Need battery, NOT maintenance free

[arthurm]

So, my 2013 has its original 24F battery which is finally coming to end of life.

I've been searching for a replacement and the only one that is NOT the maintenance-free crap type is Toyota's own 24F, part# 00544-24FT2-530.

I'm trying to keep the cost around $150, which fits Toyota's 60-month 24F at $139. CCA is only 530 on that one but I've never had a starting issue with the OEM here in Boston (that one was 550CCA).

Interstate may also have serviceable caps but reading up on that brand pretty much says it's become crap: no longer made in US by Johnson.

Can anyone recommend anything else, lead acid only?

 

[Humble Leader]

the toyota replacement is only 530CCA? my replacements have had 650CCA. maybe it's a northern thing but I've always had good experiences with toyota and lexus batteries.

 

[arthurm]

00544-24F60-575
84 month
575 CCA
around $200

00544-24FT2-530
60 month
530 CCA
around $140

Original
Panasonic 80D26L-MF
550 CCA
Same as Honda part# 31500-SS0-A02, long superceded by several prt numbers. I am finding prices lower for the Honda. But, can't tell without visiting dealers if they're sealed or not; likely sealed.

 

[ejesauer]

You did very good with your original battery. Regardless of what is stamped on the side of the battery, Toyota has changed manufactures at least twice since then I think. So don't expect the same longevity or performance from their current batteries.

You likely won't beat the warranty at the price point Toyota offers either. If you want more CCA, you'll have to forget that long of a warranty for sure.

Some that I have found that have maintenance caps (Flooded Lead Acid):

Advance Auto has Die Hard Gold and Silver (around $200, 650-750 CCA)

Walmart Everstart value, plus and maxx (Maxx is 3 yr warranty, 750 CCA, $139) I have had good luck with the Maxx. They used to have a 5 yr warranty, but in the last couple of years backed that off to 3.

Continental / Centennial branded battery 24F-85 (about $125, 700 CCA)

These are probably all made by the same company like Johnson Controls, Clarios, Exide or East Penn. My guess is that they are probably Clarios. They tend to be who is making the big box store type stuff.

 

[arthurm]

I had several Walmart ones with good success. But, despite the images on their website, they're all maintenance free now. I don't imind that on our Rav4 but I want to maintain my battery and get more life from it. This maintenance free scam is pathetic.

Johnson, Clarios I believe are no longer made in the US; only East Penn (Deka) is. So, the drop in warranties follows the disposable nature of these, now more so with offshore sourcing and less quality.

I'll look into the other you noted.

 

[AuSeeker]

I had several Walmart ones with good success. But, despite the images on their website, they're all maintenance free now. I don't imind that on our Rav4 but I want to maintain my battery and get more life from it. This maintenance free scam is pathetic.

Johnson, Clarios I believe are no longer made in the US; only East Penn (Deka) is. So, the drop in warranties follows the disposable nature of these, now more so with offshore sourcing and less quality.

I'll look into the other you noted.

All the so called "Maintenance Free" batteries I have ever purchased I was able to still pry the tops (usually 2 flat tops, 1 each for 3 cells) off and maintain the acid levels in each cell.

Last one was a Walmart Everstart Maxx battery purchased about 1 1/2 years ago.

Also just an FYI, Johnson Control no longer makes batteries, they sold their battery division about 6 years ago to Brookfield Business Partners in 2018 who created a new company called Clarios, so that's where Clarios came from.

 

[ejesauer]

All the so called "Maintenance Free" batteries I have ever purchased I was able to still pry the tops (usually 2 flat tops, 1 each for 3 cells) off and maintain the acid levels in each cell.

Last one was a Walmart Everstart Maxx battery purchased about 1 1/2 years ago.

Also just an FYI, Johnson Control no longer makes batteries, they sold their battery division about 6 years ago to Brookfield Business Partners in 2018 who created a new company called Clarios, so that's where Clarios came from.

I've had the same experience with the Maxx.

The manufactures are hard to keep track of anymore for sure. I think the Continental/Centennial batteries are what used to be (or currently is post bankruptcy) Exide. I just bought a Duralast Gold last a couple of months ago for my Tundra and I think it is a Clarios. the OEM TrueStart died real sudden. If I could have made it to the Toyota dealer across town, I would have bought the TrueStart, but I didn't think I could make it and the "Zone" was just a couple of blocks away.

That is the worst part about the TrueStart batteries currently. They act fine and test fine and then die without any warning. If you do some googling, you'll see all kinds of folks saying the same. I had just tested mine a couple of weeks before it decided to take a dump.

 

[RRosco]

WalMart Maxx. The stores are everywhere and the warranty exchange is easy if needed.