hjones4841

I bought a 2011 LS460 CPO with 25k miles on it about 3 weeks ago. I wanted to see if the battery had been replaced. The one in the car is a Toyota with what appears to be a date code of 2012E11. Does that mean November of 2012? The battery looks new as does the terminals and connectors.

Also, Amazon has the Optima 8025-160-FFP RedTop Group 25 Starting Battery for $140.70. Is that a good choice for this car? Thanks!

Valley101

Not every battery uses the exact same format, but the Letter E would indicate the fifth month, which would be May. 2012 would be the year. Not sure what the 11 stands for with your battery.

hjones4841

Thanks; sounds like the original battery was been replaced and I should be OK for another year or two.

Devh

I don't know what brand of battery the LS 460 comes with from the factory but if it is the Panasonic which is used in most Toyota cars then its probably the best lead acid battery money can buy.

These batteries are known to last over five years easy if not more and give a great service life compared to what is sold as far as aftermarket for the domestic US.

Optima batteries are a good concept however their track record is not that great. Even the newer AGM batteries have their problems as well. The problem is the charge cycle for AGM and spiral cell batteries require a different type of charging profile. If they are charged with the lead acid charging profile then it will prematurely kill the battery.

The only cars that are suited for these batteries are those that come with the AGM battery from the factory or one which you can change the setting using a service computer. I'm afraid with the Lexus you cannot so I would stick with lead acid batteries.

Nospinzone

There have been one or two other threads about batteries that I was tempted to post this on, but decided not to because I know I would get flamed (and deservedly so), but here goes .................

My 2007 LS460 is exactly 6 1/2 years old right now. It has the original battery. In the fall of 2012 I thought I should probably replace it, but then I thought well let's see if I get through the winter with it. My own assessment was it was still cranking fine. Then the fall of 2013 came along and my thought it was still strong and "well let's see if I get through the winter with it". I should have my mechanic do a load test, but I haven't done that yet.

I think I can pretty much tell when a battery is taxed, but I don't have that feeling yet. I did this fall on my 612 and sure enough the load test had it at 10.7 volts, so I had it replaced. I went 6 years on my previous Harley battery before replacing it because I could tell the battery was fine. But the battery before that I had to change after 4 years.

Basically the root of this behavior as my wife will tell you is "he's cheap"! I prefer to call it "frugal".

hjones4841

I am not sure why you would get flamed for sharing your experiences. Thanks, by the way.

This is my first Lexus, actually my first non-Detroit car. I am used to replacing batteries at 3 years, 4 tops. Summer heat in bumper to bumper traffic here is as bad on batteries as winter cold at some locations. So, with a 2011 car I envisioned that the OEM battery could be at least 3 years old. Then I discovered that the battery apparently had been changed - it was stamped Toyota with the date code that I listed in the first post. I gather from the info shared here that the battery likely was manufactured in May, 2012, so I should be good until sometime in 2015.

Nospinzone

I am not sure why you would get flamed for sharing your experiences.

Oh, I was only saying that half kiddingly. There are some guys on here who are really fastidious with their maintenance (and I admire that), but I am more on the cost-effective side, with the emphasis being on cost.

tofu

I know the battery from Lexus is usually 84 month battery (which is in my LS460 at this moment) if it goes out before 84 months Lexus will prorate it.
The best way is buy battery from SAMs club they usually last around 3 yrs and SAMs club will give you either free or 50-60% off to replace it, I just got one replaced on my LS430 last month from SAMs club and it costs me $35, can't complain.

hjones4841

That is where I have been buying mine. I usually don't fool with the warranty, but perhaps I should. I always thought they would prorate it to the point that it was not worth the hassle.