I just got my car back from Lexus and they did the whole you need to fix this and that fixed. They said I needed a new battery etc etc.

I took my battery to auto zone and they said it was working fine and my alternator was working as well.

I don't drive every day and I don't drive for long distances. I live in the South and it's been cold as well.

Every time I try to start it, it feels like the battery is dying. After I drive for 15 mins and then start it up again it sounds great.

I have NEVER replaced my spark plugs and It's an 08 with 68k miles. Is that my problem?

Thank you as always guys!

 

I was having the same problems and a new battery solved mines.

 

Definitely sounds like a battery. Try an interstate dealer. I've never had issues with service since switching to them.

 

I'm surprised AutoZone said it wasn't the battery. Is this the original battery? If so, it's time for sure. My 08 still had the original battery when I got it. Lasted maybe a couple of months and then it went. Autozone diagnosed the problem and put in a new one. Been fine ever since.

 

FYI, I drove around today and my batter DIED. I let it sit for over an hour at lunch and it barely cranked. I took it back to auto zone and she said it was dead.

So I got some kind of pro ration on the previous battery and looks like my problem has been solved.

 

Was it an off brand? Cause like I said Interstate MegaTron has a pretty damn good warranty, never had issues replacing mine.

 

I don't recall. It wasn't an interstate battery. It also lasted a little over 4 years.

 

Well that's why they said your battery was fine the first time they tested it, because they didn't want to pro rate it.

There's two ways to test a battery, with a scanner or a carbon pile tester. The scanner is much easier on the battery and you get a lot of "false passes" with it. The carbon pile will absolutely kill a weak battery and it will fail.

Glad your problem is solved...one other thing...these cars are hard on batteries and it takes a battery that is fully charged to crank these cars.

 

Agreed. So, 4 years out of a battery is not too bad. The AC Delco Professional Gold battery I purchased comes with 42 month free replacement and pro rated after that for something like 84 months.

 

Pro rated is key with these cars, I believe I just bought a battery with a two year warranty and pro rated for four. My last battery lasted 2 years (Interstate).

 

I'm using the Optima Yellow top 34/78

 

How long have you owned it and any issues? All the car forums are bemoaning them, due to early failures and issues. Apparently ever since they moved production to Mexico. There's been quite a few posts here at CL with similar issues.

 

I'm still on the original Panasonic on my 2010. The car was actually driven off the lot at the end of 2009. Still going. When I bought the car near Thanksgiving 2014, the dealer that inspected said the same thing ... "needs a battery." 1.25 years later, no battery problems.

 

Sounds like these cars are "real hard on batteries." When they tell you you need a new battery, it is often based on the State Of Charge becoming low. When the SOC is low it has less reserve power and may not allow you to operate accessories for a long time when the engine is not running.

 

I used to run a red top as recommended by the shop but after burning one every year for 3 straight years I gave up and went with an Interstate MegaTron Plus and although I've had to replace it once I'm very happy with the performance.

I'd like to hear more feedback on the yellow tops as well though.