How often do you change your battery? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

islandboy57 · 10-27-2009, 10:25 PM

My battery will be at the five year mark soon. It's the original Panasonic battery - the one from Japan that you can't get down here. So far I don't see any signs of a weak battery but I know when a battery goes, it goes without warning.

Do any of you change your battery as preventative maintenance? I really don't want to get stuck so I was thinking about just changing it. My old coworker has an '02 Camry and as of six months ago, she was still on her original Panasonic battery too. She bought the car at the end of 2001 so the batt is/was 7-8 years old.

My driving habits are short trips during the week with more driving on the weekend usually. I know short city trips are hard on the batt so I'm very pleased with how long the OEM battery has lasted.

ToyotaTrav · 10-27-2009, 10:56 PM

Just from what I've been told over the years, 3-4 years, but I know of few people that actually do that. I remember seeing a Cressida for sale and the owner boasting it had the original 20 year old battery in it

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a shop (or someone with the right equipment) could just check the battery and let you know whether it's still as efficient as it should be...

freeyellow2000 · 10-28-2009, 09:23 AM

Most people DO NOT change the battery until it fails. There isn't really any tell tale sign as how long it will last. (tell tales, is the car won't start). Usually I gauge the quality of the battery internals based on the warranty they provide. (84 month warranty, ie 2-3 yr free replacement).

Dave's · 10-28-2009, 09:37 AM

I replaced the battery in my '92 when it failed after 8 years. Car was taken out of service before needing a new one. Just replaced the battery in my '01. We were gone for 2 weeks and came home to find it too weak to start. Jumpered and it seemed OK but as it turned cold I could tell it was weak as it didn't crank quite as fast as it should. Checked it when removed and it too was original and over 8 years old. Found out they now use a 35 as the 24R is no longer made apparently. New one has an 8 year total warranty but I doubt it will last that long. If someone doesn't kill the car (as happened with the other '92 and it's replacement '93) perhaps we'll see.

Hajoca · 10-28-2009, 12:07 PM

My 98's battery died on me in winter of 2007 when it was -20 C outside.

With you being in a milder climate (no freezing temperatures) you could probably use my dead / weak battery to start your car.

***BMR*** · 10-28-2009, 01:54 PM

I usually wait until it starts to sound "weak" cranking the engine over. Although when I lived in a very cold climate (North Dakota & Minnesota), I would replace it after 5 years or so.

spp · 10-28-2009, 05:31 PM

I used to wait until it went bad but now after many Toyotas I've started replacing it at the 4 year mark whether it needed it or not.
If you don't mind being stranded let it fail then replace but it never fails when it is convenient in my experience.

***humanoid*** · 10-28-2009, 05:51 PM

I replace the batteries in my cars every 4 years regardless. Extreme heat and cold can wreak havoc on a car battery, better to be safe than sorry. Don't be stranded in the middle of nowhere thinking that you should have changed that battery out before leaving for that trip.

zppeacock · 10-28-2009, 08:13 PM

I work at a toyota dealer ship, I see some of the orginal batterys last 7-9 years but nothing over 9.

Tom 2000 · 10-29-2009, 07:29 AM

The original Panasonic battery in my 2000 Camry lasted 8 years and 100K miles. That's the longest I got from an original battery.

For replacement batteries, I've always bought Die Hard Gold Batteries - the record is 11 years and 120K miles. The other Die Hards I bought for the other cars lasted a long time also, but I've sold the cars before the battery failed.

BlueFusion6851 · 10-29-2009, 10:14 AM

From what I remember in my families' older cars, anywhere from 3-7 years. I heard from one of my instructors that a friend of his used to take his battery out of his van and trickle charge it EVERY night. Ended up lasting him 11 years and then catastrophically failed. I can't wait to buy an AGM battery next.

islandboy57 · 10-29-2009, 09:10 PM

I'm tempted to just run my battery into the ground but I would be kicking myself in the ass if I got stuck just before class/work. The Hawaii heat here is pretty intense (the outside temp indicator usually shows 90-95 on a sunny day) so I'm sure that's hard on the battery. Just recently I replaced the battery on my mom's Camry - it lasted 37 or 38 months so I got back a decent prorated amount back when I turned it in for a new battery at Costco.

Considering a new battery is only $50 at Costco, I'll probably go that route. Thanks for the responses guys. I was just curious what everybody does. Nobody I know replaces their batteries proactively but I think I'd like to do that

- it ain't worth getting stuck!

islandboy57 · 10-29-2009, 09:12 PM

What do you guys think about the Optima batteries? I was debating whether or not it was worth it - but it would have to last 2-3x as long. I like the good quality stuff but I'm cheap too

***humanoid*** · 10-29-2009, 10:02 PM

They used to be good, but now I'm hearing reports they are getting crappy. Get the Die Hard Platinum, come very highly rated!

JustAnotherAsian · 10-29-2009, 11:48 PM

i change it the first time it hesitates. actually, that's how it goes for the rest of the toyotas in my family.

2003 with 150,000 miles, and it starts just like day one. 6 years is nothing compared to what i've seen with my family's toyotas- 12 years on original battery before loose ground clamp and corrosion killed the battery.