Preemptive Battery Replacement

Went by my local tire place today to get a rotation done, and it so happens they are an Interstate battery dealer. So of course they did a battery health check that had a little printout with CCA/voltage specs they came up with for my battery. I guess factory CCA for the 27f OEM batt is 710, mine was checked at 588, and I guess voltage was 12.5 which seemed fine to me.

Guy wasn't trying to get me to buy a battery, but he just said battery is "Ok" but would be fine to preemptively replace not too far down the line. I've seen people get some good years out of OEM batteries, and mine isn't quite at 4 years yet.

I'll admit I haven't topped off the distilled water level ever, I doubt dealer had ever done it when I had the 25k free services done.

Question is do those stats look fine or should I replace? Battery still cranks fine, and hasn't given me any problems yet.

 

They dont last long. Usually they will die with little notice and suddenly. Mine is a 2013 with 55k miles and I figure Im due for a new battery very soon.

 

I have to deal with customer's lead acid battery issues all the time in my field of employment...sometimes a little too much. 518 cca is pretty acceptable for a battery which approaching 4 years old, if it's original cca rating is 710. Once it starts dipping below 200, it's time to figure out which vendor is selling good batteries in your area. I say replace it once it touches 200 cca or less, otherwise you may have a problem starting on a cold temperature morning. And lower voltage also does bad things for the ecu.

Also, I prefer doing an off vehicle test. It's better to charge the battery with a good charger to full capacity, let it rest for 15 minutes or so, then use the battery tester. I don't like invehicle test because if it's in-vehicle, just having the tech start the car and move it into the garage bay will decrease the battery voltage, and throw off the measurement, unless the car is allowed to idle to recharge the battery(which usually won't happen). Those testers also need to have full engagement with the lead terminal posts...otherwise that throws off the measurement as well.

 

My 2011 just died with 75000 on the clock. They do die suddenly! I backed the truck out if the garage. Swept the garage out, and then the truck wouldn't start to pull it back in! All of the batteries that I have had fail have been this way. They work fine, and then nothing.

 

It's a good idea to replace it before it goes from "ok" to "not ok." I replaced mine at the 5 year mark. Could it gone another year? Sure, but why put yourself in a situation where you're out in the middle of nowhere and it dies on you?

 

Thanks for all the replies thus far. I might just give it another 6mo-1 year and go ahead and swap it out.

 

Just replaced a 9 year old Exide battery in the POS beater econo shitbox I use for around town errands. It's needed replacing for at least 3 years as it's been barely starting for at least that long but it only now finally died. New battery and the thing turns over better than ever.

I personally won't replace a battery until it starts to struggle starting. I'm pretty sure with the higher compression of the Tacoma the OE battery is not going to last nearly as long. I may check out the Exide AGM battery for my pickup.

 

I went 8 years before the OEM battery died. Purchased 10/05 new battery 11/13.

 

My 2015 is my 5th Tacoma. I've had to replace every battery at the 3 year mark.

 

I preemptively changed my OEM battery out after 7 years for a Northstar AGM 27F

 

If you off-road or spend much time on bumpy roads I also recommend an AGM battery. The advice about charging it and checking it yourself is spot on. I use an electronic charger to take care of mine and I think it really helps with longevity plus it is more obvious when it is time to change it.

When out of range of a quick AAA service call I carry one of those jump starter boxes. They are pretty cheap for the assurance of not being in the middle of the wilderness with a truck that won't turn over. Just make sure to keep it charged.

 

Typically I wait until I hear it starting to struggle to start or until it dies once. I always have jumpers so once I get it back home I use Mrs QC Hawks car and go battery shopping with the core in hand.

 

In my climate I live by the 5 year/100k/60mi rule. I change them pre-emptively to prevent any issues. Most batteries here are good to 7, when they start to fail.

588@12.5 is good though. No need to worry at all.

 

That's been my experience. Fine one day - gone the next.

 

FYI OP my original battery in my 2013 (manufactured in mid august 2013) died on me right at 3 years (right about a month ago). Its seen MANY days of below freezing in the mtns, to above 110* in the desert over its life. I always kept it topped off with distilled water and one day it just went up n poof, one slow crank the next morning and then the starter relay click of death. Up until then, no issues, no slow cranking no signs of upcomming failure.

Harbor Freight jumper pack to the rescue, drove to walmart, got a Group 24F (yes smaller) but it has more CCA's and a nice big warranty at a chain that is nation wide.

needless to say... unless you have a jumperpack with you all the time, replace it.

 

I think you have a little more life left in that battery. My original battery lasted 6 years. When it died, I took it to an Advance Auto to have it checked. It was putting out <250 amps, so I replaced it. Hopefully you'll get another year (or two) out of your battery.

Keep your battery terminals clean. That will minimize your wire resistance so you'll be able to get all of those 588 CCAs out of it.

 

Have averaged about 6 years on batteries, but about 67% highway miles vs city.
Have had them die both ways 1-slow crank warning 2-no warning at all.
Dodged a bullet a few years ago - had camped in the Rockies, about 5 miles off-highway down a forest service road for a couple of days, broke camp and drove to a motel, primarily for a shower. Registered, walked out to park the truck, and .... nothing. Motel owner gave me a push start, drove straight to auto parts place and replaced.

 

So what should you take from all this input?

A big old Definitely Maybe.

 

Thanks everyone for continued responses!

Lol yeah that's what I learned.

So I'm going to give it probably 6 mo to a year and just change it out after I figure out which new battery I want. Seems like anyone who changes the out ahead of time does so about 4-5 year mark. In the mean time I am going to pick up one of those small jumpers, like the Noco or Antigravity models as soon as I figure out which one has better reviews/customer service/warranty. They both seem comparable. Seems like a good piece of kit to have regardless of battery status.

Now to sort out which battery to get. So many of them seem like hit or miss garbage. Not going for an Optima. Sears DH Platinum is discontinued, so that's out. Maybe an Odyssey, idk, will keep reserching. Seems like a lot of people just pick up what's local with best warranty and specs.

 

Your standard batteries are pretty much all the same. Get one with the longest warranty at a chain thats the most available to your.

This is why i went with a group 24F maxxlife from wallmart.