who've already provided input.
$190 -$38 instant rebate - $40 mail in rebate at Pep Boys when ordered online and picked up in store seemed like too good a deal to pass up.
It weighs about 10 lbs more but carries a 4 year full replacement warranty. Some complaints online about pep boys not properly rotating their stock and selling two year old batteries but I did not have that issue. Check the battery label to be sure.
Otherwise, I'm pleased so far. I'll update as time goes but thanks to those who've already provided input.
Last edited by FMYLIFE; 01-07-19 at 12:35 AM.
