Need some battery advice...

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psa5555

New member
Wife jumped in the T4R last evening at work, and it wouldn't start. Two or three attempts later, if finally starts for her. I poked around last night, battery was 12.37V sitting in the garage, and charging around 13.9 V when running. Let it sit all night in the garage and its 12.11V this morning an dropped to 9.7V when I started it.

Appears to me, that this battery is weak, and on its way out. I am disappointed with the longevity for a vehicle that is 2018 with only 61000kms. Definitely the shortest lived OEM battery I have every gotten in a vehicle. Now... is this because of all the extra electronics, screen, navigation, etc. found in today's vehicles or did I just get a bad one?

Advice I'm looking for, is what to replace it with? I see lots of posts about Northstar and Odessey Batteries, at a premium price, especially here in Canada. I was thinking of putting a Costco Battery in. I've had good luck in the past, and their warranty is great. My Costco also has the Optima batteries, but like the others mentioned, are they really worth the extra cost? Maybe, if all the electronics are the potential cause.

I know everyone has a differing opinions on batteries, just curious what has worked for you. I just need something reliable that will make it start! Suggestions and opinions welcomed. I threw my jumpstarter in, and get to drive it for a couple days to see it is replicates her issue, before I just yank the battery out and try that. I just got to work and its gonna sit out in the yard at -5 Celcius for the next 9 hours... will be curious to see what is reads for voltage this evening.
 
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Did this when my OEM died on my 2014.

Odyssey 34R-PC1500T
Drop in spacer, never looked back!

When the OEM gets weak in my 2021, I’m going to do the same.

YMMV
 
OEM battery lasted me about 3 years. I then used a walmart battery by force. They were the only place opened at midnight. It lasted about 4 years. I then put in a battery from Autozone which is doing fine. I think all the mainstream are about the same life. Plan on every 3-54 years depending on your accessories of course.
 
Truth is most batteries all from the same place
Source: We haul batteries/cores
Its the warranty you're buying. I haven't the need for an Odyssey yet and anything I've bought so far for my vehicles has worked out pretty good for at least 4yrs.
I live in a warm climate though. Also, what happened in the last 5 years where batteries are hitting over $150??
 
Batteries last longest in moderate cold areas, once you get into the extreme cold, though, the cold snaps start to kill them off again. The shortest life expectancy would be in the deep South.
 
generally the comments about the stock panasonic battery are very positive, most people get really long life from them and are disappointed that they can't buy them as replacements in the US
 
Also, a little routine terminal maintenance and cleaning/spraying/tightening will go a long way to help preserve the battery. Bad connections will kill a battery.
Especially with the crappy terminal clamps that are on modern vehicles.

I replaced a corroded clamp on my wifes camry with a marine battery clamp. They are solid like the old style and so much beefier.
 
I bought a used 2018 4runner and they had oem battery installed in 4/20 and it was already out. The car had not been started for a while. Good battery maintenance and using the battery regularly is a very key factor to battery life.
 
Jivewalker said:
Plan on every 3-54 years depending on your accessories of course.
Click to expand...

Damn I hope mine lasts 54 years :laugh:

For OP - I just replaced the stock battery in my 2013 trail with an interstate from Costco. I did not need a bigger battery yet since I do not have a lot of accessories. Like a lot of people already said, most batteries seem to only last 4-5 years.

I can not believe my stock battery lasted more than 6 years. No signs of dying either but thought I would replace just in case. Would probably never go with a battery for that long again.
 
JeuTheIdit said:
Damn I hope mine lasts 54 years :laugh:

For OP - I just replaced the stock battery in my 2013 trail with an interstate from Costco. I did not need a bigger battery yet since I do not have a lot of accessories. Like a lot of people already said, most batteries seem to only last 4-5 years.

I can not believe my stock battery lasted more than 6 years. No signs of dying either but thought I would replace just in case. Would probably never go with a battery for that long again.
Click to expand...

My car batteries routinely lasted 5-7 years in CO and WY.

I barely got 3 years when I lived in central FL.
 
Still on my original battery, but I would go for the cheaper between the costco battery or the duracell from batteries+bulbs, if you have that store over there
 
LandCruiser said:
My car batteries routinely lasted 5-7 years in CO and WY.

I barely got 3 years when I lived in central FL.
Click to expand...

Never occurred to me before that location (I am assuming weather/temperature is the root cause?) might be a factor in battery life lol. Learn something new every day. I am in MN and always seem to get 4-5 years.
 
JeuTheIdit said:
Never occurred to me before that location (I am assuming weather/temperature is the root cause?) might be a factor in battery life lol. Learn something new every day. I am in MN and always seem to get 4-5 years.
Click to expand...

Very hot is very short life.

Moderate cold is long life.

Extreme cold is short life.
 
Battry's

Get about 2 1/2 yrs out of Bosch (pepboys) in the desert heat ! And that's with no xtra stuff running off of it !
 
My experience is the OEM batteries do not last as long as a good aftermarket battery. The dealer always wants more money for an OEM battery than most after market so it makes more sense to me to buy after market.

Interstate actually makes most of the other brands of batteries. Getting a good price at Costco is the way to go.
 
I've had good luck with Interstate batteries on my 3rd gen, last two lasted 6 years before showing any signs of weakness. It's a 5 year warranty I believe. Never had an issue starting in the extreme cold either even on a non cold-weather oem starter
 
Thank you everyone, who took time to share their knowledge and advice. It is very much appreciated!

I checked the battery health again this morning.. still low at 12.21V. I have looked at my options including the Odessey, Optima Red Top, Energizer AGM, Interstate MTP and the Kirkland. At triple the price, I decided against Odessey. The Interstate and Kirklands are almost identical. Costco's 48 Month Free Replacement and 100 month Pro-rating guarantee sold me, and at $119, it seems difficult to go wrong at that price. The Interstate was 50% more $ for basically the same battery, with way less warranty.

I've had a Kirkland battery in my other SUV for the past 4 years, and it has been nothing but rock solid. I guess I will get a chance to test another one out and see if it performs as well.

Again, Thank you all!
 
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