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Perhaps lower batteey life expectancy depicted in Southern States results primarily from elevated ambient temperature(s) or is it due to higher underhood temperature rise from higher ambients.
I mention, because if the latter, ours incorporates a battery cover with cold air intake scoop....so perhaps this chart is for batteries subject to radiator exhaust.
Other Lexus and Toyota models mount battery away from engine compartment...
Heat kills batteries. Heat when car is running and also heat when car is parked. The higher the heat, the faster the battery will age due to heat accelerating unwanted chemical reactions within the battery. Self discharge in a battery doubles with each 10 degree C increase in temperature.
"Common" knowledge wrongly assumes batteries are damaged by cold but just the opposite is true. Cold preserves a battery. However cold temperature reduce the voltage level that any battery (strong or weak) can provide, so a weak or damaged battery typically makes its problems known as soon as it gets really cold outside, inadvertently making people believe that the cold damaged the battery.
Concern about battery life and cost is highly overrated. Just replace the damn thing for $100 and get on with enjoying life!
I have to disagree. For my wife to go through 2 batteries in 25 mos. (not $100 but $170), I would rather be informed on what will last at least 3-5 yrs. minimum, and switch to it. Throwing money at an issue and getting on with life, that's the easy and expensive way out. In my career, the only time that flew was in health care. ThinkPads stacked to the ceiling falling over, you have to see it for yourself. $3k laptops treated like garbage
Perhaps lower batteey life expectancy depicted in Southern States results primarily from elevated ambient temperature(s) or is it due to higher underhood temperature rise from higher ambients.
I mention, because if the latter, ours incorporates a battery cover with cold air intake scoop....so perhaps this chart is for batteries subject to radiator exhaust.
Other Lexus and Toyota models mount battery away from engine compartment...
Do you have a picture of the battery cover with cold air intake you could share? Also a part # would be helpful. I don’t believe my ‘04 has this cover although the original owner replaced the Lexus battery at the dealership four times.
As far as battery life goes the combination of a small 24F battery & the placement of the battery contributes to the short battery life but I think a large contributing factor is the inherent parasitic draws on the battery. This cycling of current up and down weakens the battery. On my current Lexus battery that is just over 3 years old I have reconditioned it to remove all sulfation and it will charge up to 10.72 volts. It passes every test but ultimately settles into the 12.45 voltage range. I’ve never owned a vehicle that passes all the parasitic draw tests and loaded shop tests that settles that low. Personally I’m carrying a jumper pack in the trunk as a backup. When the time comes I’ll get a Deka Intimidator from the Deka Distribution Center in Dallas.
In normal everyday driving what does your battery voltage “settle” to (check with multimeter after driving with at least an hour before testing)?
my last car had the battery under the back seat. it lasted over 8 years in Texas. better places for battery than under hood by motor, but that is where people expect to find it so that is where the majority are going to be. My current Interstate battery is actually the one for northern climates. Northern has black case, southern has the green and white case that I expected to see. When I asked I was told that people just want the one with more CCA regardless of cost. February will make it 3 years old.
For our 12 volt car batteries, 2.1 volts for each cell is optimum performance usually when new. That equates to 12.66 at resting state and no draw from car (disconnected). Personally, when my battery starts reading 12.55 or below I start looking for a replacement. This usually occurs around the 2.5 year+. range of battery ownership.
Hi I live in Australia where it gets hot....very hot. Last summer we had a few days at 45 degrees celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit!) I have a 2004 ls430 and i have always liked and used Bosch batteries. I have found they last a long time and never leak. I use the Bosch S5 Mega Power Silver Battery in my LS.
my last car had the battery under the back seat. it lasted over 8 years in Texas. better places for battery than under hood by motor, but that is where people expect to find it so that is where the majority are going to be. My current Interstate battery is actually the one for northern climates. Northern has black case, southern has the green and white case that I expected to see. When I asked I was told that people just want the one with more CCA regardless of cost. February will make it 3 years old.
My wife's SUV has it under the rear pass's feet, my coupe is in the rear right of the trunk. One thing to mention....when I replaced the LS430's I kept the sleeve, because of my experience with the Maxima. I tossed it on the Maxima, and oddly at about 12 y.o., the front lower corner of the driver side fender began rusting, to the point where it was 3"x3". That's the ONLY place where there was any rust. asked my uncle, he said battery gassing. Note to self, do not throw sleeves away...
09-28-18, 03:02 PM
