What kind of battery are you running?
#42
^^yes. however the battery was doing well for the first yr or so without the battery tender with no loss of cranking power. my car was not driven daily during that time. after about 12 mos, i noticed a slight loss. attached the battery tender, this year...battery stays happy with the limited drive time it sees.
#43
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 978
From: The west side of the Potomac River
^^no. car was daily driven...OEM batteries poo'd after 3 +yrs. i'm sure if a battery tender was hooked up to them, they could have gotten more life out of them. figured the first battery death was a fluke...then it trended into the 2nd one. i moved on to aftermarket alternatives after reading about OEM battery frustrations on here.
#44
I read recently that a Acura Oem battery had a 100 month warranty! I thought interstate was 80 or 85 month. Dont quite understand what pro rate means. Had a autocrat silver and was the worst battery ever died at almost exactly a day after the year warranty.
#47
If the battery and alternator are in good condition, then how your TL operates won't change.
I am using Optima Red Top 35 (against IHC's recommendation). Replacing another Optima that was I think 5 yrs old.
$144 bucks, fresh stock when I bought a few weeks ago.
I am using Optima Red Top 35 (against IHC's recommendation). Replacing another Optima that was I think 5 yrs old.
$144 bucks, fresh stock when I bought a few weeks ago.
#48
I put it on the battery tender over night before installing that did the trick.
#50
They are totally sealed against any type of leakage and classed as spill proof. Never need to check fluid level. They can be mounted on their side or end to suit space or environment. They can be mounted inside your car, 4WD, caravan, camper or motor home, truck or marine vessel. They do not need to be in a sealed box vented to the outside. Because they have low internal resistance, they can be fully recharged at a lower voltage and accept a larger current (amps). From a standard car, 4WD or truck alternator they will recharge quickly from full use in about 2 to 3 hours. A deep cycle wet cell battery can take 8-12 hours to achieve only 70-80% of its potential charge. They can be drained (discharged) much deeper than conventional deep cycle batteries without any major damage. An AGM battery when left unattended will only discharge at a rate of up to 3% per month and even after 12 months sitting idle can be recharged and put back into full service with no ill side effects.QA normal wet cell discharges at a rate of up to 4% per week . AGM batteries were originally developed for the military. They are designed and built tough, and will take an enormous pounding.
#52
They are totally sealed against any type of leakage and classed as spill proof. Never need to check fluid level. They can be mounted on their side or end to suit space or environment. They can be mounted inside your car, 4WD, caravan, camper or motor home, truck or marine vessel. They do not need to be in a sealed box vented to the outside. Because they have low internal resistance, they can be fully recharged at a lower voltage and accept a larger current (amps). From a standard car, 4WD or truck alternator they will recharge quickly from full use in about 2 to 3 hours. A deep cycle wet cell battery can take 8-12 hours to achieve only 70-80% of its potential charge. They can be drained (discharged) much deeper than conventional deep cycle batteries without any major damage. An AGM battery when left unattended will only discharge at a rate of up to 3% per month and even after 12 months sitting idle can be recharged and put back into full service with no ill side effects.QA normal wet cell discharges at a rate of up to 4% per week . AGM batteries were originally developed for the military. They are designed and built tough, and will take an enormous pounding.
#53
Optima's seem to get a lot of crap. I've had a red top for three years now - 1 year in the TL and 2 years in a minivan (moved it from the TL to the wife's Sienna because it was too heavy!) and it's trucking just fine.
#54
I bought a napa battery. The stock batteries have more than enough reserve capacity. I dont recal off hand which model but its smaller than stock, slightly higher CCA's, smaller & lighter by 12 pounds. Just food for thought.
#55
Word I bought an Optima Yellow Top and it didn't even last me 3 months before the thing lost all charge. I ended up spending money on a new starter when it was the stupid battery. Thankfully I got it replaced under warranty, let's see how long this one lasts. I don't understand why these batteries are so expensive.
#56
Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal with optimas is. Maybe they don't hold up well in extreme temps, it gets damm cold here in the winter and it finally shit the bed in early spring of 2011. It was new In jan 2010. I don't know if the blue or red tops are any better? Dosent matter I guess, doubt ill ever buy another one.
#57
The deal with Optimas is that they are now being produced in a new plant in Mexico. I normally don't put much weight in where a product is produced, but in this case it has been very noticeable.
At my old job we sold plenty of Optimas, red/yellow/blue. I don't know exactly when they shifted production, but I began seeing the batteries crap out within 1-3 years or less. Very surprising and suspicious when I first started seeing it, but eventually it happened to multiple people. Eventually a customer pointed the manufacturing change to me. I heard customers echo the same sentiments as members in this thread... dumbfounded that their new Optima lasted them only 10 months when their old one lasted 5+ years even with harsh charge/discharge cycles.
A buddy of mine at a local parts store has seen the same thing. I personally wouldn't buy an Optima, especially as prices have gone up as well. You may have gotten one in the past year or two and it was still good, but it's still a dicey purchase.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...(NO-DISCUSSION)
At my old job we sold plenty of Optimas, red/yellow/blue. I don't know exactly when they shifted production, but I began seeing the batteries crap out within 1-3 years or less. Very surprising and suspicious when I first started seeing it, but eventually it happened to multiple people. Eventually a customer pointed the manufacturing change to me. I heard customers echo the same sentiments as members in this thread... dumbfounded that their new Optima lasted them only 10 months when their old one lasted 5+ years even with harsh charge/discharge cycles.
A buddy of mine at a local parts store has seen the same thing. I personally wouldn't buy an Optima, especially as prices have gone up as well. You may have gotten one in the past year or two and it was still good, but it's still a dicey purchase.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...(NO-DISCUSSION)
Last edited by Costco; 09-30-2013 at 01:58 AM.
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I hate cars (09-30-2013),
nttstt444 (09-30-2013)
#59
Using the Die Hard Platinum. I couldn't tell you how long the OEM one lasted, as the vehicle was purchased from a previous owner. I came online to look for a battery that wouldn't leak ( yes I did sit on the OEM leaking battery, I was drinking so yea stupid decision ) and a majority of the people here mentioned the Die Hard Platinum.
#62
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 1,246
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Consumer Reports has a report on car batteries in the November issue. For groups 24, 24F and 35 the top rated batteries are Everstart (Walmart). After that for 24 and 24F its DieHard and Interstate. For group 35, its Kirkland, Interstate and DieHard.
#63
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 1,246
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
Consumer Reports has a report on car batteries in the November issue. For groups 24, 24F and 35 the top rated batteries are Everstart (Walmart). After that for 24 and 24F its DieHard and Interstate. For group 35, its Kirkland, Interstate and DieHard.
#64
Well, after 6 years, 8 months my Diehard Gold finally bit the dust. Won't hold a charge anymore. No warning at all, just wouldn't start yesterday morning and after a 2 hour drive still would not start the car. Running a battery tender on it right now, but no change over night. Still showing only 25% charged.
It has a 100 month pro-ration, so I'll get a few bucks back. Paid $94.52 OTD (with military discount), so I definitely got my money's worth out of it. Sears has the Diehards on sale again (how convenient ). Very happy with the Gold, will probably do it again.
It has a 100 month pro-ration, so I'll get a few bucks back. Paid $94.52 OTD (with military discount), so I definitely got my money's worth out of it. Sears has the Diehards on sale again (how convenient ). Very happy with the Gold, will probably do it again.
#65
Well, after 6 years, 8 months my Diehard Gold finally bit the dust. Won't hold a charge anymore. No warning at all, just wouldn't start yesterday morning and after a 2 hour drive still would not start the car. Running a battery tender on it right now, but no change over night. Still showing only 25% charged.
It has a 100 month pro-ration, so I'll get a few bucks back. Paid $94.52 OTD (with military discount), so I definitely got my money's worth out of it. Sears has the Diehards on sale again (how convenient ). Very happy with the Gold, will probably do it again.
It has a 100 month pro-ration, so I'll get a few bucks back. Paid $94.52 OTD (with military discount), so I definitely got my money's worth out of it. Sears has the Diehards on sale again (how convenient ). Very happy with the Gold, will probably do it again.
#66
Did your new one come with the full 4yr free replacement warranty or was it lowered to 3yrs? I heard a rumor the platinum and gold warranties are being shortened.
I'm getting a desulfator for my 2yr old platinum; it already gets trickle charged every day since my drive is 1.5 miles each way but I screwed up and didn't get one that desulfates. In theory I should almost never have to replace it again but time will tell.
I'm getting a desulfator for my 2yr old platinum; it already gets trickle charged every day since my drive is 1.5 miles each way but I screwed up and didn't get one that desulfates. In theory I should almost never have to replace it again but time will tell.
#67
Both of my Gold batteries were 3 year replacement, 100 month pro-rate warranties. Nothing changed for the Gold. The Sears website still shows 4 year replacement warranty for the Platinum Diehard.
#70
I just replaced the battery in the TSX with a Kirkland battery from Costco.
Cheap and good warranty. The TL's has to be replaced as it's constantly building up crap on the terminals which usually means a dieing battery. I'll also replace it with a Kirkland.
Cheap and good warranty. The TL's has to be replaced as it's constantly building up crap on the terminals which usually means a dieing battery. I'll also replace it with a Kirkland.
#73
I did consider moving up to the Diehard Platinum AGM when my Gold finally died on me (see posts 64/65), but it is double the cost and it would have to last 13 years to equal the cost effectiveness of the Gold. It did have more CCA than the Gold, but the Gold got me through 6 North Dakota winters just fine.
#74
#75
I got an Autocraft Gold battery from Advance Auto a month ago when my 6 year old Honda battery started to die. Probably would have lasted another year or two if my HFL hadn't sucked all the life from it. Haven't had a single hiccup with my Autocraft battery.
#78
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 1,246
From: SE Mass --- > Central VA --- > SE Mass
#79
Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries.
Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names.
- Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models.
- Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries.
- Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), Optima,and some EverStarts.
I have Energizer that I bought through Batteries Plus Bulbs. I've always bought the Duralast brand from red top to gold top and never failed on me.
But since Batteries Plus offered an online 20% off for Pick up In-Store, I couldn't pass it up. No problems, going on year 2.
If the Energizer bunny can power spaceships, I knew I was taken care of.
Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names.
- Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models.
- Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries.
- Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), Optima,and some EverStarts.
I have Energizer that I bought through Batteries Plus Bulbs. I've always bought the Duralast brand from red top to gold top and never failed on me.
But since Batteries Plus offered an online 20% off for Pick up In-Store, I couldn't pass it up. No problems, going on year 2.
If the Energizer bunny can power spaceships, I knew I was taken care of.
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