Another Battery replacement thread: 2012 2.7L 4x4 MT

Jumped into my truck yesterday and tried to start it and just a rapid clicking noise coming from starter. Turned on lights, heater blower etc and all were low performing. Jumped it and it barely started. Let it run about 25 minutes then it seemed ok and it started right back up after turning off. Sounds like the battery needs replaced. I'm original owner and I believe I had original battery replaced after 4 years? Which would mean this current battery is almost 5 years old (cannot believe I can't find receipt).

I live in Northern Ohio along lake where winters can be brutal (wind chills to -30+) to extremely hot summers we're experiencing this year. Have looked at Auto Zone, Advance Auto Parts and going to call Toyota Dealer Monday for pricing. Auto Zone & Advance seem to be around the $159 range (price not an issue if not outrageous). Neighbor can acquire me a discounted Interstate battery since he's in sales. Current Toyota battery is a 24F 582 CCA 125 min Reserve. What's your favorite battery and why?

 

FYI the batteries have a date code on top of them. Should give you an idea of how old it is.

 

OEM, Interstate, Napa Legend. I've had good luck with the house brand at Rural King too, for cheap. The Optima crowd with surely chime in, overkill for a DD. JMO.

 

Optima Red 35 because it's light (32 lb) and compact. Typ. Group 24F is 44 lb. However, you'll need an aftermarket battery hold down to avoid using the lanky plastic spacer included with the Optima.

 

Bingo! My hold down clamp is blocking this info. After church this morning I'll remove it and see exactly what it is. Thx!

 

Knock on wood my 2.7 is still on the battery from 2013.

 

Interstate from Costco should be about $100, you install.

Something to compare your friends offer to.

 

The battery can fail quite suddenly with no prior symptoms, and leave you stranded. Happened to me once in my work parking lot. Since then I just replace the battery every 5 years.

 

It doesn't take much to push start my regular cab. Big perk to choosing a manual over an auto.

 

Yes and I have roadside assistance and a Li-Po booster pack (for the trails) if necessary. But why inconvenience yourself instead of just replacing the battery on a calendar interval?

 

The original battery in my Tacoma failed overnight. I had probably driven four or five hours the previous day, then when I went to start it the next morning, completely dead! I didn't even heard the solenoid clicking. Got a jump, then drove to an Advance Auto to have it tested. I think it has about 20% of it's original CCAs. Replaced it with one of their silver batteries, and that's been going for over 5 years. (That battery tested around 75% at my last state inspection, so I'll keep running it a little longer.)

 

Interstate batteries are best, easiest to warranty, always test well.

Pro tip, after you reconnect the new battery, turn the key on, but do no start. Let the truck sit for 10 seconds then start. This allows the throttle to sweep and adjust. If not done right the idle takes much longer to relearn.

 

Used interstate for years in all our vehicles and have never had any problems or been left stranded

 

I tried starting my Tacoma around 1pm after I had jumped it yesterday to see if it was dead. Yep, starter was ticking like a full auto rifle all over again. Definitely a dead battery! Took the old battery out and cleaned/wire brushed both terminals, new electrical tape on leads, cleaned and spray painted a few rust spots under battery tray. Looks great, ready for new battery once I decide which one I want.

I then looked for a date of manufacture on my Toyota 24F battery. Could only find 111024 2222Y. Now could that mean my battery was made October 10, 2011? If so, then this is possibly the original battery. Again, I thought I replaced it in 2016 but can't find the invoice or even remember doing it. My truck was made 11/11 on data plate and I purchased new 11/18/2011. Could be original battery then. 8 years and 10 months seems like a "LONG TIME" on one battery. Wow.....

 

Battery threads are similar to oil threads , everyone has an opinion. Here’s my take on it. For 40 years I’ve replaced batteries on well over a dozen of my vehicles, plus my boats. All I use are either Costco or Walmart batteries. Every single one has lasted over 5 years with one exception. My wife’s Costco battery in her Honda was not holding a charge at 3 years. Brought it back to Costco and got a new batter free under the warranty. No problem.
In my truck I use 27F series not the 24 series. They last longer and have more cca. If you get a 27f series from Costco or Walmart you can get them for about $100. Now, at 5 years I just automatically replace my battery’s. It’s cheap doing that. Works out to be about $20 a year for your battery. It makes absolutely zero sense to me to run a battery until it fails, especially when it’s so cheap to replace them at 5 years. When they fail it’s almost always at the worst possible time and place.
So easy peasy 1) get a Costco or Walmart battery and save money. 2) Get a 27F series for easier starting, more cca. 3) Replace your battery every 5 years , avoid hassles and problems.

 

I'm considering replacing my 2011 battery when I install my front bumper and winch. Most winches call for 650 cca or more. I know that a lot of after market batteries are made by the same factory and just given different stickers and sold by other outlets. Not looking at Optima since their quality has gone downhill in the last decade especially. Perhaps a 700cca Interstate is in my future. If I can even get one to fit.

 

can you say EVERSTART? I can

 

Typ. group 27F battery is about 50 lb. Typ. group 24F battery is about 44 lb. Typ. group 35 battery is about 32 lb. If you drive a 4-cyl., by mindful of the weight.

An Optima Red Top 35 is the same weight as a typ. group 35 battery, but delivers 720 CCA. It however isn't a deep-cycle battery, with only 90-min. reserve capacity, so don't use it if you need to run a lot of lights or a fridge with the engine off.

 

Having just watched a YouTube video by Project Farm I'm going to go with the Group 27 Everstart Maxx @ 810 cca. It was the best performer at the lower price. The host is a little geeky, but Dude really knows how to break it down in a product "Shoot Out".

 

Yesterday I installed a new Interstate MT-24F which is a 600 CCA 2yr Warranty that a neighbor acquired for me under $93. Can't complain. This battery is same dimensions as my previous OEM Toyota but is 8 3/4" high vs OEM 8". Still a perfect fit.