1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Should I perform a preemptive battery change?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Markcal, Aug 22, 2016.

?

Should I perform a preemptive battery change?

  1. yes

    67.3%
  2. no

    32.7%
  1. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:29 PM
    #21
    timothom

    timothom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2014
    Member:
    #136879
    Messages:
    863
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma Access cab sr5
    Kenwood DMX7705S PrecisionPower Phantom 900.4 Alpine type-r 8" Image Dyanmics CXS64.2
    I say replace it. I know a guy with a 2005 Silverado that had some electrical issues. Turns out one of the wires/connectors in a wiring harness under the hood fried. We fixed it by re-soldering it. The mechanic that found it said that he'd seen a weak battery cause issues like that. Less volts = more amps to do the same thing, and I guess that taxes electrical connections harder?

    I say replace the battery before you have issues.
     
    Markcal[OP] likes this.
  2. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:31 PM
    #22
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    I think that is why mine has lasted so long, but I did have a deep discharge, when I left my keys in the ignition over night and that is on my mind as well. It came back, but whenever you deeply discharge a battery it's never good and sometimes shortens its life. I don't notice any symptoms, but with modern vehicles, most of the time the first symptom is a no start and I'm trying to avoid that this winter.
     
  3. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:33 PM
    #23
    blacktacomatrd

    blacktacomatrd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Member:
    #139064
    Messages:
    69
    Gender:
    Male
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2015 TRD OR DCSB / 2013 Ducati Monster 796
    Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs -265/75/16 35% Front tint 35% Windshied tint strip AVS rain guards LED dome and map lights Removed factory mud flaps De-badged Rear diff breather relocation
    This.

    Then when you see people stranded this winter trying to get their vehicles jump started you can say "fuck yes, thank god that's not me"
     
  4. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:38 PM
    #24
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    Remember Murphy's law- Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
     
  5. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:45 PM
    #25
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Member:
    #114055
    Messages:
    14,604
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    13 DCSB TRD OR v6 Auto
    Original battery?

    My original just up and quit on me this weekend, almost exactly 3 years of use. Decided to grab a group 24F (as the 27F batterys are HARD TO FIND, and a regular 27 the wires are just a smidge too short to reach the opposite end when you spin the battery around) Either way the aftermarket 24F had better CCA's and more reserve capacity than the 27F original. Grabbed a maxx battery from walmart as they had the best warranty and well nationwide coverage should anything go wrong.

    Either way, replace it, at 7 years you have gotten the full life out of it for sure.
     
    digitaLbraVo and Markcal[OP] like this.
  6. Aug 22, 2016 at 12:52 PM
    #26
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    The first/last was the original and lasted 3 years too, but I know my billet grill shortened it's life. I agree about the CCA's of the Maxx battery from Walmart and that was my plan. For what it's worth, Consumer Reports rated the everstart maxx battery at Walmart as the best.
     
  7. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:02 PM
    #27
    jethro

    jethro Master Baiter

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    Member:
    #21734
    Messages:
    6,030
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Geoff
    Southern NH
    Vehicle:
    2020 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.0L V8
    They do die without warning sometimes. Mine was strong and normal one day, the next I was calling a buddy for a jump.
     
  8. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:06 PM
    #28
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    Are you saying that replacing the battery preemptively will spoil my Tacoma and it will expect a battery replacement this early next time, so it will fail preemptively too?
     
  9. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:10 PM
    #29
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    That happen the last time and it's something that I'd rather avoid, especially in the winter. I think peace of mind trumps the cost saving + having the choice when you replace, rather being stuck and have no choice.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2016
  10. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:27 PM
    #30
    Tacoma Dave

    Tacoma Dave Long time lurker

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2013
    Member:
    #118646
    Messages:
    139
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Oakley, CA
    Vehicle:
    04 xtra cab trd
    2004 trd off road 4X4, 265 75 r16 bfg at, bilstein 5100 all around front at 1in, rear firestone ride rite air bags
    I think it really depends on the type of battery you have. Not all batteries are the same. I have a interstate mega tron plus 85 and its been 8 years and going strong. Given that this has alot more cca's than a standard battery, its lasted without one jump start. :thumbsup: But imho i would replace it if you can, 7 years is past the avg life of a battery.
     
    Markcal[OP] likes this.
  11. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:34 PM
    #31
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    My first/last battery was replaced under warranty, so I have the exact type of battery that was installed new and the Toyota battery has a pro-rated warranty of 8 years and I was hoping to at least reach that, but trying to guess when a battery will die, is like guessing how long you will live, so the peace of mind seems to trump an extra year or two IMO.
     
  12. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:39 PM
    #32
    CQB 1911

    CQB 1911 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2011
    Member:
    #63202
    Messages:
    531
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jesse
    AZ.
    Vehicle:
    2010 TRD OR AC
    We're lucky to get 2 years out of a battery here in AZ. I just upgraded to a Nothstar Group31M and Pelfrey battery cage, and I'm diggin it so far.
     
  13. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:39 PM
    #33
    Mush Mouse

    Mush Mouse Club Soda Not Seals

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2010
    Member:
    #35188
    Messages:
    4,727
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    mush
    where ever you want me to be
    Vehicle:
    2013 SR5
    its a Toyota truck and that's all the modifications needed
    jumper cables
     
  14. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:42 PM
    #34
    Lake Taco

    Lake Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2016
    Member:
    #187159
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    KS
    Vehicle:
    2016 SR Utility 4x4 I4 Standard Transmission
    Cruise Nerf Bars
    My last dead battery died with absolutely zero warning. If you go anywhere you'd have to walk out, I'd go straight to the new one. Murphy: if it can fail, it will fail, at the worst possible moment in time and space (unless you bet on it, which you may be doing).
     
    Markcal[OP] likes this.
  15. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:45 PM
    #35
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    With temperatures sometimes over 110's, they should design batteries that have a cooling unit built in when under extreme temperatures like in Death Valley/Southwest?
     
  16. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:48 PM
    #36
    Cmurder

    Cmurder 2011 TX TRD Offroad

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2011
    Member:
    #69640
    Messages:
    2,333
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    B.C.
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2011 TX TRD Offroad
    nothing cool
    My truck is a 2011 and mine finally died last month with no warning. Luckily it was in my driveway. I'd just replace it. Mine was only $100 from the dealer.
     
  17. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:48 PM
    #37
    Kilokato

    Kilokato Go Vols!

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2008
    Member:
    #10996
    Messages:
    830
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    East Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2016 SR5 Access Cab V6 Auto 4wd
    Limited wheels, extra rope hooks in bed.
    Well then change it...

    I have been getting 10-12 years easily with Interstate batteries...
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  18. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:49 PM
    #38
    t4daddy

    t4daddy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2010
    Member:
    #39041
    Messages:
    7,455
    Gender:
    Male
    North Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2008 PreRunner Double Cab
    What type of trickle charger are you using? Some actually "cycle" your battery by slightly discharging and then trickle back to full capacity. Some just tickle to full and then cut off. Is this a daily driver?
    I fully understand that heat is what kills a battery, cold is just when it shows up. But I doubt very seriously the billit grill had any hand in your last batteries undoing. Think about it, your battery sits right behind the headlight so it's getting very little direct air flow period. I think, like everything, you can a good one or a bad one. With all that being said, I'd replace it just for the piece of mind.
     
  19. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:50 PM
    #39
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    Member:
    #136147
    Messages:
    3,115
    After having one battery die without warning, I'd rather say "I replaced it a little early" and not "I should of replaced it a little earlier", especially when you need to be somewhere is the time it will die.
     
  20. Aug 22, 2016 at 1:52 PM
    #40
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,796
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks

Products Discussed in

To Top