Hi,

I got my 2006 TL checked out at the dealership; they said the battery is weak and needs to be replaced. Quote for new one - 250$. They said only acura battery will work. I couldnt find Acura branded battery online, only other names.

Please advise if other names will work without issues?

Thanks.

 

I believe it's a 35R size but you can google it and it will come up.

Anything in the correct size will work. $250 is insane. Nothing short of a specialty battery will cost that much. $150 will get you a very, very good gel cel which is 10X better than an OEM battery.

Sears makes a very good battery for the price. If you have the money, their "Platinum" line is a very high end battery for a reasonable price. If you're just looking for something normal, Costco has good batteries for under $100. Optima is a good gel cel battery for $100 cheaper than what the dealer wants for an average battery.

 

They're full of crap. Battery size is 24F. Plenty of quality aftermarket 24F batteries out there for less than 1/3 the price. Do a search, lots of threads on batteries.

 

And for what it's worth, Acura rebrands Delco batteries. I just read the part where they said only an Acura battery will work. I would bring this up to the general manager at the dealer. This is a flat out lie.

 

Yellow top Optima is only 200

 

24F Group Battery and I'd ask them how the battery is $250 when this list is only $98.00.

ACURA TL BATTERY ASSY. (24F/550AMP) ()
Part# 31500-SD4-100M
List $98.00
Net $73.50

And yes other brands will work, but get the correct dimensions so that it fits correctly, but naturally the replacement won't have the "charge window".

Just an FYI
24F 10 3/4 x 6 13/16 x 9
35 9 1/16 x 6 7/8 x 8 7/8

 

So that's why mine seems a little small lol.

 

Dealer is full of shit.

Interstate (Johnson Controls) is a pretty good battery if you can find them locally. Johnson Controls also makes Optima batteries. Never tried them, but the Everstart brand from Walmart usually gets high marks in most tests as well.

The only way they can get to $250 is if they are charging you 1 hour labor for an install, which is ridicilous. You can go to most any chain autoparts store (autozone, advance, etc) and they will install it for you for free, it only takes 5 minutes.

 

100% dealer mark up for parts (the battery) and then labor. dealer said a full OEM front axle would cost about $1200...go to wholesale acura OEM on web and its half that price with shipping.

always do your research first before going to dealer. if you are nice with them...they may be nice back to you.

 

$250.00 for a battery replacement. It amazes me that dealerships think we're that stupid.

 

yea and the warranty is good, i had two replacements so far, no problems with the customer service

 

I bought a $60 Costco battery last year and it has been great. I just snipped the plastic support post a little so the battery cover would fit cleanly. The November issue of Consumer Reports rated the Interstate Megatron the best for $115 while the EverStart Maxx was 2nd best at $75. I'm not sure why the Kirkland wasn't included but Costco/Kirkland batteries did pretty well in the categories they competed in. Optima wasn't included in the tests for some reason.


I really doubt an Optima is 3x better than a 3 year Costco battery. I heard a while back that Costco was going to stop selling Optimas because of too many issues with them dying; however, I recall seeing them a few weeks ago so the rumor must not have been accurate.

 

you can buy an optima yellow top, and save money

 

I also got a Costco battery for my TL. 24F 3 is the original fitment size battery for the car. The 35 3 is an alternate battery size for the car. If you want the same size go with the 24F. I just went with the Costco one since I work there and they have a 3 yr free replacement and a 100 limited after.

 

Correction 100 months after. Thats over 8 yrs of warranty. Can't beat that.

 

Your dealer is NUTZZ! I got one at a Honda dealer, $98 installed with a 100 month warranty!!

 

It should be noted that the Interstate Megatron took first and last place. Not sure how that happens. The DieHard Gold didn't finish all that well, however, I've had one for over three years now and it's been rock solid in the ND winters...

 

If you look closely, the top ranked Mega-Tron is a MTP (Plus), 85 month warranty 800 CCA, while last place is just the Mega-Tron 75 months, 600 CCA.

 

Costco battery myself and it was under $70

 

The testing methodology is based on the group average CCA, not the battery's rated CCA:


"Life (first column):
Life test measures how a battery endures repeated charge-and-discharge cycles at hot-climate engine-compartment temperatures. The more cycles endured while maintaining a higher voltage, the higher the score.

Reserve capacity (middle column):
Reserve capacity estimates how long batteries can run a car if the charging system fails.

CCA (last column):
CCA performance reflects voltage at our load of half the average claimed CCA for each group size after cranking for 15 seconds at 0º F. We charged batteries at the 14.5 volts that vehicles typically supply, rather than the higher voltage that manufacturers use. Batteries charged at the lower voltage met BCI voltage standards for a fully charged battery. "

 

i'm gonna hop in this thread for a second. my 07 tl-s' battery has been dead twice in the past week. usually after sitting for more than a day with no starts, cold weather approaching, etc.

my question, which may be obvious, should i drop my car off at the dealership and get the free replacement...or just go buy a decent battery myself and install it. i've heard acuras batteries are not the best, so i don't want to replace this shitty one with another shitty one.

 

I'd give free a shot and see how it does...

You might also want to have it checked for parasitic drain. You might have a bad HFL unit draining the battery.

 

Wow, my battery experience with my dealer was very different. I had it in for 40k service back in May and they said the battery tested low for Acura's standards so they replaced it free of charge under the warranty. I was very pleased to get a new battery on a car that was 3 1/2 years old (from time of purchase) at the time.

 

Damn, if someone at a shop told me only a certain OEM brand battery would work I would be pissed, its insulting how they assume everyone who drives a car is a moron and they can just rip us off. I wish someone would pull that shit with me, I barely ever take my car to shops though

 

I have 06 TL-and recently had my battery replaced at Walmart-Everstart Maxx 700 cca (Johnson Controls) 24F-North (fits perfectly-and the plastic cover and hold down fit in place). Consumer Reports rates this battery #2 behind the #1 Interstate Megatron Plus-24F (made by Johnson). All the Optimas are made by Johnson as well-and you cannot go wrong there.

The wally maxx was $75 and they install for free. Warranty is 36 month full replacement and prorated out to 108 months. Warranty is good at any Walmart (hundreds of locations nationwide) and of course they will test and charge it for you if ever necessary.

I did look at the Acura battery-and the sticker on it said it was made by Johnson Controls (don't know if they bought Delco battery business or not). Alot of members have had trouble with Acura batteries not lasting-or going dead without explanation. For $75 installed I thought I would give this one a try.

 

The Everstart Maxx batteries pretty much have the most consistent performance across all battery groups in that review. I've been very happy with my "fair" rated DieHard Gold, but I might try the Everstart next....

 

Thanks very much guys...I cant appreciate enough the insightful responses from all of you...Will certainly look into all the options you've all suggested.

I however have another question while thinking of it - is it good to recharge the battery at a shop (pepboys, sears etc) or replace it totally? How much does recharge cost if its better...

Thanks.

 

Well, if your battery has been tested and found to be failing, you should get it replaced. No amount charging of any type will fix it.

Since the same place that says they tested your battery and found it to be "weak" is also trying to scam you by overcharging for a new battery, I'd consider getting a second opinion. They lied to you about the cost for a new battery. They could also be lying about the test results, if they even did a test....I think several auto parts stores will test it for free.

 

My original battery lasted for 6 years. Just replaced it with one from Costco about 3 months ago and haven't had a problem with it. Cost: $80

 

That's crazy and in Vancouver too! Mine lasted 1.5 years in a hot climate. Dealer offered to cover it but due to my previous experiences with them I came out of pocket for an Optima.

 

Thanks for this excellent thread. My '08 TL is coming up on the 2 year point with its battery so I'm shopping for the best replacement.

Ed

 

In the 7¾ years I've had this car, the batteries seem to last 3½ years before needing to be replaced.

For my last go around, I went with the Autocraft Gold from Advanced Auto Parts. 700 CCA versus 550 CCA for the original Acura battery. Works great!
.
.

 

Die Hard Gold still running strong at the 4 year point

 

OP....recently my girl's Lexus battery took a dump....took it to advance auto parts....

they checked the full system out and confirmed it was the battery....picked up the autocraft GOLD from them (3years replacement and another 7 years prorated warranty)....it was $108 but there is a coupon code "BATX" which saves you 25%....

we walked outta there paying $80 something and they replaced the battery as well (didnt have to dirty my hands) LOL....but yeah its been 5-6 months on that battery now (if I still can count) and the battery is doing awesome....

i know there are different brands and what they offer....but the way things worked out for me, I will be buying the AAP Autocraft Battery again (thats if needed)

 

My original battery lasted from June '06 to January '12, not too bad.

I replaced it with one from Costco. I have always had good luck with them and find that their warranty is no nonsense.

 

Wow $250 just to replace a battery? I have gotten a Sears Die hard gold battery and a Interstate Mega Tron plus battery for $117 each and installed it in the car myself.

Due to the bad HFL that kept draining 250MA from my battery, the Sears Die hard gold only lasted 10 months. I however did get a free replacement. At the same time I had gotten the Interstate Mega tron plus battery and had my HFL replaced under warranty. OP wish you were local, my Sears Die Hard battery replacement is just sitting in a shelf in the garage.

 

The dealer tested my battery and said it was week and they replaced it under warranty in December 2010.

Guess what...i left my car for less than 2 days in the garage when i went away on a business trip and the battery was dead. I had to have it jump started.

Is this a crappy battery or something else going on in my car? Very sure I did not leave any lights on or anything.

 

^^OEM batteries aren't very good.

 

Sure, not very good but failure in only 14 months? Getting closer to dumping my TL and buying a BRZ or FRS when they come out this summer.

 

it's known to happen. the battery should be covered under warranty. get it replaced...go trade your TL for a new subie.