Time to replace car battery, any advice?
#16
Interstate Battery from Local Dealer vs. Costco
My ES350 battery failed at 3 1/4 years and I replaced it (myself) with an Interstate battery #MTP-24F from my local mechanic/tire store (Costco is a bigger trip for me). The price was $120. The suggested retail for this battery at the Interstate site is $147-$168.
But, as a big Costco fan, I decided to later price their cost for their Interstate battery. It was $84, but it is for a 24F battery (mine is a MTP-24F) and there are differences according to the specs for each battery.
In particular, for the MTP-24F/24F:
Cold Cranking Amps: 800/700
Cranking Amps: 1000/875
Reserve Capacity (RC) at 25 hr: 125/130
Weight: 44.4/42.1
Dimensions are the same.
The web picture for the MTP-24 shows a convenient strap for lifting (it was on my battery). The picture of the battery from Costco does not show a strap, but it just might be there when purchased.
So, it appears, that the Costco battery just might not be up to the specs of the "retail" battery.
But, as a big Costco fan, I decided to later price their cost for their Interstate battery. It was $84, but it is for a 24F battery (mine is a MTP-24F) and there are differences according to the specs for each battery.
In particular, for the MTP-24F/24F:
Cold Cranking Amps: 800/700
Cranking Amps: 1000/875
Reserve Capacity (RC) at 25 hr: 125/130
Weight: 44.4/42.1
Dimensions are the same.
The web picture for the MTP-24 shows a convenient strap for lifting (it was on my battery). The picture of the battery from Costco does not show a strap, but it just might be there when purchased.
So, it appears, that the Costco battery just might not be up to the specs of the "retail" battery.
#18
Lead Lap
Not really. Mine is in it's 5th. year and going strong. Original Lexus battery... The Avalon I traded for the Lexus had it's original battery too. 6 + years...
#19
Car's last less time in hot weather climates and it is heat that does a battery in.
I have had batteries last 10 years in some of my cars cars over my driving lifetime. The average for a larger car with larger battery is longer than say a small battery typically found on a Corolla.
#20
#21
Instructor
My ES350 battery failed at 3 1/4 years and I replaced it (myself) with an Interstate battery #MTP-24F from my local mechanic/tire store (Costco is a bigger trip for me). The price was $120. The suggested retail for this battery at the Interstate site is $147-$168.
But, as a big Costco fan, I decided to later price their cost for their Interstate battery. It was $84, but it is for a 24F battery (mine is a MTP-24F) and there are differences according to the specs for each battery.
In particular, for the MTP-24F/24F:
Cold Cranking Amps: 800/700
Cranking Amps: 1000/875
Reserve Capacity (RC) at 25 hr: 125/130
Weight: 44.4/42.1
Dimensions are the same.
The web picture for the MTP-24 shows a convenient strap for lifting (it was on my battery). The picture of the battery from Costco does not show a strap, but it just might be there when purchased.
So, it appears, that the Costco battery just might not be up to the specs of the "retail" battery.
But, as a big Costco fan, I decided to later price their cost for their Interstate battery. It was $84, but it is for a 24F battery (mine is a MTP-24F) and there are differences according to the specs for each battery.
In particular, for the MTP-24F/24F:
Cold Cranking Amps: 800/700
Cranking Amps: 1000/875
Reserve Capacity (RC) at 25 hr: 125/130
Weight: 44.4/42.1
Dimensions are the same.
The web picture for the MTP-24 shows a convenient strap for lifting (it was on my battery). The picture of the battery from Costco does not show a strap, but it just might be there when purchased.
So, it appears, that the Costco battery just might not be up to the specs of the "retail" battery.
Just curious, you said your oem battery died @ 3 1/4 years.. was it a panasonic battery or other brand. I'm pretty sure cars built in Japan come with the Panasonic battery... mine did and so far no issues... Car was manufactured in June of 2013 I believe which would put the battery at about 4 /12 years right now.. I'm going to replace the battery in the next couple of weeks just to be safe..
you mentioned the interstate battery.. 24F is just the bci size. The MTP designation on the 24F you are looking at has nothing to do with the physical size of the battery. MTP stands for MegaTron Plus, one of the lines of battery's sold under the interstate brand. I currently have the MTP-24F in my Toyota 4 Runner... It's been in there about 3 years and no issues what so ever. I'm going to replace the battery in my Lexus in the next week or two.. I'm probably going to go with the same battery, Interstate MTP-24F. This battery provides way more CCA's and Ca's than the oem. I've toyed with the idea of going with an AGM but honestly I can't justify the expense.. but that's just my opinion.
Roland
#22
Just curious, you said your oem battery died @ 3 1/4 years.. was it a panasonic battery or other brand. I'm pretty sure cars built in Japan come with the Panasonic battery... mine did and so far no issues... Car was manufactured in June of 2013 I believe which would put the battery at about 4 /12 years right now.. I'm going to replace the battery in the next couple of weeks just to be safe..
you mentioned the interstate battery.. 24F is just the bci size. The MTP designation on the 24F you are looking at has nothing to do with the physical size of the battery. MTP stands for MegaTron Plus, one of the lines of battery's sold under the interstate brand. I currently have the MTP-24F in my Toyota 4 Runner... It's been in there about 3 years and no issues what so ever. I'm going to replace the battery in my Lexus in the next week or two.. I'm probably going to go with the same battery, Interstate MTP-24F. This battery provides way more CCA's and Ca's than the oem. I've toyed with the idea of going with an AGM but honestly I can't justify the expense.. but that's just my opinion.
Roland
you mentioned the interstate battery.. 24F is just the bci size. The MTP designation on the 24F you are looking at has nothing to do with the physical size of the battery. MTP stands for MegaTron Plus, one of the lines of battery's sold under the interstate brand. I currently have the MTP-24F in my Toyota 4 Runner... It's been in there about 3 years and no issues what so ever. I'm going to replace the battery in my Lexus in the next week or two.. I'm probably going to go with the same battery, Interstate MTP-24F. This battery provides way more CCA's and Ca's than the oem. I've toyed with the idea of going with an AGM but honestly I can't justify the expense.. but that's just my opinion.
Roland
#23
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: California
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Advice for buying new car battery
If you want to replace your battery i think you should look at the car battery review first. After that you will able to compare that which one is a good fit for you. I have bought Optima OPT8020-164 because it is perfect for cool climate areas. You can find yours according to your need.
#24
Instructor
My ES350 is a Japanese built 2014. I think it had a Panasonic battery, but I was surprised that it went bad after 3 1/4 years considering all of the other Lexuses I have owned since 1999 (ESs + RXs) were Japanese built and whose batteries lasted 6-7 years (all of the cars were garaged). Up until this point I never had to replace a battery because of battery failure. I had the Lexus dealer check if I had a faulty Gateway computer (my VIN was in the impacted VIN number range) but it checked out OK. I do have a slight concern that with the new lighter weight oils, Lexus has cut back on battery size thus saving weight, increasing mileage figures, but also a smaller size generally means less power. Both batteries that I mentioned above are Interstates and of course I knew they were both the same size. My point was that the Interstate MTP-24F available from automotive shops has a bit more power than the Interstate 24F available at a lesser price from Costco. Both batteries are the same size but the MTP version weighs a bit more, perhaps with beefier/larger internal lead plates accounting for the higher output.
Roland
#25
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Aug 2018
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I bought new 2018 ES350 a month ago and just checked my car which is made in US does have a Panasonic battery. Not really sure if Lexus is installing Panasonic in all ES models built in US or using any other brands too.
#26
That's really not true everywhere and highly dependent upon where you live and temperatures.
Car's last less time in hot weather climates and it is heat that does a battery in.
I have had batteries last 10 years in some of my cars cars over my driving lifetime. The average for a larger car with larger battery is longer than say a small battery typically found on a Corolla.
Car's last less time in hot weather climates and it is heat that does a battery in.
I have had batteries last 10 years in some of my cars cars over my driving lifetime. The average for a larger car with larger battery is longer than say a small battery typically found on a Corolla.
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