Stock battery life expectancy in AZ?

My 2014 Tacoma TRD Off-road just had its battery replaced today. Running pretty much stock with 19k on the odometer and about one year and a half, and was replaced under warranty. Dealership said I get another 2 year replacement for the stock Toyota battery. Question is, should I just get an upgraded battery or stick with OEM? I have had Optima red tops in my previous vehicles but know that they kinda suck now. What are you all running in your vehicles in Arizona? Die hard, Interstate, Duralast etc...

 

I only run Optimas. They used to last 5-6 years. They last 3-4years now. A good wet cell will last around 3years in AZ also. But I don't like to deal with corrosion on my battery cables. Your OEM battery should last around 3 years.

 

My experience with wet cell batteries in AZ is a wee bit different. I've found that most of the wet cell batteries have typically died in about 2 years max.

This climate is just plain tough on car batteries...

 

OEM stock cause it's free, until you have to go into your own pocket. On my 13 I got about 20k. Got better things to spend my money on. 2 cents.

 

I will use the OEM battery until the warranty runs out. Just wanted to know what the alternatives are for when I have to buy a new battery on my own dime.

 

Costco! No hassle warranty, Interstate batteries. Cheapest in town and as good as any other

 

About 75% of the battery's OEM and after market are made by Johnson Controls in Mexico They make automotive, aircraft and industrial battery's and sell under many brand names including Optima The other major players are Exide and Interstate for automotive use. Most OEM battery's are conventional flooded cell [wet] battery's and for a daily driver work great and I expect 3 to 4 years of normal service. Over charge and corroded terminals are there worst enemy's +heat is a killer. An AGM battery is a great option for any application where severe shock and vibration [off road ] are a problem they are stronger spill proof and as general rule have more capacity in a given size than a flooded cell but are more apt to be destroy by overcharge and heat. In my experience Interstate and Johnson make great products, Exide makes a good Battery but they tend to leak and corrode more than the others. Bottom line Buy the best you can afford and any of them should last you through 3 or4 AZ summers.

 

Yeah my Stock 2012 battery leaked acid everywhere and the dealer wouldn't do anything till it died. I went to Sear Platinum (before it died) to replace it. Keep the stock and do a dual battery setup while the stock is still good, then you are totally covered.