TL Battery Life: How Long?
03-19-2010, 06:45 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
TL Battery Life: How Long?
For those who have changed their battery, how long did it last? and what kind of battery?
My OEM Acura one (2008 TL-S) lasted 5 months before it went dead
Replaced it with the Advanced Auto battery (Autocraft Titanium) in NOV. 2008. Since replacing it, I've ran two battery test on it. Wondering if this battery will make it 2 years based on the "State of Health" readings...
Just wondering what the average TL battery life is (ignoring driving conditions).
My OEM Acura one (2008 TL-S) lasted 5 months before it went dead
Replaced it with the Advanced Auto battery (Autocraft Titanium) in NOV. 2008. Since replacing it, I've ran two battery test on it. Wondering if this battery will make it 2 years based on the "State of Health" readings...
Just wondering what the average TL battery life is (ignoring driving conditions).
03-19-2010, 06:51 PM
#3
Safety Car
I'm on my third OEM one. The last two each only lasted 2 years. They ran a draw test on my car after the second one and found excess current draw. Turns out my HFL was part of the problem. Have your dealer check yours out.
03-19-2010, 07:35 PM
#6
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03-19-2010, 09:10 PM
#10
the stock battery is the cheapest they can buy and get away with it
3 years life average has been normal for the last 5 years, when they enclosed the battery in a box and covered the engine with plastic panels--cooling airflow drops, battery temp increase and inner fluid boils away, cant refill most new ones so thats it - replace time
3 years life average has been normal for the last 5 years, when they enclosed the battery in a box and covered the engine with plastic panels--cooling airflow drops, battery temp increase and inner fluid boils away, cant refill most new ones so thats it - replace time
03-19-2010, 09:13 PM
#11
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
I'm on my 3rd OEM battery- all replaced under warranty. First one went when the car was like 8 months old. Second one went about 2.5 years later. Now, that I am out of warranty, I will be looking elsewhere when it's time.
03-19-2010, 10:19 PM
#13
I'm Craig
iTrader: (2)
Beware of OEM batteries. For real. They're cheap and die randomly. Both my sister's 04 TL and my 05 TL have been dead upon startup more than once. I replaced my battery with an Interstate one with 800CCA.
03-20-2010, 02:20 AM
#14
Drifting
I only got like 2.5 years out of the OEM battery on the TL. I've always gotten Kirkland Signature Batteries from costco, and found them to last a very long time... In fact the one in my Grand Prix is pushing 9 years so far and still going strong... and that was including a few harsh winters.
03-20-2010, 06:17 AM
#15
an actual test of the battery and electrical system can be obtained for free at most parts stores
Yes it has to hold enough to start the car- but does it recharge fully as its being used?
When batteries age they deteriorate internally and lose a cell or 2--not good for voltage on a hi demand car like the TL
Yes it has to hold enough to start the car- but does it recharge fully as its being used?
When batteries age they deteriorate internally and lose a cell or 2--not good for voltage on a hi demand car like the TL
03-20-2010, 08:01 AM
#16
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04 TL bought in February 2004. I just replaced OE battery 2 weeks ago. 6+ years and 105,000 miles. Cool climate (upstate NY). Only replaced it because of fear of sudden death of the OE battery. It still checked out fine at Advanced Auto...
03-20-2010, 08:40 AM
#18
Three Wheelin'
Both the batteries on my 2k and my 04 died about a month before their 4-year leases expired on each (just my luck). However, I don't consider their longevity too bad considering the Florida heat. I replaced both with Diehard Gold batteries from Sears.
My 08's is still going strong 2 years into a 3-year lease although I did have to jump it one time due to an unknown (and unrepeated since) drain about 2 months in. Dealer couldn't find the problem.
My 08's is still going strong 2 years into a 3-year lease although I did have to jump it one time due to an unknown (and unrepeated since) drain about 2 months in. Dealer couldn't find the problem.
03-20-2010, 08:48 AM
#19
Three Wheelin'
I should have added to my previous post that I replaced the battery in our then-2001 Chrysler T&C (since traded on an 09 Odyssey). We got 5 years out of the Diehard Gold before it died.
03-20-2010, 09:23 AM
#20
OEM battery lasted 59 months
My 2005 TL OEM battery died a month shy of its 5-year anniversary. I have no complaints especially with some brutally cold winters it has seen in SE Michigan.
I replaced it with the Johnson-Saft battery under the Kirkland Signature label from Costco. This battery is also private-labeled as Duralast from Autozone, Energizer from Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, though with different warranties.
The best part on the Kirkland battery was:
a. 36-month full replacement warranty same as all the other private-labels
b. has prorated credit for months 37 to 100
c. cost only $59.99 plus tax and refundable $9 core exchange
Battery has 650 CCA and weighs slightly less than the OEM. Recommended.
I replaced it with the Johnson-Saft battery under the Kirkland Signature label from Costco. This battery is also private-labeled as Duralast from Autozone, Energizer from Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, though with different warranties.
The best part on the Kirkland battery was:
a. 36-month full replacement warranty same as all the other private-labels
b. has prorated credit for months 37 to 100
c. cost only $59.99 plus tax and refundable $9 core exchange
Battery has 650 CCA and weighs slightly less than the OEM. Recommended.
03-20-2010, 02:24 PM
#22
the stock battery is the cheapest they can buy and get away with it
3 years life average has been normal for the last 5 years, when they enclosed the battery in a box and covered the engine with plastic panels--cooling airflow drops, battery temp increase and inner fluid boils away, cant refill most new ones so thats it - replace time
3 years life average has been normal for the last 5 years, when they enclosed the battery in a box and covered the engine with plastic panels--cooling airflow drops, battery temp increase and inner fluid boils away, cant refill most new ones so thats it - replace time
03-20-2010, 05:49 PM
#23
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I think the OEM is junk, I was on my second one in two years, when it quit, I bit the bullet and put in an Optima Yellow Top......cranks like a champ. Don't have to worry about leaving the tunes on too long either. It's an expensive upgrade, but WELL worth it.
03-20-2010, 07:47 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
The battery in my 04 TL is still going strong, the dealership even tested it at my last service appointment a few months ago and said it was good. Maybe because it's colder in Toronto? I wonder if there is a correlation between battery life and how far south you live.
03-21-2010, 07:12 AM
#25
Registered Member
My '04 manual TL still has its original battery. This car was built during the first week of July 2004 and purchased new by me on the 17th of that month just two days after having arrived at the dealership.
My '05 automatic TL was built and purchased new in March 2005 and had the original battery replaced in November of 2008.
My '05 automatic TL was built and purchased new in March 2005 and had the original battery replaced in November of 2008.
03-21-2010, 11:34 AM
#26
heat- hot climates is the enemy of batteries to be sure
vegas-Texas ppl - how is the batt life in your car?
vegas-Texas ppl - how is the batt life in your car?
03-21-2010, 03:31 PM
#27
Team Owner
One thing I learned from a high up in one of the largest battery manufacturers is to use the lowest CCA battery that will get the job done. He said it will hold up to the vibrations and heat better and have a higher reserve capacity. I've been wanting to try out the Sears Die Hard Platinum which sells for nearly $300 under it's parent company's name. I figure I'll get something just a little over the factory CCA rating unlike the 1,000+ CCA I have now. It's just not needed.
03-21-2010, 05:47 PM
#29
Team Owner
03-21-2010, 07:35 PM
#31
'06 TL 5AT NAV Anthracite
Mine lasted about 2 yrs 5 mos. I replaced it with an Interstate battery. My wife's '07 CR-V did better. She purchased her car in 10/06 replaced her battery in 2/10.
03-22-2010, 07:02 PM
#34
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5 years or so: just replaced the TL's OEM battery with an Interstate, size Group 24 today... after the auto club jump-started my car earlier this afternoon. 
I actually had to turn down a buxom young lady who offered me a "jump start"
since I already called AAA. It was a somewhat lost/new AAA battery service driver: saw him pass by the intersection a block and a half away from me twice before he found me after a 10 minute delay. 
I actually had to turn down a buxom young lady who offered me a "jump start"
since I already called AAA. It was a somewhat lost/new AAA battery service driver: saw him pass by the intersection a block and a half away from me twice before he found me after a 10 minute delay.
03-23-2010, 01:42 AM
#35
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03-23-2010, 12:40 PM
#36
I bought my 06 TL in April 2006, and I just replaced the OEM one February of this year. It was done after the harsh DC winter we just had. So I got 3 years and 10 months out of mine. I have 93k on the car also.
I replaced it with the Kirkland battery. More CCA amps than the orignal, and for $60, how can I complain?!
I replaced it with the Kirkland battery. More CCA amps than the orignal, and for $60, how can I complain?!
06-26-2012, 02:15 PM
#38
Racer
Well sorry to bring up an old thread, but I have been wondering whether I should replace mine or not. I bought my TL in November of 2009 as an Acura CPO so that's about 2 years and 7 months ago. I have no idea if the current one is original or replaced before I became the owner. I think I am making a trip to Interstate Batteries for a new one this weekend.
06-26-2012, 02:32 PM
#40
Most people assume the alternator 'charges the battery'. This is not entirely true. The alternator is best at more or less maintaining the charge on the battery, and does not reach sufficient voltage to fully charge the battery and desulfate the plates. It's how its designed, and it would be rather difficult to properly detect EOC with the battery under load anyways.
Lead acid batteries are EXTREMELY sensitive to state of charge. If you let them sit partially discharged, they will die very quickly. If they sit fully charged, they should last 5-10 years depending on your climate.
Avoid having the car sit with any major electrical load for long periods of time, if you do, try and pop it on a battery charger at a low current overnight. The alternator will recharge it sufficiently enough to work fine, but it will be a bit discharged still and dramatically degrade its life. If the car sits for more than a week, have it sit on a <2A charger.
Or, do nothing and blame the battery. Sometimes it is the battery that fails or is poorly manufactured, but more often than not its user error. The biggest deal is to ensure the battery is FULLY charged with a quality 'smart' charger before using it.
Lead acid batteries are EXTREMELY sensitive to state of charge. If you let them sit partially discharged, they will die very quickly. If they sit fully charged, they should last 5-10 years depending on your climate.
Avoid having the car sit with any major electrical load for long periods of time, if you do, try and pop it on a battery charger at a low current overnight. The alternator will recharge it sufficiently enough to work fine, but it will be a bit discharged still and dramatically degrade its life. If the car sits for more than a week, have it sit on a <2A charger.
Or, do nothing and blame the battery. Sometimes it is the battery that fails or is poorly manufactured, but more often than not its user error. The biggest deal is to ensure the battery is FULLY charged with a quality 'smart' charger before using it.