2001 Avalon Battery Alternatives

"John" <Me@myhome.net> wrote in message
news:v_TSd.14804$hd6.9981@bignews1.bellsouth.net...[color=blue]
> What brand of batteries have people used in their 2001 Avalon? I need a[/color]
new[color=blue]
> battery and would appreciate specific suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>[/color]
I had a hard time finding an exact fit "Premium" battery for my 98 Camry
(same size battery as 2001 Avalon). But I found the Autocraft TITANIUM 24F6
at Advance Auto Parts. They will install it for free in the parking lot if
you can find a store near you.

[url]http://www.advanceautoparts.com/[/url]

Whatever you do, if you let some idiot change your battery, examine the
installation before and after they install it to make sure all parts are
there. I had Sears do a Toyota battery once and he could not figure out the
simple rig to lock it down and left out half the parts.


"John" <Me@myhome.net> wrote in message
news:v_TSd.14804$hd6.9981@bignews1.bellsouth.net...[color=blue]
> What brand of batteries have people used in their 2001 Avalon? I need a
> new
> battery and would appreciate specific suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>[/color]

I'll probaby get some argument here but I think any properly sized name
brand battery will do. Batteries are much better than they were years ago
and these Toyotas don't require much cranking to get started. You might have
to consider cold cranking amperage or something if you live in a very cold
climate but I don't think it's important for the rest of us. I'm ready.
Fire!
jor[color=blue]
>[/color]
"John" <Me@myhome.net> wrote in message
news:v_TSd.14804$hd6.9981@bignews1.bellsouth.net...[color=blue]
> What brand of batteries have people used in their 2001 Avalon? I need a
> new
> battery and would appreciate specific suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>[/color]

John wrote:[color=blue]
> What brand of batteries have people used in their 2001 Avalon? I need
> a new battery and would appreciate specific suggestions.[/color]

Diehard Weatherhandler. My last one worked for 80 months before I
finally decided to replace it before taking a long trip.

"jor" <jor@jor.com> wrote in message
news:auKdnWCgA6fXDoHfRVn-tg@giganews.com...[color=blue]
> I'll probaby get some argument here but I think any properly sized name
> brand battery will do. Batteries are much better than they were years ago
> and these Toyotas don't require much cranking to get started. You might[/color]
have[color=blue]
> to consider cold cranking amperage or something if you live in a very cold
> climate but I don't think it's important for the rest of us. I'm ready.
> Fire!
> jor[color=green]
> >[/color][/color]
Name brand is not the only consideration. Most brands have several levels of
performance which will affect CCA and robustness of the battery. For many
people (not all) spending $20 extra to gain a little reliability is worth
the price.

The main concern for a Toyota is that may brands do not have an exact
replacement size for the OEM battery and they use a smaller battery to fit
in the designated space. This just means that you are getting a battery with
slightly less CCA than if it was the exact size.

That is why I recommended the Autolite Titanium 24FS at Advance Auto Parts.

"jor" <jor@jor.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>I'll probaby get some argument here but I think any properly sized name
>brand battery will do. Batteries are much better than they were years ago
>and these Toyotas don't require much cranking to get started. You might have
>to consider cold cranking amperage or something if you live in a very cold
>climate but I don't think it's important for the rest of us. I'm ready.
>Fire!
>jor[/color]

I agree totally...I've been driving for some 55 years and I use
whatever will fit physically, always have (I live in a cold (in
winter) country too)
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)

At the risk of having people snicker, I might suggest an Optima
battery, if you can find one to fit. You'll pay about $115, but in my
experience, as well as several friends, they'll push ten years on life.

Also, no problems with gunk build-up on the terminals, battery case,
tray, holddowns, etc. I never did enjoy yanking out 40 pound batteries
and scrubbing the trays, etc.

Never add water, and, if you run on rough roads (poorly maintained city
streets, or dirt and gravel), the Optima stands up well to vibration,
which along with heat is one of the big battery killers.

Bottomline: They cost a heck of a lot more, but in my experience they
are worry free for about a decade.

<timbirr@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:1109176860.322056.245660@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> At the risk of having people snicker, I might suggest an Optima
> battery, if you can find one to fit. You'll pay about $115, but in my
> experience, as well as several friends, they'll push ten years on life.
>
> Also, no problems with gunk build-up on the terminals, battery case,
> tray, holddowns, etc. I never did enjoy yanking out 40 pound batteries
> and scrubbing the trays, etc.
>
> Never add water, and, if you run on rough roads (poorly maintained city
> streets, or dirt and gravel), the Optima stands up well to vibration,
> which along with heat is one of the big battery killers.
>
> Bottomline: They cost a heck of a lot more, but in my experience they
> are worry free for about a decade.
>[/color]
If your OEM battery lasts 5 years (I replaced mine at 6.5 years, but it was
still working), then buying a new 10 year battery may be overkill unless you
expect to keep your car that much longer.

On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 14:17:58 GMT, "Art"
<begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote:[color=blue]
>"John" <Me@myhome.net> wrote in message
>news:v_TSd.14804$hd6.9981@bignews1.bellsouth.net...[/color]
[color=blue][color=green]
>> What brand of batteries have people used in their 2001 Avalon? I need a
>> new battery and would appreciate specific suggestions.[/color][/color]

Batteries are batteries, they are a commodity for the most part.
Compare by BCA group size (case dimensions), cranking amperage
ratings, reserve time (amp-hours) and warranty period - there are only
a half dozen or so battery manufacturers in the US, and they make the
private label batteries for smaller stores.

That said, Sears always seems to want more money for theirs, though
when they are on sale they are a good deal and a good battery. But
they seem to have little timers in them, and they always died on me
with a bit of warranty left when they were NOT on sale - and 5% off
the full price is no bargain at all.

I buy mine at Costco now, and no problems.

Whatever brand battery you get, you want one where you can get the
fill caps open to add distilled water once a year, even if you have to
cut the top label and pry out the flush caps with a putty knife -
"Maintenance Free" is a big fib. They still lose water, just not as
fast.

If you keep them full of distilled water properly, they'll last much
longer. Half the time when batteries die it's after they've run dry -
and once the top of the plates have been high and dry for any time,
you can't save the battery by filling them up.
[color=blue]
>Whatever you do, if you let some idiot change your battery, examine the
>installation before and after they install it to make sure all parts are
>there. I had Sears do a Toyota battery once and he could not figure out the
>simple rig to lock it down and left out half the parts.[/color]

That, and with the old battery out of the car, make sure to clean
out the battery tray and surrounding area before you install the new
one, including the inside of the hood /over/ the battery where the
fumes go.

Baking soda and water paste solution and an old paintbrush. Lather,
Rinse, Repeat, till it stops fizzing.

And always keep a large box of baking soda and a water source handy
whenever working on a battery. Stuff Happens.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

> Batteries are batteries, they are a commodity for the most part.[color=blue]
> Compare by BCA group size (case dimensions), cranking amperage
> ratings, reserve time (amp-hours) and warranty period - there are only
> a half dozen or so battery manufacturers in the US, and they make the
> private label batteries for smaller stores.
>
> That said, Sears always seems to want more money for theirs, though
> when they are on sale they are a good deal and a good battery. But
> they seem to have little timers in them, and they always died on me
> with a bit of warranty left when they were NOT on sale - and 5% off
> the full price is no bargain at all.
>[/color]
The Sears DieHard does not come in an exact fit size for the Avalon or
Camry. So you are getting a smaller battery with less CCA than should be the
case if they had the exact fit size. Advance Auto Parts carries an exact fit
size in a premium battery (comparable to the DieHard).

I'm on the 20 year plan with all vehicles...

<timbirr@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:1109176860.322056.245660@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> At the risk of having people snicker, I might suggest an Optima
> battery, if you can find one to fit. You'll pay about $115, but in my
> experience, as well as several friends, they'll push ten years on life.
>
> Also, no problems with gunk build-up on the terminals, battery case,
> tray, holddowns, etc. I never did enjoy yanking out 40 pound batteries
> and scrubbing the trays, etc.
>
> Never add water, and, if you run on rough roads (poorly maintained city
> streets, or dirt and gravel), the Optima stands up well to vibration,
> which along with heat is one of the big battery killers.
>
> Bottomline: They cost a heck of a lot more, but in my experience they
> are worry free for about a decade.
>[/color]
I;ve never owned a car longer than 3 years...never mind 10.

I always went with the "logic" put forth by the "Tappit Brothers"
([url]www.cartalk.com[/url]), who contend that IF you buy a new car, you need to
keep it at least 10 years, otherwise you are throwing away perfectly
good money that could be used to finance "your trip to Hawaii."

But, since I'm pretty particular about buying a quality car new and
trying to keep it well-maintained, the 20-year plan seems to work well
for me.

For others, two or three years with a car may make sense.

On 23 Feb 2005 11:49:41 -0800, [email]timbirr@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
>But, since I'm pretty particular about buying a quality car new and
>trying to keep it well-maintained, the 20-year plan seems to work well
>for me.[/color]

Well, that's very "practical" (code word for cheap). A little variety
in life is worth paying SOMETHING for...
[color=blue]
>For others, two or three years with a car may make sense.[/color]

Somewhere in-between for me, thanks.

In article <1109176860.322056.245660@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
[email]timbirr@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> Never add water, and, if you run on rough roads (poorly maintained city
> streets, or dirt and gravel), the Optima stands up well to vibration,
> which along with heat is one of the big battery killers.[/color]

All one has to do to keep OE Toyota batteries alive and well for many
years is to top it off with distilled water at every oil change.