help needed getting new battery

[p_augustus]

Camry 2004 LE V4

Current batteries: Original OEM

I regularly service the car at toyota dealer and they quoted a price of $190 to replace my battery. Since I also need to do EFI service and change engine filter and air filter, I'm trying to probably buy/install the batteries at a different place that is less expensive.

Autozone would not work since I need them to install it also. I live in central Jersey.

Can you please suggest a major retailer and the right battery brand where i can buy/install battery?

If the toyota brand is the safest and best choice I would consider paying for it.

The only two other places I know are Pepboys and Sears Auto.

Please let me know.

[LoudCamry]

you can buy a battery at any auto part store. it very easy to install, if not go buy it at walmart and they install for free.

as for air filter you can buy it at toyota dealer for around 12 buck and change it yourself,

If you refering the engine filter as the oil filter, you will need to chage it when you get a new oil change

or if you were refering engine filter as maybe your cabin filter, buy it for around 23 dollar at toyota dealer and change it yourself.

those are very basic install that will save you money for other stuff.

[webjones]

I've been getting my batteries at Wal Mart for years and have found them reliable - and they will install it for you for free if you don't want to mess with it. I recently bought one for my 2003 4 cylinder Camry - it was ~$60 on the shelf.

I got EverStart model number 56-3S, 660 cranking amps/530 cold cranking amps

The guys may try to sell you a more expensive battery - one that has a longer replacement warranty. And that's one thing to understand: the battery I bought has a 2 year replacement warranty. That does not mean it will only last 2 years. The 2 year battery I put in my Jeep lasted over 5 years. It means that if it goes bad within 2 years they will replace it free. After 2 years they give you a prorated discount on replacements.

[Mike Gerber]

^ I also agree with Walmart, especially if there is one in your area has a service bay that does battery installs along with oil changes. They will install the battery for free. Consumer Reports recently rated their top of the line battery (I think it's the Everstart MAXX) (around $75) as a best buy. I would get that one for the extra few dollars. The peace of mind is worth the extra few dollars, IMHO.

Mike

[JohnGD]

Sure, get the best of the Walmart batteries. They should still be made by Johnson Controls Inc (JCI) AFAIK. These are excellent batteries. You can also get the Autozone Duralast/Gold. Compare not only the CCA but also the reserve capacity. The higher end batteries typically will have slightly more RC as well.

I personally prefer the AC Delco maintenance free battery. But they're just getting harder and harder to find. So any rebranded JCI battery will work. And depending on the batch, JCI may already be in your Toytoa.

AutoZone Awards Five-Year Battery Supply Contract to Johnson Controls:
http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/s.../255771&EDATE=

[alkar]

Originally Posted by webjones

It means that if it goes bad within 2 years they will replace it free. After 2 years they give you a prorated discount on replacements.

Wrong!

Wally world downgraded their battery warranty recently, and will no longer prorate them. They offer a 1 year battery and a more expensive 2 year battery. After the one or two years, you eat it if it fails.

Sort of ticked me off, as I have never got more than 3 years out of the two year battery, but there was always a couple of years prorate left so I got a few bucks back on the new one.

Actually, a couple of years ago the yellow battery was 3 years, with I think a 60 or 72 month prorate and the black one was 2 years plus the prorate (can't remember how long)

Now the yellow is 2yrs + 0 and the black is 1yr +0

Alan

[JohnGD]

Depending on the outlet, the warranty will be different.

For example, Autozone's Duralast Gold has a 3-year free replacement warranty, with the remaining of 8-year total warranty prorated. The Duralast has a 2-year free replacement warranty, with the remaining of the 7-year total warranty prorated.

Walmart might be similar. Dunno.

[alkar]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Depending on the outlet, the warranty will be different.

For example, Autozone's Duralast Gold has a 3-year free replacement warranty, with the remaining of 8-year total warranty prorated. The Duralast has a 2-year free replacement warranty, with the remaining of the 7-year total warranty prorated.

Walmart might be similar. Dunno.

The point is: Wallmart used to have 2 and 3 yr + proration warranties:

No more. They now have 12 mo and 24 mo (standard and premium batteries, respectively), with no more proration.

If your battery dies in 12 months (24 months premium) or less, they will replace it.

If it is 12 months + 1 day (24 months + 1 day premium battery), you are SOL.

Wall Mart is no longer a competitive place to purchase a battery from.

Alan

[webjones]

Originally Posted by alkar

Wrong!

Wally world downgraded their battery warranty recently, and will no longer prorate them. They offer a 1 year battery and a more expensive 2 year battery. After the one or two years, you eat it if it fails.

Sort of ticked me off, as I have never got more than 3 years out of the two year battery, but there was always a couple of years prorate left so I got a few bucks back on the new one.

Actually, a couple of years ago the yellow battery was 3 years, with I think a 60 or 72 month prorate and the black one was 2 years plus the prorate (can't remember how long)

Now the yellow is 2yrs + 0 and the black is 1yr +0

Alan

Interesting, but my experience was different. When I bought this one I brought in my old EverStart battery - which was also a 2 year battery - expecting to get back the core fee ($10 I think). But after they did their thing in customer service I ended up paying less than $40 for the new battery. This was only a few weeks ago.

[alkar]

Originally Posted by webjones

Interesting, but my experience was different. When I bought this one I brought in my old EverStart battery - which was also a 2 year battery - expecting to get back the core fee ($10 I think). But after they did their thing in customer service I ended up paying less than $40 for the new battery. This was only a few weeks ago.

Look at your new battery warranty--no proration, free replacement only, unless they gave you one with an old date code.

I also replaced an old, failed battery (a couple of years old, with a proration).

The new one no longer has a proration, replacement only for 1 year.

I didn't notice this at first, but I have several cars with the yellow and black Wallmart batteries in my "fleet".

Looking over them, I see a general Walmart pattern of reducing warranty exposere (making higher profit through cheapening the warranty.

The batteries I bought at Walmart several years ago had longer warranties (yellow was 3 years and black was 2 years free replacement and both had proration past that, I think to 60 or 72 months).

New one(black) I got in January 2010 has a 1 year free replacement and no proration past that. (Yellow battery on the shelf at Walmart was 2 years free with no proration past that). All the batteries on the shelf at Wallmart had a December 2009 date code and they all had this new, no proration, reduced free replacement warranty policy.

I did get some proration credit on the failed battery I turned in, but the new, replacement battery will not have that possibility because of the cheapened (reduced) warranty policy.

I won't be buying any more Wallmart batteries because their warranty policy changes have rendered them uncompetitive.

Look closely at your new battery. All reference to proration past the free replacement period is deleted from the script on the case.
Alan

[webjones]

Originally Posted by alkar

Look at your new battery warranty--no proration, free replacement only, unless they gave you one with an old date code.

I also replaced an old, failed battery (a couple of years old, with a proration).

The new one no longer has a proration, replacement only for 1 year.
Alan

Thanks, alkar - I'll take a look at it.

[Doh Nuts]

Let's see here, my $.02:

Air filter and cabin filter are pretty easy to do yourself. I generally buy OE spec parts and do it myself. I generally change engine oil myself once I'm out of warranty, sometimes even in warranty but I document it well (keep receipts for everything). Oil change is the thing that I will pay for the service; while I have ramps and jackstands, sometimes I just need to get it done, so I go to a local shop, grab a bite to eat for lunch, and pick up the car when I'm done. One less chore to do on weekends.

As far as battery goes, if you're planning on spending $190 for an OE spec battery:

1) if you are inclined to do it yourself, and have a Costco membership, take a look at the Optima red top battery there. It's about $130-140 and has a good warranty. I like them, although I'm sure you will get mixed opinions on the web about them. But for a good savings over the OE cost, if you are DIY inclined, I think it's a good option. You can do the battery change with a wrench/socket set and ten minutes of your time, most of which will be used removing the power wires and the battery tie-down, then putting it back on. You'll also need to lift the battery in/out. Depending on your Costco, I've heard they'll do it for you for a small fee (check with them).

2) Or, if you are convinced that you want to spend about $190, and don't want to do it yourself - and there's nothing wrong with that - consider the Sears Diehard Platinum. About the same price, $189.99, with a four year replacement warranty and 100 month(!) pro-rated warranty. Plus it's rather robust. It'll be my choice in about three years, or when my current battery gives up the ghost, whichever comes first.

Of course, I plan on running additional power devices (stereo) so my needs may differ from yours.

Wal-Mart's not a bad place to go, and neither are Autozone or Pepboys, but check out the warranty first and do a good comparison.

ETA: Sears Diehard Gold is about $110, three year replacement, 100 month "warranty" if you want to save some money and just need a OE replacement type of battery.

[p_augustus]

Thank you for all your comments.

I'll go to firestone, sears and walmart and talk to them this weekend and see how it goes.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by p_augustus

Thank you for all your comments.

I'll go to firestone, sears and walmart and talk to them this weekend and see how it goes.

You would save more time and money (from driving around) by calling them and ask for a price quote over the phone.

[mcgill_redmen]

Costco sell car battery by Kirkland Signature brand and made by Johnson Control.
They also do installation and the price is right!