Replacement Battery?

[ron in sc]

I had the battery in my new 2012, about two months old go flat. I noticed when I took it to the dealer it was quite light comparied to the batterys I'm used to dealing with.

I'm considering not replacing under warranty with OEM battery and buying a higher quality battery.

Any suggestions? Anyone gone this route?

Edited:
Just advised by dealer that battery has a bad cell and needs to be replaced.

 

[Titanpat57]

Some of us have switched over to sears Platinum AGM/group 31..some have used Odyssey, and others have used Optimum. It depends what your needs are (i.e. are going to add a fridge, or some addtional lighting ?) so we have upgraded to a battery that allows us to drain and recharge a battery that is designed for that usage, a deep cycle battery. Most standard starting batteries are only good at turning over the engine(higher CCA, known as cold cranking amps), and are not designed at be repeatedly drained.

If their going replace it, you can always save it for a second battery back up and add another battery down the road.

 

[jspagna1]

I've had good luck with both Interstate and Die Hard batteries.

 

[4RBob]

the OEM battery in our 4th Gen is 9 years old and has close to 200,000 miles on it.

it's a Panasonic. i didn't notice, did they stop using that battery in the 5th Gen?

 

[ron in sc]

Part of the reason I was going to upgrade and not have it replaced under warranty was because the dealer service people said the car had to be at the dealer with the battery that does not work in the vehicle.

I said you mean I have to have it tow in? They said yes. I said no that was far to time consuming for me and unnecessary. Besides they have the battery and told me the battery was bad. They said for it to be replaced under warranty Toyota required a technican to test the battery in the car or something like that.

I told them it would not be a good idea to require me to have the vehicle at the dealership. I went on to explain to them that a satisfied custumer will tell a few people about an experience they had where they were satisfied. But a disatisfied customer will tell everyone they know when they feel they have not been treated fairly or reasonably. No movement.

Time to move up the food chain. Asked if they would be kind enough to let me speak with the service manager.


I met with the service manager and before I could even finish explaining the situation he say no problem I'd be happy to give you a new battery. Just go by part dept. and ask Brian to get you the new battery.

New battery is a True Start made by Interstate for Toyota. It has higher rating for CCA and the like than the Panasonic. The new battery was also heavier.

I am a satisfied customer I just needed to move up the food chain to someone who had a better perspective and appreciation of my situation. The vehicle is only about 2 month old and has on 750 miles on it.

 

[RandyDaytona]

I've had good luck with both Interstate and Die Hard batteries.

Just ordered an Interstate battery. I have them in all my vehicles and am not waiting for the stock cheap battery to die - like the last one in my brand-new (then) Tundra did, in line for the ferry in Seattle, no less. Not fun!

 

[Atlanta_man]

The True Start I got from the dealer was a dud. Lasted a few months. Did not want another even if they replaced it for free.

I punted and went to Napa for their top of the line whatever it was.

 

[thebwlife]

What group is the factory battery?

 

[ron in sc]

Did not want another even if they replaced it for free

My first battery which went flat at about 2 months was a Panasonic. I sure hope the Interstate True Start will not be a dud.