I have an '04 with 40,000 miles. Is it better to upgrade to a new battery now or wait for the battery to fail at a time of its choosing?

 

You can take it to a battery store and have them load test the battery. If it checks good, wait and have it tested again later. If bad, I would go with an Optima red top...

Craig

 

I personally would replace it no more than 5 years or when your car refuse to turn over any more...
I have Optima red top in my Porsche and it only lasted me 3 years. But than again I only put 3k miles a year on the car...and that's with battery maintainer plug in when not driving.

 

Generally speaking, it should probably be good for another year or more. Mine lasted 53K miles/4 years, and other Panasonic batteries that I've seen on Toyotas lasted at least as long. For example, my original Supra Panasonic battery lasted 7 years. I think I caused premature death of my LS battery by leaving an interior light on and completely discharging the battery a few months ago.

Personally, I don't like Optimas very much except for ONE thing. I like the fact that they don't give off corrosive vapors or acid that might eventually corrode the area around/under them (I really like that part). On the downside, they are very heavy and not nearly as long lasting as a good conventional battery. Red tops are especially sorry, IME. Lots of people I've known (Supra guys) only get 2-3 years life out of those. I have a Blue top on my Supra simply for the reason cited above -- I want to keep that car perfect as much so as possible. For a car that I didn't anticipate keeping for an indefinite period, I don't think I'd use an Optima.

 

does the engine crank slowly when starting?
does it click rather than crank; then start cranking?
do you need to jump start your car....

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age of a battery is a fair indicator. as previous posts said, 5 years is an average battery life.

however, better is to have it load tested, as Craig recommended.
a machine can analyse cells' voltage output and also check your alternator.

 

When the battery is getting to it's ripe age as indicated on the battery it will start to crank like it is dying. You will still have a few more starts but should be changed within a week or 2.

 

Auto Zone batteries are highly rated in all the literature I've read. I would probably replace with one of their batteries at the end of 4 years.........unless you are a gambler and don't mind being stalled someplace when your old battery fails.

 

I have a 2000 LX 470 in service since 2-00, and it is the original Panasonic battery. The car has 44,000 miles on it and I just had it load tested at the Toyota dealership where I have my oil changed, and they said it is in good condition. I do plan to replace it this fall, however.

 

Battery can go any time, even if it were tested in good health doesn't mean it would still be good days after. My wife's MB was tested and good but less than one week later it die completely in the parking garage where she works. And this was last Wednesday.

 

It looks like I might need a new battery soon, I know it is size 24F. Does it make a difference what level of CCA (cold cranking amps) I buy? I thought it was conventional wisdom to pay a few extra bucks to get a few extra CCAs (especially up here in frozen Alberta Canada). I think the stock Lexus battery (from what I have found) rates at 585. Should I get the 700 or even 800 CCA battery (still 24F size)?

 

If I lived in a cold climate, I would get the highest CCA I could find. It's good insurance and only a few dollars more.