Life of original battery

[MattJB]

The OEM Panasonic battery from our HL manufactured in 03/01 was finally put to rest just last weekend. I replaced it with a Sears Platinum battery. The new battery came with only two top posts and looked similar to the DieHard next to it. It has more than adequate CCA and reserve, a you-can't-beat-it 4 year warantee, and it fit. Did I mention it was expensive? I'll keep it for a long time.

I enjoy evidence-based science founded on solid research. My peers and I try to do and report the same. We applaud and financially support those people and firms who go to the expense to perform good quality research and publish statistically valid research conclusions. That said, here's a list of auto battery ratings from that nationally recognized consumer advocacy group, ranked from overall top score to lowest overall score considering all of the following variables: price, life expectancy, reserve capacity, claimed vs. measured CCA, warranty, etc. Note that all of these batteries are on sale today, and that this data is dated 11/2007.

Group 34/78 & 78 (HLs use these)

DieHard Platinum 50090 <---- highest rating, best warrantee (4 yr)
Optima RedTop SC34U
Deka Intimidator 9A78DT
DieHard SUV, Truck & Van 39990 (South)
NAPA Select 8434/78
AutoCraft Titanium 34/78-4
DieHard SUV, Truck & Van 39890 (North)
Orbital Exide Select ORB78DT-84
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-78DT
Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG <---bottom 1/3 of the pack
EverStart Maxx-78N (North) starts here
EverStart Maxx-78S (South)
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78DT

Group 65 batteries

NAPA Performance Select 8465
Autocraft Titanium 65-2
EverStart Maxx-65S (South)
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-65
Sears DieHard Gold 33165
Duralast 65-DL
DieHard Gold 33065 (North)
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65
DieHard 30065 (North)
DieHard 30365 (South)

This information is just a tiny portion of what is available. Much more detailed data is available to paid subscribers of that nationally recognized consumer advocacy group. Visit your local public library for a gander at the car battery test issue for free. That's where I first read it in 2006. Alternatively, use the online search function and enter "car battery review" for the November 2007 data. You can get the 2006 review with a few more keystrokes.

I thoroughly understand the concept of brand loyalty. This brings up an interesting conundrum that we revisit regularly within various online forums. We all fall into it from time-to-time (e.g., just ask me about my engine oil preference!). So let's look at just this tiny chunk of data together. My father and my brothers are Interstate battery fans, as I was. Interstate batteries rank in the 63rd percentile or less (that's the bottom third of the pack) among the Group 34/78 & 78 batteries that Highlander owners utilize. Moreover, the MSRP for Interstate batteries is up to 20% more than those batteries that outperform the Interstate batteries. I had to let my own brand loyalty go with this purchase. I'm very happy with the results and I hope this helps our readers make choices they will be happy with.

[bepperb]

While I subscribe to consumer reports, and I do prefer scientific based perspectives on almost anything, this is a bit of a non issue. There are only three manufacturers of lead acid batteries in the United States. The majority of the brands listed here are made by Johnson Controls here in Milwaukee, to the spec of the resellers. While the list of best to worst may be correct, the difference between the best and worst isn't shown, and is not as significant as you are led to believe.

If someone wants to buy a battery based on CR, or their historical luck, or prettiest color, or whatever... it really doesn't matter much. When you pay more you get a better warranty, and perhaps a better grade of separator between the lead plates that is less likely to short the cell, but not as much as a sales guy would lead you to believe.

Personally, I think the name Megatron is awesome enough to buy a battery based just on that. Actually, I go to Sams and get a Energizer that is.... oh wow... what a huge surprise... made my Johnson Controls just like all the others. They don't all look the same on accident.

This isn't unique in the CR world. They will always exaggerate the difference between the products. That is their bias. If they came out and said "oh, they're all about the same" for every test, well their readership wouldn't last long.

You imply that Interstate batteries rank in the lowest 63% means that they perform significantly worse than the batteries listed better, and that is not the case. The fact they cost more may be correct, but if you're buying a battery at Sears price does not seem to be a big factor in your decision anyway.

[LifeTech]

Two very intersesting views..... Yet I fall in between both.

Why can't I find a Panasonic OE battery for sale here in the US???

LT

[memaster]

I am glad that so far I havn't read any problem related to the alternater. My OE battery (5.5 yrs, 60K mi) started to show strange symptom lately, it died during a span of two weeks during our vacation, it died another time after 30 min. music playing w/ ignition off, and it set off the clock to 1:00 a few times just over night... I guess it's due for a replacement, at least a check up.

[bepperb]

Most places will test for free, and it sucks so terribly to have a car that won't start, that I'd get it checked at the first sign of problems and plan on replacing it. With the clock, though, you might want to make sure the ground cable is clean at the terminal and connected tightly. Even if that's bad, though, it sounds like you're due soon, might as well have it looked at.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by memaster

I am glad that so far I havn't read any problem related to the alternater. My OE battery (5.5 yrs, 60K mi) started to show strange symptom lately, it died during a span of two weeks during our vacation, it died another time after 30 min. music playing w/ ignition off, and it set off the clock to 1:00 a few times just over night... I guess it's due for a replacement, at least a check up.

Batteries when old rarely operate intermittently...like yu describe...
although it is old and probably ready to change out with low CCA'sand all...your symptoms appear to be connection related...coroded/loose terminals

Check this first.then trickle charge slow overnight then check again.

[memaster]

Battery replaced. It's been working just fine for the last 10 days. So I am getting 62K/5.5 years putting me in the middle pack.

[pagemaster]

5 years on my original Tundra battey and 110,000 miles later.

[Planedoc]

Hey all, I have the original battery in my '02 HL delivered in Feb. '02. I've been getting a little nervous with the south texas summers and winters, but the eye is still bright blue and no problems of any kind. You know that it'll die tomorrow since I said that...