Costco Interstate Batteries

I have a 2013 Tacoma 4.0L. The last battery I had was a Duralast Gold from Auto Zone that I got for around $150 in 2017 that lasted 6 years and 2 months. They are now $200. Anyone use this Interstate battery from Costco? How long did it last?

 

Everyone will have an opinion and try and spend your money, but Interstate batteries are good and buying it at Costco, if it doesn't last the 36 months, they will prorate you back the amount of money for the time it didn't last. That's a pretty good price all things considered.

 

6 years. $150. $25/yr. I mean….

 

The Duralast is like $209 now. Since Costco opens late like 9am, I might just hit up Autozone at 7:30am.

 

I use the dealership battery.
-good quality
-large size
-warranty
-good price

 

I put an Interstate in my 2013 last June and 0 issues as expected. Immediately cranks over every time now, no hesitation.

 

Reposting this - again.

My '09 Tacoma was built in November of 2008.

In October of 2014 (6 years) the OEM Group 27F battery died. I almost died when I saw what Toyota wanted for a replacement. That day, I spliced 2" of AWG #6 wire onto the negative lead (which, according to my notes, cost me <$20 for wire, the correct size butt splice, and heat shrink tubing), which enabled me to use a non "F" battery in my truck. The next day, I bought a Walmart Group 27 Deep Cycle Marine battery for $87 in Massachusetts, and I changed the battery in the Walmart parking lot. In November of 2021 (7 years later), while the battery load/resistance tested OK at Advance Auto Parts, I decided that I was pushing my luck, and bought my second Group 27 Deep Cycle Marine battery from Walmart. This time it cost me $92 with Florida's state tax. I am still running that battery today.


EverStart Lead Acid Marine & RV Deep Cycle Battery, Group Size 27DC 12 Volt, 740 MCA = 937.5 CCA - I see that the price is now up to $94.

You do you. However, despite the forum-know-it-all predictions of short circuits and the need for a $300+ AGM battery every 5 years in every vehicle (you guys crack me up); in the 10 years that I have been running with the extra 2" of negative lead, and Marine Deep Cycle batteries in my truck, I have had no DC or battery related issues!

MY total cost for batteries in the 15 years that I have owned my Tacoma has been <$200.

[Editing to add]
From Google:
"Marine batteries feature thicker internal lead plates than car batteries. This allows them to discharge energy over a longer period of time. Housings are also typically larger than an equivalent car battery, with extra plastic protection since boating environments are not nearly as smooth as on-road driving."

From me:
"I like Marine Batteries because they have two post types for each terminal. There is the typical "car battery post," and a bolt post which uses an (included) nut to secure the connection. I use the typical post for connection to the vehicle, and the bolt for connection to my battery tender, or I could also use it for high current accessories (winch, etc.)"

From http://everstartbattery.net/
"EverStart is a battery brand exclusively distributed and sold by the retail giant Walmart. Its developer and manufacture is the Milwaukee based company Johnson Controls. Though not that popular, Johnson Controls is a giant company producing automotive interior systems including electronics and batteries....

... marine or deep cycle types are capable of delivering constant rate of energy for a longer period of time. So if you need long lasting power for your vehicle or even household power needs, this is the best type to choose."
[/Edit]

 

I recently replaced a autozone battery after 5 years with a Interstate from Costco, The battery wasn't bad yet but I could tell on cold days it was starting to getting tired. In my searching which consisted of checking a few places on the internet I found the Interstate had better CCA then most of the others I looked at in a similar price range. It wasn't an extensive search though. The difference in the way it spins up the motor was immediately obvious. For me the costco deal was worth it, I solicit them when it makes sense since it helps pay for the membership.

 

3.5 years but I am sure it would have gone longer...

My original Toyota battery lasted about 5.5 years. Replaced it with an Interstate 27F from Costco.

Last month at about 3.5 years old the sound when starting was a little different, just slightly more strained. It never left me stranded/needing a jump start. Stopped by Interstate and they tested it, said it was down a bit but not an urgent concern. (I didn't get the numbers from their test.)

Proactively replaced it with the same thing as it's only $110 at Costco. Not worth it to me to wait for it to die.



It recently came up on this thread, post 161 and 177:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-battery-for-oem-replacement.560675/page-9#post-28270355

 

That is a good take on it. Costco membership and use Costco Citi Card does make it a little less.

 

Thanks for sharing the thread. Bookmarked it for future reference!!

 

I use them. I replace them about every 4-5 years proactively.

 

Pretty sure what scares a lot people away from them is seeing they only have a one year warranty and not looking beyond that. Of course there are those who insist on spending as much as possible for everything.

 

I've been rocking a Costco interstate in my 2007 4.0L for a couple of years now. No issues, I would recommend.

 

I have 3 vehicles, including my 2013 Tacoma, with Interstate batteries from Costco. No issues.

 

Battery discussions are like assholes , everyone has one. Here’s my 2 cents worth. I’ve been using Costco and Walmart batteries in all my vehicles and boats for over 20 years. Never had a problem, not one single problem. They have all lasted at least 5 years. I will continue to purchase Costco and sometimes Walmart batteries.

Here’s something else I do, I consider battery replacement as a regular routine maintenance item. I don’t keep running a battery until it fails, sorry but I think that is a dumb approach. I replace all my batteries at 5 years. For a $125 battery that works out to be about $25 a year, a little over $2 a month. That is damn cheap. Since that approach is so cheap it makes no sense to run a battery until it fails. They usually fail at the worst times and worst places and you really don’t save any $$$.

 

Common sense AND critical thinking all rolled into one.

 

Original 2 years, aftermarket replacement still cranking at 160K in my 2011.

 

Three companies in the US manufacture MOST automotive batteries; Johnson Controls, East Penn, and Exide.

Duralast is made by Johnson Controls
Interstate is made by Johnson Controls

They are the same battery with a different sticker.

I just installed an Interstate from Costco; so far so good. It replaced a six year old Duralast. I guess Johnson Controls makes some decent stuff...

 

In general, per factory guidelines a keyfob is to have a certain high quality battery inside to work.
Not Safeway. Not Home Depot. If it does, the warranty claim is denied.
it is not that way for profit. They are cheap, and sometimes given out for free.

use your own judgement on how you feel that applies to a high quality dealer battery with warranty for about the same cost, available at any dealer nearby
versus something from Autozone.

the dealer one works. It’s what they use from factory and what they designed to work with. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Ie switch to Walmart.

But this matters more on other vehicles like a luxury vehicle with sophisticated charging system powering 80 modules instead of 3.