Battery Replacement - DIY or Dealer?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 779
Likes: 261
From: MA
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Two thoughts here. First is if you're going to believe Scotty saying that the computer in your car knows how old your battery is and will charge accordingly. Thus, you need a dongle to be able to update your computer. Either believe him or Viktor that it's not necessary. Of course it might be different for different models and years of your Lexus. That's a question we might ask of Viktor.
Second, I don't see where there is a problem with the idea mentioned above of hooking up your trickle charger to your battery leads when you remove them from the old battery. That will keep some charge going into the car's system just as the battery would have done and so no settings on anything would change. Not your radio or steering wheel pre-set.
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Two thoughts here. First is if you're going to believe Scotty saying that the computer in your car knows how old your battery is and will charge accordingly. Thus, you need a dongle to be able to update your computer. Either believe him or Viktor that it's not necessary. Of course it might be different for different models and years of your Lexus. That's a question we might ask of Viktor.
Second, I don't see where there is a problem with the idea mentioned above of hooking up your trickle charger to your battery leads when you remove them from the old battery. That will keep some charge going into the car's system just as the battery would have done and so no settings on anything would change. Not your radio or steering wheel pre-set.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: CA
It all depends on the car. If it is an old car, you can easily do it by yourself. If it is a new car, better go to a car repair shop. They will surely do it correctly. But if you will want to do it all by yourself, I suggest you visit this website: cararac.com. There you will find all the information about the batteries of every car. With the help of that website, I learned how to change the battery in my car and also found out what type of battery is better for the electric system I have in my car so that everything would work better.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 779
Likes: 261
From: MA
It all depends on the car. If it is an old car, you can easily do it by yourself. If it is a new car, better go to a car repair shop. They will surely do it correctly. But if you will want to do it all by yourself, I suggest you visit this website: cararac.com. There you will find all the information about the batteries of every car. With the help of that website, I learned how to change the battery in my car and also found out what type of battery is better for the electric system I have in my car so that everything would work better.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
A battery has historically been a weak point for an automotive electrical system. The newer batteries like the AGM's are very expensive but provide better efficiency and reliability. Maybe over time they will become the standard and less expensive. We will see.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 148
Likes: 15
From: YYC
Is AGM battery crap?
Hey guys I just installed a AGM battery on my 2019 and posted on a Facebook group and they all say it’s crap, return it and get a regular one etc etc.. Did I make a mistake? Should I return it?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 747
Likes: 459
From: WV
Ah, you might not want to believe everything you read on the Book of Faces. Did the internet mavens give any reason for why an AGM battery is "crap?" AGM batteries are fairly common in vehicles with engine auto stop/start. As an aside, was the battery in your 2019 already dead? Seems like a very short life.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,992
Likes: 4,312
From: Alberta
Which brand did you get? I have an AGM battery it works fine (Canadian Tire brand) I know people with Toyota hybrids equipped with an AGM battery no issues. I've read AGM doesn't hold up well in hot climates.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 148
Likes: 15
From: YYC
Ah, you might not want to believe everything you read on the Book of Faces. Did the internet mavens give any reason for why an AGM battery is "crap?" AGM batteries are fairly common in vehicles with engine auto stop/start. As an aside, was the battery in your 2019 already dead? Seems like a very short life.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 148
Likes: 15
From: YYC
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 839
From: Idaho
I believe ALL Toyota/Lexus hybrids use an AGM battery. I realize the demand on a 12V battery isn’t the same in a hybrid as it isn’t used to start the internal combustion engine, but I can’t imagine why it would matter so long as it has sufficient cold cranking amps to meet vehicle manufacturer’s specs.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 429
Likes: 105
From: Florida
I have a 2016 RX350. The battery was changed in 2018 by the Lexus Dealership. Two months the battery failed. Lexus replaced the battery and charged 200 dollars. But I still had 50 percent of the battery warranty left. So I paid 100 dollars.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,593
Likes: 3,411
From: NJ
Your original battery didn't last long. We still have the OEM in our 2017 RX but I think I will replace it before the winter just as preventive.