Are Toyota TruStart Batteries AGM

So after 2.5 years in Arizona ( if you know you know... ) I'm starting to look at
battery replacement. The NeverStart ( everstart 3 year ) gets good reviews at a reasonable
price, like $100 less than the dealer TruStart.

But I read somewhere that these TruStarts are of the AGM variety.
Is this true?

The Everstart 24f is lead acid...
Assuming the Toyota TruStart is AGM is it that big of a deal?
We have to replace batteries here every 2~2.5 years anyway so why spend $100 more...

 

If there are vents and viewports on the top, then they're lead acid

 

Best battery I've ever had.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/battery/sli/sli27agmdpm

 

I'd say just get a lead acid at the best price you can find.
They're pretty much all the same and there are only a hand full of manufacturers that put different labels and markings for their varied customers

 

Right the NeverStart is made by Johnson Controls -

 

I would assume the Toyota battery is lead/acid. AGM's like mire charging voltage than the stock system provides, which will likely shorten battery life.

 

It's lead acid. The stock tune has the alternator output at 12.6V for lead acid. AGM require ~14.6 and so an AGM battery requires a tune.

 

So confusing...
AGM is just as much a lead-acid battery as a "flooded" (wet-cell) battery. All AGM means is that the acid is contained ("Absorbed") within "Glass" "Mats" (mats made of glass fibers between the plates).
(a lithium (LiFePO4) battery would be an example of one that is not lead-acid)

12.6V will not charge ANY lead battery (that is right about a lead battery's standing voltage). Stock charging system voltage should be ~14.4V.
AGM does normally tolerate a slightly higher charging voltage (14.6V, as you mention), but it is NOT a requirement to raise the voltage to use them (if it were, we'd hear a helluva lot more horror stories of early failure than we do).
However, in the hotter areas of Arizona, it would actually be in OP's best interest he NOT alter his charging system voltage since high heat actually reduces the upper voltage handling limit of ANY lead battery.

 

This pedantry is unnecessary: the bottom line is that the stock alternator tune will not fully charge a AGM battery. I think lead acid and AGM are common enough understood terms to differentiate.

This is why Northstar sell a battery voltage booster as a tune alternative: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-northstar-agm-battery-voltage-booster-upgrade.604478/

Yes, I misstated service vs charge voltage. The stock alternator output is ~14V under rev. A common 27F requires ~14.5 service charge.

I imagine if you actually check, your alternator isn’t putting out 14.5V.

 

Stock alternator puts out in the 13.6 to 13.7 range. Any more would shorten the 'flooded' (conventional) battery's life.

 

If you have a Costco membership, it's hard to beat their pricing and warranty

 

I guess you're right (sort of... I measured ~13.92V but then it dropped to around 13.83 after a few minutes)

Wonder why they lowered it (a 1989 Toyota I had put out 14.4V, as do the two Fords I own). None have had battery issues.

 

Good price and specs but I'm not a member... used to be years ago when we had kids and bought everything in bulk but no more LOL.

 

Warranty has changed btw. Used to be a full replacement or refund of the original price. It's now prorated like everywhere else.

 

I plan to go AGM after this OEM battery expires. I'll likely skip the tune and let 'er buck, but I also run with scissors.

 

Not unless it’s four years old. Johnson Controls sold its battery business to a private equity group in 2019. The business is called Clarios now.

 

Best lead acid batteries I've had have been deka's. They just seem to last longer then all the other brands I've used.

 

The Toyota surestart is not AGM. I have one. The dealer gave me one as a replacement for my failed oem battery. All they are is a long life warranty lead acid battery

 

Me too. Bought an AGM but decided not to change the stock charging voltage in my tune. I just throw my desulfating battery charger on it a few times year when I’m busy ripping tags off mattress’s. So far so good...