Battery Replacement - DIY or Dealer?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 22
Likes: 4
From: Canada
Dead Battery
FYI.
I have a 2022 Lexus RX 350. I drove the car home and left it in the garage for one week - the battery was dead and it turned out that the car was put on a flatbed and brought back to the dealer (Barrie Ontario). The dealer replaced the battery - no issue. Now on November 12 (2024) I returned from a 3 week vacation and guess what? The battery was dead and had to be boosted. Crazy that I can’t leave the car for three weeks without the battery dying. Nothing that I can control was left on.
Now if I leave again for a few weeks I will have to either leave the battery on a tender, disconnect the cables from the terminals (not a good option) or simply position it in my garage such that it can get ready to boost it when I get back.
Has this happened to anyone else?
I have a 2022 Lexus RX 350. I drove the car home and left it in the garage for one week - the battery was dead and it turned out that the car was put on a flatbed and brought back to the dealer (Barrie Ontario). The dealer replaced the battery - no issue. Now on November 12 (2024) I returned from a 3 week vacation and guess what? The battery was dead and had to be boosted. Crazy that I can’t leave the car for three weeks without the battery dying. Nothing that I can control was left on.
Now if I leave again for a few weeks I will have to either leave the battery on a tender, disconnect the cables from the terminals (not a good option) or simply position it in my garage such that it can get ready to boost it when I get back.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 581
From: New York
FYI.
I have a 2022 Lexus RX 350. I drove the car home and left it in the garage for one week - the battery was dead and it turned out that the car was put on a flatbed and brought back to the dealer (Barrie Ontario). The dealer replaced the battery - no issue. Now on November 12 (2024) I returned from a 3 week vacation and guess what? The battery was dead and had to be boosted. Crazy that I can’t leave the car for three weeks without the battery dying. Nothing that I can control was left on.
Now if I leave again for a few weeks I will have to either leave the battery on a tender, disconnect the cables from the terminals (not a good option) or simply position it in my garage such that it can get ready to boost it when I get back.
Has this happened to anyone else?
I have a 2022 Lexus RX 350. I drove the car home and left it in the garage for one week - the battery was dead and it turned out that the car was put on a flatbed and brought back to the dealer (Barrie Ontario). The dealer replaced the battery - no issue. Now on November 12 (2024) I returned from a 3 week vacation and guess what? The battery was dead and had to be boosted. Crazy that I can’t leave the car for three weeks without the battery dying. Nothing that I can control was left on.
Now if I leave again for a few weeks I will have to either leave the battery on a tender, disconnect the cables from the terminals (not a good option) or simply position it in my garage such that it can get ready to boost it when I get back.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 22
Likes: 4
From: Canada
I had the same problem with a Honda CRV i bought. Even though you turn the car off, there are still things that use electric. So, when I had to let it sit for a couple of weeks, I just put a battery tender on it and no, you don't have to disconnect the battery. I never had a problem after that.
There must be a lot of electronic systems running, which I understand given the computer complexities. I will just have to do as you suggest, which is to put on a tender during that period of time. Small price to pay for such a beautiful vehicle.
SOC will vary due to temperature and the capacity of the battery's health. The more you use it, the SOC % will go down over time. For my rule of thumb, if the SOC % goes down into the 60's range, I am replacing it.
Pit Crew
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 129
Likes: 70
From: NJ
This got me wondering about the battery in our 2016 RX350. The records on MyLexus show a previous owner (we are owner #3) had the battery replaced in April 2019. I got the battery and alternator tested at a local car parts place and it tested good. Apparently, the Lexus battery has an 84 month warranty. I didn't even know such batteries existed. I plan to test it again if we ever get a really cold day here in NJ ever again.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 899
Likes: 56
From: IL
Well I waited too long! Sunday came out of a restaurant it was 5 degrees out, pushed the ignition button and got nothing. Fortunately a guy saw my hood up and had a portable jump starter. Thing was smaller than a laptop. Car started right away. I asked him if he knew where I could replace the battery on a Sunday. He said Auto Zone. Found the nearest one and they installed it. I asked him if they hook up power to the car while doing the replacement he said no. The battery was disconnected for about a half hour. He replaced it and the car started. i go to pull out and my big screen was dark. I turn around to go inside and the screen came back. Didn't lose my radio stations and my phone connected to the car. Not sure if I should have things checked out at the dealer.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 22
Likes: 4
From: Canada
I read that when changing a battery, a second one should be connected so you don’t lose all the previous factory connections and settings. Given that info, I would only have a dealer change the battery (unlike the “old days”). I would recommend you have your dealer check things out just to be safe. The electronics are finicky. Hope that helps.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 796
Likes: 584
From: CT
I read that when changing a battery, a second one should be connected so you don’t lose all the previous factory connections and settings. Given that info, I would only have a dealer change the battery (unlike the “old days”). I would recommend you have your dealer check things out just to be safe. The electronics are finicky. Hope that helps.
I changed mine (see post #181 above) and had no problem with any electronics. No memory items needed reset.
Viktor video shows the same and he even indicates that at the shop (his previous dealership gig), they never use a back up. Just remove and replace. Just my experience.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
I changed my battery 4 years ago. Have the new one close at hand. Take the old one out and put the new one in. Hook up the cables and you are in business. Not rocket science. Don't monkey around and just get it done. You should have no problems.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Just a recommend on batteries. Costco batteries are no longer 3-year replacement, but 3 years pro-rated. Probably from all the customers returning batteries around the 3 year mark for an exchange. However, Walmart higher end batteries offer a 3 (some 4) year replacement. The price is not all that much more than Costco.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 904
From: Ontario
Just a recommend on batteries. Costco batteries are no longer 3-year replacement, but 3 years pro-rated. Probably from all the customers returning batteries around the 3 year mark for an exchange. However, Walmart higher end batteries offer a 3 (some 4) year replacement. The price is not all that much more than Costco.
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