'05 battery life?

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rgcary

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How long can we typically expect a '05 limited v6 4Runner battery to last? I know there are many variables here, but I'm just wondering. I'm running on the original battery at 60,600 miles and the vehicle is always garaged, not running idle, nor in the acc position listening to the radio with all stock electronics. We're on the East coast area where we have a good combination of the 4 seasons, but not too extreme.

What battery is a good choice to get at a decent price and warranty? I've read Consumer Reports, but I don't know the specs of the current battery, i.e. size 65, 75, 24/24F, etc.

Thanks,

Rick
 
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rgcary said:
How long can we typically expect a '05 limited v6 4Runner battery to last? I know there are many variables here, but I'm just wondering. I'm running on the original battery at 60,600 miles and the vehicle is always garaged, not running idle, nor in the acc position listening to the radio with all stock electronics. We're on the East coast area where we have a good combination of the 4 seasons, but not too extreme.

What battery is a good choice to get at a decent price and warranty? I've read Consumer Reports, but I don't know the specs of the current battery, i.e. size 65, 75, 24/24F, etc.

Thanks,

Rick
Click to expand...

The OE Panasonic is amazing... Many get a full 5-6 years and more. A popular replacement is the Optima. If you search Optima amny posts will come up some of which will discuss the BCI Group Size options.
 
The Toyota TrueStart size 27F is like a good bet (7 year warranty!). The 4runner takes a size 24F or the larger 27F. For the Optima you want 34R. There are lots of negative reviews of the Optima (and lots of positive ones too) so if you can't justify it's benfits, you might want to stick with a conventional battery.
 
rgcary said:
How long can we typically expect a '05 limited v6 4Runner battery to last? I know there are many variables here, but I'm just wondering. I'm running on the original battery at 60,600 miles and the vehicle is always garaged, not running idle, nor in the acc position listening to the radio with all stock electronics. We're on the East coast area where we have a good combination of the 4 seasons, but not too extreme.

What battery is a good choice to get at a decent price and warranty? I've read Consumer Reports, but I don't know the specs of the current battery, i.e. size 65, 75, 24/24F, etc.

Thanks,

Rick
Click to expand...

My '04 still has the original battery and it show no signs of dying...yet. But still, I've been researching my options and I came to one conclusion: Since the OEM Panasonic is not available for purchase in the U.S., the ONLY other place that you can buy an exact replacement is at your Toyota dealer. Just to clarify, when I say exact replacement, I'm talking about a battery that is the same exact size, with the same (or better) Cold Cranking Amps, and the terminals in the correct location. See, we have a relatively odd battery because of the combination of group size, reverse terminals, and a high CCA rating. NOBODY else sells a battery that matches the OEM battery other than Toyota. The good news is that the battery only costs about $99 from the Toyota dealer... but I'm not sure if it is as good as the OEM Panasonic.
 
ToyTech99 said:
My '04 still has the original battery and it show no signs of dying...yet. But still, I've been researching my options and I came to one conclusion: Since the OEM Panasonic is not available for purchase in the U.S., the ONLY other place that you can buy an exact replacement is at your Toyota dealer. Just to clarify, when I say exact replacement, I'm talking about a battery that is the same exact size, with the same (or better) Cold Cranking Amps, and the terminals in the correct location. See, we have a relatively odd battery because of the combination of group size, reverse terminals, and a high CCA rating. NOBODY else sells a battery that matches the OEM battery other than Toyota. The good news is that the battery only costs about $99 from the Toyota dealer... but I'm not sure if it is as good as the OEM Panasonic.
Click to expand...

Say what?

Toyota's going to sell you a size 24F Truestart battery, currently OEM'd by Johnson Controls, based on the last information I saw. According to Toyota's own documents, that 24F is only spec'd for 575 CCA and has a 2/5 warranty.

Nothing wrong with JCI batteries. In fact, the Duralast Gold 24F with 750 CCA and a 3/5 warranty for $85 is where I spent my money when my 6 year old Panasonic finally gave up. Another JCI, the Interstate Megatron 24F has 800 CCA with a SRP of $114.

BTW, Optima is also made by JCI. I personally couldn't justify nearly double the price just to get a dry cell with less warranty. If you're a gambler, Amazon usually has the 34R for much less than *authorized* dealers, but there's some question about who's going to handle the warranty, if you need it. Interpreted literally, Optima says you're SOL.

RGCARY, battery life is more a function of your driving habits than mileage. It's mostly about whether or not the battery has time to recharge each time you start the vehicle along with maintaing the acid level. I was kind of surprised back in July when I noticed the "eyeball" legend said my fluid was low. Hmm, low fluid on a maintenance free battery...google...google...turns out the Panasonic, as do most flooded cell "maintenance free" batteries, actually had filler caps hidden under the stickers. I added nearly half a gallon of distilled water to the Panny. It lasted until October when I left it parked for 8 straight days...just didn't have quite enough juice to turn the starter over after sitting that long. Even then, I probably could have slapped the charger on it and squeezed out a few more months had I not needed to drive it immediately. Who knows how long it would have lasted if I'd checked the fluid level sooner than 6 years.

-Brent
 
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riverwolf said:
Say what?

Toyota's going to sell you a size 24F Truestart battery, currently OEM'd by Johnson Controls, based on the last information I saw.
-Brent
Click to expand...


Um....no. Toyota is going to sell me a 27F TrueStart Battery, which is physically the same size as my OEM Panasonic. It also is rated at 710 CCA and 165 minute reserve capacity, just like the Panasonic that comes in the 4Runner. If I remember correctly, it also has a 7-year warranty. The 24F is a smaller battery, with lower CCA, and is a very common size so it's available everywhere.

The 27F from Toyota is the ONLY battery available that is the same size, has the same reversed terminals, and has the same CCA rating as the Panasonic battery originally installed in 4th gen 4Runners.

If you know of another source, let me know. I certainly couldn't find one anywhere other than the Toyota dealer.
 
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I replaced the battery on my 2001 earlier this year, 8 years. My 2004 is going strong, but I guess maybe 2011 to 2012, 7 or 8 years?
 
The original Panasonic battery in my 4Runner is still going strong. A couple of years ago I checked and topped up the cells in the battery after I noticed that even though it is "maintenance free" it could and NEEDED to be filled. My 4Runner is not my daily driver during most of the year. I have no doubt what-so-ever that the Battery Tender charger I use contributes to the extended battery life in all my vehicles (12 years, 10 years, 9 years, 5+ years in the 4Runner).
 
Thank you.

Thanks to all of you who replied. It was a big help! I think I'll stick with the Toyota battery as I was unaware of the reverse terminals. As long as it has a lot of CCA and a very good warranty I'm fine. I was unaware of the battery needing water? Did anyone else fill their "maintenance free" battery with distilled water?

Rick
 
I bought a replacement battery at Walmart for my '04 (bought 11/03). I live in the north east and drive onto the beach. After a day in the cold rain/wind, the car hesitated on startup and I am not one to chance a dead battery. The walmart Maxx 24-FN is a little taller and width-wise a little shorter than the panasonic. It's got 700 cold crank amps and should last me five years. Cost was 75 bucks.

The costco batteries are good too, but they haven't carried the alternate battery with the higher CCA's. Their price was around 58 bucks.

Check the panasonic's color indicator. If it's nice and blue, you should be good for another season.
 
color indicator:

kimboy said:
I bought a replacement battery at Walmart for my '04 (bought 11/03). I live in the north east and drive onto the beach. After a day in the cold rain/wind, the car hesitated on startup and I am not one to chance a dead battery. The walmart Maxx 24-FN is a little taller and width-wise a little shorter than the panasonic. It's got 700 cold crank amps and should last me five years. Cost was 75 bucks.

The costco batteries are good too, but they haven't carried the alternate battery with the higher CCA's. Their price was around 58 bucks.

Check the panasonic's color indicator. If it's nice and blue, you should be good for another season.
Click to expand...

You know I've looked at that panasonic color ind on my battery and I'll be darn if I can even see a light on this thing. It looks like there is no light, that's what else makes me question the battery. I've not had any problems starting the 4Runner, but the cold season is just around the corner here and I'm not one to chance a dead battery either, especially with an infant! I carry a battery jumper w/me though...
 
rgcary said:
Thanks to all of you who replied. It was a big help! I think I'll stick with the Toyota battery as I was unaware of the reverse terminals. As long as it has a lot of CCA and a very good warranty I'm fine. I was unaware of the battery needing water? Did anyone else fill their "maintenance free" battery with distilled water?

Rick
Click to expand...

Yeah, most people think of the OEM batteries as maintenance-free, but in reality they are not. A truly maintenace-free battery is completely sealed and does not have removable vent caps. It's always a good idea to take a look at the water level in the OEM battery and add distilled water if needed. The battery in my '04 has not needed any water added.

BTW, if you do decide to go with the Toyota TrueStart, just make sure you specify the 27F version, otherwise they'll probably give you the 24F instead. The 27F gives you better CCA and longer reserve capacity as well, and it should be $99 from your local Toyota dealer.
 
rgcary said:
How long can we typically expect a '05 limited v6 4Runner battery to last? I know there are many variables here, but I'm just wondering. I'm running on the original battery at 60,600 miles and the vehicle is always garaged, not running idle, nor in the acc position listening to the radio with all stock electronics. We're on the East coast area where we have a good combination of the 4 seasons, but not too extreme.

What battery is a good choice to get at a decent price and warranty? I've read Consumer Reports, but I don't know the specs of the current battery, i.e. size 65, 75, 24/24F, etc.

Thanks,

Rick
Click to expand...
Here are your original battery specs....http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37607
 
I still have the original in my '04. This is one area Toyota didn't cheap out. I think this is actually a heavy duty Group 31 by the codes. I'll look at replacing it with an Optima D31A if it fits (for the height and cables) or use my current D31T (with additional posts) that is my second battery. Or I might cheap out with a standard battery to save the $$$. Time to go look under the hood again...
 
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Kmvreter said:
I still have the original in my '04. This is one area Toyota didn't cheap out. I think this is actually a heavy duty Group 31 by the codes. I'll look at replacing it with an Optima D31A if it fits (for the height and cables) or use my current D31T (with additional posts) that is my second battery. Or I might cheap out with a standard battery to save the $$$. Time to go look under the hood again...
Click to expand...


The OEM Panasonic is rated using the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) instead the group size we use over here (BCI). So you have to know the conversion from one to the other. The 4Runner's Panasonic is 75D31L (JIS) which matches with 27F (BCI). So as long as you swap in a 27F, you should have the correct size and correct CCA and RC. And don't forget what I said earlier---you can buy one of these batteries from your local Toyota dealer for about a hundred bucks, which is not a bad deal for such a big battery with those specs.
 
I haven't added distilled water on my batteries yet either. But I have in the past for the OEM maintenance free batteries and replacement maintenance free.

IMO, maintenance free is just a marketing gimmick and so you'll forget about the battery and need a replacement after its warranty period.
 
Uneek said:
I haven't added distilled water on my batteries yet either. But I have in the past for the OEM maintenance free batteries and replacement maintenance free.

IMO, maintenance free is just a marketing gimmick and so you'll forget about the battery and need a replacement after its warranty period.
Click to expand...

Yes, but some of those "maintenance free" batteries are actually completely sealed, without any way to check or add water.
 
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