[UoD]

I usually swear by Interstate brand batteries --- I have used them in all of my previous vehicles.

The stock battery on my 2005 4Runner finally needs to be changed out. I called to check prices at the local Interstate store and the Toyota dealership (fully expecting the dealership to be crazy expensive) ..... and I was a bit surprised :


Toyota Dealership :
72 month : 79.95
84 month : 99.95

Interstate :
75month : 99.95
85 month : 113.95


So -- now I am a bit torn. I gotta figure that Toyota is using good batteries in their vehicles. So, the battery from the dealership can't be that bad. But, I usually do swear by Interstate. Do I go with the cheaper Toyota branded battery, or do I shell out a bit more for Interstate? This would be an easy choice if the Interstate was the cheaper of the two ... but now I don't know.

Hopefully someone with a good opinion can answer soon I am going to try to run out during lunch and pick one up.

[UoD]

Ok --- spent a good 30 minutes searching around other forums and what not.

From what I gather, the original Panasonic branded battery (which is what is currently in my TR4... dead) is not a bad battery. BUT --- Toyota dealerships don't actually carry this battery as a replacement. They usually carry some cheaper, Toyota branded battery. Apparently, these suck pretty hard. Can anyone here confirm this?

I am thinking an Interstate Megatron Plus is in my future.

[CJ3Flyr]

Originally Posted by UoD

Ok --- spent a good 30 minutes searching around other forums and what not.

From what I gather, the original Panasonic branded battery (which is what is currently in my TR4... dead) is not a bad battery. BUT --- Toyota dealerships don't actually carry this battery as a replacement. They usually carry some cheaper, Toyota branded battery. Apparently, these suck pretty hard. Can anyone here confirm this?

I am thinking an Interstate Megatron Plus is in my future.

True... The OE Panasonic is not available in the US. I can't speak for the quality of the Toyota replacement batteries. I can say many go with Optima's and others. I am sure the Interstate is a fine choice.

[wolfgang]

Interstate batteries are rated good as are COSTCO (Johnson Controls make them) batteries. Consumer Reports did recent test. I think the COSTCO one is $65 if you are a member.

[Uneek]

Check this thread, '05 battery life?

Supposedly, the battery at the Toyota dealer has the same or better specs than OEM Panasonic.

[raydouble]

I'd say you didn't get the 72 months out of the OE battery.

5 years isn't great for battery life.

[UoD]

Thanks for the info everyone. I ended up getting an Interstate MTP-27F. It seems to match the original Pansonic specs just exactly.


It scared me for a bit when I first drove it after replacing the battery. The auto window features didn't work, and the car shifted weird. Then, I remembered that the windows needed to be reprogrammed, and the car had to relearn my driving habits.

[buch75]

I got 8yrs out of my Panasonic OE battery. (have an '02 Limited)

bought the replacement battery from the dealer, works fine.

[K.C.]

I'm still on my original OEM Panasonic Battery.

On my other cars...I've replaced them w/ Costco because of the price.

However...w/ my 4Runner when I need to replace the battery, I'm most likely going w/ Interstate or Die Hard.

Things to consider when buying a battery are...

...
- How long you're going to keep the vehicle
- If you are running a lot of electronics
- Cranking Amp
- Cold Cranking Amp

[toto]

I've seen good comments in other forums about the better battery at the Toyota dealers (the 84 month). It's not identical to the Panasonic from Japan, but it's darn close. Price is reasonable, too, unlike many OEM parts.

[chayos00]

Whenever I've replaced batteries on my other previous vehicles I've always used the Autozone Duralast Gold batteries with the most CCA that I can fit in those vehicles! Never had a problem with them.

[Will_4R]

Originally Posted by chayos00

Whenever I've replaced batteries on my other previous vehicles I've always used the Autozone Duralast Gold batteries with the most CCA that I can fit in those vehicles! Never had a problem with them.

Why do you care about CCA if you are in AZ? Wouldn't you rather maximize your RC?

[krravi]

What do you guys think about this Panasonic Battery?

Amazon.com: Panasonic LC-R1233P Black Large 12V 33Ah VRLA Battery with Nut and Bolt Terminal: Automotive

[chayos00]

Originally Posted by Will_4R

Why do you care about CCA if you are in AZ? Wouldn't you rather maximize your RC?

Since I lived in AZ, I haven't had to replace any batteries yet, when I lived in Clovis, NM (high desert). It would get down to sub zero temps, sometimes we would get in the single digits, I do even remember sub 0 temps once. I could feel my truck wouldn't even roll out of our sloped driveway when it was around zero degrees, I had to put in reverse and back down my hill instead of just in neutral. lol

I also go for higher CCA, as I've always had 500-1000W amps running in my truck. I wouldn't get any dimming of my headlights after getting those kind of batteries.

[chayos00]

Originally Posted by krravi

What do you guys think about this Panasonic Battery?

Amazon.com: Panasonic LC-R1233P Black Large 12V 33Ah VRLA Battery with Nut and Bolt Terminal: Automotive

Doesn't look like it's designed for car purposes. Check out the spec sheet on it. Appears to be used for main and standby power supplies.

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/..._LC-R1233P.pdf

Plus you could buy the duralast batteries cheaper at autozone, they have been champs for me. The only problem I have had with one was when my wife rear ended a car, the headlight bolt pushed through the battery, and autozone warrantied the battery as damaged.... lol, I only had to pay the prorated price for a new one. This was on her old Toyota Tercel.