TruStart vs NAPA replacement battey

[Roadking]

Hi all,

Anybody use the dealer TruStart replacement batteries? I was proactively battery shopping Friday and a 84 month NAPA battery was $114 (out the door) and the Toyota dealer was $98, (plus he threw in a $10 off coupon)…$88 installed, sounds like a good deal. I guess Interstate Battery makes the TruStart.

I hate to give up the Panasonic, but it's time!

Any thoughts.

 

[Atlanta_man]

My Toyota TruStart lasted a couple months, I did not want another so got the NAPA

 

[MikeInNH]

There's only a couple of companies that make batteries.

I usually buy a diehard from sears or K-Mart. They usually have a sale. I keep my vehicles about 9-10 years (300k + miles) so I only have to buy one replacement battery.

 

[Roadking]

Just curious…
When I buy a replacement battery, other then Toyota’s, someone was mentioning the terminals are reversed? I’m not sure I’d have enough battery cable to cross to the other side…or can I pull some slack up from the underneath?

 

[MikeInNH]

When I buy a replacement battery, other then Toyota’s, someone was mentioning the terminals are reversed?

If the Terminals were reversed then they got the wrong battery. Battery classification has several different parameters (size, CCA, Terminal Type and TERMINAL LOCATION). Sounds like the place he bought the battery from only matched on the size, CCA and terminal type. Make sure they never buy a battery from that place again. They don't know what they are doing or they are just sleaze and don't care about their customers.

A replacement battery will FIT perfectly. And for the record...TOYOTA DOES NOT MAKE BATTERIES. I think Panasonic is the OEM manufacturer for Toyota.

 

[krupnation]

I just had to replace my OEM Panasonic battery (can't believe it lasted 112k miles) and went with an Optima Yellow Top. Found it on Amazon for $75 cheaper than the local parts store. Fitment is perfect although you do have to use the little plastic spacer that comes with it (snaps on the bottom of the battery). I would highly recommend it.

Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery : Amazon.com : Automotive

 

[krupnation]

Just curious…
When I buy a replacement battery, other then Toyota’s, someone was mentioning the terminals are reversed? I’m not sure I’d have enough battery cable to cross to the other side…or can I pull some slack up from the underneath?

Just turn the battery around, it's not rocket science :guitar3:

 

[Harleydoc]

I like deka batteries used them for year for the motorcycle to the lawn mower ad boat my runner will get one as soon and then Toyota one kicks the bucket if you have a battery's plus around they sell deka "aka PENN manufacturing"

 

[MikeInNH]

I just had to replace my OEM Panasonic battery (can't believe it lasted 112k miles)

You must live in the South.

Hotter climates really shorten the life of a battery. Here in the North East....112k miles is far less then what I average for a battery. I just replaced mine less then a year ago with over 170k miles.

 

[badattitude]

Just turn the battery around, it's not rocket science :guitar3:

But the terminals would be on the still be in the wrong place? Red (+) would be close to the fender. The leads would need to cross, that is not recomended.

 

[badattitude]

Hi all,

Anybody use the dealer TruStart replacement batteries? I was proactively battery shopping Friday and a 84 month NAPA battery was $114 (out the door) and the Toyota dealer was $98, (plus he threw in a $10 off coupon)…$88 installed, sounds like a good deal. I guess Interstate Battery makes the TruStart.

I hate to give up the Panasonic, but it's time!

Any thoughts.

They are made by Interstate when purchased as from a dealer as a replacement. The price is right why pay more for non-oem. I'm on my third Toyota battery. They last 5 years not 7.

I noted the 84 month TruStart version has more reserve capacity and CCA than the smaller TruStart. I like mine.

 

[nevada]

bypass the dealer, and go straight to interstate and get a good battery.
forget napa, those are exides...

and ive gotten 7 years out my interstate batteries. 2 years beyond what it was rated for. i'll keep bying those until that changes.

 

[jimithing]

But the terminals would be on the still be in the wrong place? Red (+) would be close to the fender. The leads would need to cross, that is not recomended.

Optima makes some batteries with reversed terminals. I believe it'll have an R after the model number. Not sure if they make a reversed terminal that fits the 4Runner or not, though.

 

[badattitude]

Optima makes some batteries with reversed terminals. I believe it'll have an R after the model number. Not sure if they make a reversed terminal that fits the 4Runner or not, though.

yes, correct

getting the reverse model is prefered to just turning a standard battery around

 

[krupnation]

yes, correct

getting the reverse model is prefered to just turning a standard battery around

guys, I just installed an Optima Yellow Top and just turned it around to match the terminals. I don't understand what everyone is talking about "crossing wires" and what not. Look at the picture I posted. The "Optima" lettering is upside down, therefore putting the + and - terminals in the correct position.

 

[krupnation]

You must live in the South.

Hotter climates really shorten the life of a battery. Here in the North East....112k miles is far less then what I average for a battery. I just replaced mine less then a year ago with over 170k miles.

Nope, I live in WA state and after testing the battery it was on it's last leg. I thought 112k miles was pretty good but 170K miles is freaking awesome on one battery!

 

[08T4R]

Krup, your battery is correct. They are saying some will have the + terminal closest to the fender. If you were to flip that around that would put the terminals closer to the headlight and the factory cable wouldn't reach that far.

 

[MikeInNH]

Nope, I live in WA state and after testing the battery it was on it's last leg. I thought 112k miles was pretty good but 170K miles is freaking awesome on one battery!

That's pretty much average for me. The battery on my 98 Pathfinder I finally replaced at a little over 240k miles. It's not just the miles...it's the years. 7-10 years if you live in the north....3-5 years if you live in places like Texas or Florida.

 

[imboredeveryday]

florida batterys are lucky to last 3 years and doesnt matter what brand either to be honest ive had bad luck with optimas thoe they where lasting only 6to 8months finnaly just got a true2 which is the smaller factory toyota battery and dont have that bad of luck with them now

 

[d2huffman]

It was a 05 battery - that is good. Age is a bigger consideration for batteries than mileage.