I am new to this forum and glad to be here. I picked up a mint 90 LS 400 and it's been fantastic. I was formerly in the auto industry. I was the Chrysler Corporation Los Angeles District Manager from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1993. I now live in San Diego, I have a wife and 2 wonderful children.

On to my maintenance related question. With the LS 400 being electronic system intensive, I was thinking of buying a strong battery ahead of time as I don't know how old the current battery is. I see that some of you have chosen the Optima(yellow). Why the yellow? red?

I am the type of person who does not mind paying $$$ for the heaviest duty product available. I want a battery that I know will be strong and last. I realize that buying a battery ahead of time may not be thing to do(discharge over time), but I don't know of any places here in San Diego that stocks the Optima. I don't want to wait until my current battery dies and have to settle for something else locally because it will take 1 week or more to have it shipped from an online store.

Also, when I do, in fact change out my battery, will I have to reset anything in the Lexus?

Thx guy's.........

 

Welcome to the site!

Normally you would have to reset many things when replacing the battery. But here's a little trick we use alot at the dealership. Change the battery while the engine is running. I've done it about a hundred times on your model.

Good Luck!

p.s. Do not do this on a LS430. The Lexus Link will think it was in an accident and call for emergency help.

 

Thx Devildog. I see by your call sign your a former Marine? before I joined Chrysler I was a naval officer(1982-1986) I was on the USS New Orleans LPH-11. We deployed twice during that time period. West Pac 1984 and West Pac 1986. We carried a BLT of Marines and a helo squadron. Did you ever deploy on a Gator?

 

Yes, former Marine Sargeant. 85-92. Grunt 0311, Hawk Missle operator 7222, and Stinger Gunner 7212. Yes I have been on a gator many times while being a grunt. Tarawa class, awesome ships. We used them during desert storm.

God Bless America!

Go Navy!

 

DK - If U plan on installing a big stereo or anything that causes a large current draw, then go with the Yellow Top. It's designed for deep cycling applications such as those. If U just want a better & longer lasting battery, the Red Top's fine. They both have the same cold cranking amps ( 750, I believe ) & R available in either top or side post mounts. If U can't find Optimas in S.D. , try www.summitracing.com.

 

DK - Here in San Jose, Pep Boys carries the Optima batteries. Not sure about down by you, I think GS4will might have said Pep Boys in his region of LA doesn't carry them but up here they do. Not a big deal, have the red tops in stock, just go in and pick one up. People here are pretty knowledgeable and I take suggestions very seriously but changing the battery while the engine is running doesn't appeal to me. Reset the radio stations and seat settings, can't be that much work.

 

DK,

welcome to the club....

hey ron...i checked with local pep-boys and the guy told me that they do not carry high-end stuff like the optimas , i also visited costco as jacob from TX said, and i could not find them either. otherwise the $89 price for the red label is very attractive if the costco here have them

 

Hey william - Stranger and stranger. I went to Pep Boys web site just to double check and they list Optimas as one of the brands that they carry. I assumed that would mean all the stores would carry them. Still, $89 is a good price if you can find it. I think I paid more like $115 for the last red top at Pep Boys.

DK - It is a good battery. If you are going to pay a premium you ought to at least get something different and my experience, like a lot of folks here, is that the Optima is just that little bit better. My first experience was with a van that can sit for extended periods of time without use and the Optima is the only battery that we haven't had to jump/recharge to get going.

 

Ron,

thanks for the tip, i will check the pepboy site later on as well. the dealer gave me a new battery free of charge several months ago, so i will seee how long this one lasts..

 

Welcome to the forum, Nice to have you on board. I hope you enjoy your new LS400. What do you guys think of the Duralast batteries that Autozone sells?

 

I found out Sam's Club carry Champion battery for the LS4 . (model 27F) and it cost only $50.00 and has 36 months free replacement warranty and I think this is the best deal I have even seen. Costco do not carry battery for the LS4. Oh by the way, Is Champion battery any good?

 

Champion is pretty good for most peoples needs. And that is a great deal as well, and you cant go wrong with that warranty as well.