scottsan

Yesterday I took my car in for a 60k maintenance.
I was told my car battery is weak and should be replaced.
I said I'll just go to Costco, buy one and do it myself.

I was told then that Honda brand is about $100+, but they are better. I felt really bad for rejecting the offer like I didn't believe it. Costco batteries are like $50 and I can probably replace the battery in 10 mins... so I didn't think it was worth it.

Any opinions on this?

visuelz

I would assume that Honda batteries are better than Costco....you're comparing a wholesale place to a dealership =x.

Still Water

Spend a little more and upgrade to an Optima.

joerockt

Their's nothing "Honda" about the battery at all. Their made by Panasonic.

I dont know about Costco, but you can do better then that POS stock battery.

LoveMyTL-S

If it's the same battery, I wouldn't do it. Our batteries do seem week.

bngu1

go aftermarket...... for $100, you get a much better battery then stock. if you want something similiar to stock, you only have to spend $50. sorry, but i find nothing great about the stock Honda or should i say Panasonic battery. if mine needs to be replaced, i go aftermarket.

visuelz

Hmm when should I get a new battery anyway.

mojox20

when your car won't start

wmal13

where are you?,in canada honda batteries sold retail(in shop/over the counter)
are supplied by interstate battery

Rocket_man

I put an Autozone Duralast in my previous car. It had more CCA and was less than half the OEM battery. Worked like a charm. Car manufacturers don't make batteries, they buy them and like tires them buy the cheapest they can get away with. Several people who have replaced their batteries report the car turns over much better with a non-Honda battery... which is obvious if the battery was dying but I've never owned a car that take so long to crank over as the TSX.

SodaLuvr

Most batteries last 3-5 yrs, even the cheapest ones, so get the cheapest one at Walmart. They're usually $35.

The $50 ? Prostart Premium battery has lasted > 3.5 years so far in my GM...I'm going to try a Walmart one next time and let you guys know.

Don't spend the extra dough...unless you have some device that demands a stronger battery than originally intended.

Reach

Costco batteries got generally good reviews in Consumer Reports.

For the TSX, NAPA and Duralast got top marks in October's Consumer Reports. Both cost ~ $60.

poltergeist

Same in the US...... Honda/Acura replacement batteries are Interstate.

pnoi521

Sears Die Hard batteries are good too!

EndCheck

I've always used AC Delco batteries and have had them last 5-6 years. Expect to pay about $60 for one.

Stevestr

Second the Duralast - I popped for the Gold - around 91.00 with core fee. Replaced the stock Panasonic in the car. Car seems to turn over quicker - this may just be the new battery effect. So far so good.

curls

The general rule of thumb, especially fi you live in cooler climates, is to buy the highest CCA battery you can find at a reasonable price.

Unless you need the deep-cycle features, there is no need to spring for a deep-cycle battery.

I got a Deka brand (REALLY good brand, highly reputable, and they're one of the few that manufacture their own and don't re-label someone elses'). 500 CCA or so... better price than a Delco, Interstate, or OEM "Panasonic" Honda.

L1StarTSX

Optima

jmathew34

anyone have the model# for the Optima that is compatible with the TSX?

PJS

YTS 4.2 (D34) or the red top RTS 4.2 (34)

hrj

iTrader: (1)

YT 35 or RT 35

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30633

PWPTSX

the panasonic suck big time, at cold morning, the battery barely have enough power to start up the car, i even had a dream one night about not being able to start the car.................what a horrible night........if i want to go aftermarket i would choose optima

TSXEd05

Ok, here are my $.02 on this subject. Optima batteries are great if you need to mount it in an odd location or are always running accessories (stereo) with the engine off. The deep cycle gel properties make them great for racing and off roading but from experience I would choose a dependable name brand battery like Die Hard, Interstate or even EverStart for normal use in the TSX. Optimas don't last as long and don't carry the Cold Cranking Amps needed for those of you in colder states.

joerockt

Not all the Optimas are deep cycle.

Still Water

Wrong...

bz268

Honda battery sucks. This is my 3rd Honda's. Their battery lasts only 50k to 60k. This is my second battery. It is dying already. I will need a new battery very soon.


I think your battery is under warranty. It says 5 years warranty regardless of mileage. First 2 years = free replacement. After the first 2 years, pro-rated.

Alexander.

iTrader: (1)

That's the funniest thing i've read all day.

Power1Pete

Just so you know, Johnson Controls make BOTH Honda and Optima batteries:

http://www.autobatteries.com/brands/index.asp

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Just like Michelin makes both the PS2 and the stock TSX tires. One is much better than the other. It all comes down to specification and application. The stock battery is barely adequate for warm weather performance and powering the full feature set of the TSX's standard accessories. Cold weather performance is where the benchmark should be tested against. Once you have a good battery, you will not have to worry about the simple thing like starting the engine under any condition.

Still Water

It ends up being a matter of "peace of mind." One less thing to think about. One more thing to make more dependable. The cost depends on who's paying.

TSXEd05

Well, then you'll have to prove it to my wallett. I have purchased two Optima batteries in the past 5 years for street driven cars and the best one lasted two years. On the other hand, my cheapo Everstart battery in my Jeep has lasted well over 4 years. Die Hard in my wifes car is going an 3 years with no problems. I won't waste the money again on an Optima battery just so it looks cool!

joerockt

Yellow or Red?

TSXEd05

Both happened to be Red. One was the 75/35 and the other was the 34/78. I checked the Optima website for the specific application for the vehicles they were going in to plus the guy at the parts store checked the Optima book to make sure I was buying the correct battery.

I may have just had two bad batteries over the years but for the money I'll just stick with a name brand conventional battery. They seem to work fine in the TSX!

rugbybrado

i always got mine at autozone and had the lifetime warrenty, nothing like taking a battery back and getting it replaced for free.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

my tsx barely wants to start in the morning
when the weather gets down to freezing i think the car is going to leave me stranded sometimes.

but i too havent had luck with optima
i had 2 or 3 die early deaths

i have a new one now in my bmw and since i dont drive it much, it's on a trickle charger
we'll see how this one does

Comptech-814

what about the new buddy club or sbs from KINGmotorsports.com

anyone heard anything about these?

Brandon24pdx

I wouldnt even hesitate...get an Optima "Red Top" and never have to worry about it again

TSXEd05

Just make sure your AAA mebership is up to date.