Which battery should I run?

That is what I got yesterday. Dead battery is also Duralast but not Gold and its 24F. It was installed already when I got my Tacoma 5 years ago. Date on the old battery is 8/14. I got my truck in November 2014. I never liked this smaller battery and always have been getting feeling the startup is somehow week but since battery was brand new at the time I did not want replace it. Finally after just month over 5 years its dead. Not much warning. First morning my startup was somehow sluggish and next day battery is gone. 24F and 27F are same price in AZ. I am hooping Duralast Gold will last more then regular Duralast even I am not sure how long I will keep this Taco.
Also I got nice discount since AZ will match the price with other competitors. Currently PepBoys have 27F Bosh battery on sale for 119.99 but that battery, per some reviews, has a hard time to fit in Tacoma. So original price 159.99 got knocked down to 119.99. For 27F battery I ma happy with price.

 

Last month I bought a Toyota branded 27F battery from the dealer, $134, 7 year warranty.

My factory battery wasn't dead yet, but I travel to some remote places, so I tend to change mine preemptively before they die (especially before winter) in the warm comfort of my garage. A few dollars or changing a year too early is worth it to me for the peace of mind.

 

I was about to check dealer too but stopped at AZ and since they agreed to lower the price I bought there. 7 years is great warranty. But that is 2 years free replacement and then 5 years prorated, you get discount for new one it depend on the time when your battery die after 2 years. Duralast Gold is 3 years free replacement and 2 years prorated.

 

Keep in mind that all battery manufacturers prorate on the full on list price. So, at some point in the timeline, it's actually cheaper to just buy a replacement battery at the sale/internet/price match price, rather than buy at the prorated warranty price. So, in reality, X years prorated is not really X years. However, buying a quality 5 year battery will still get you a better battery than a 2 year battery.

 

I agree. I think Toyota calculate something like 0-2 years free battery, 2-4 years 50% off, 4-6 years 25% off, and last year is probably you saving just tax. After 4 years if battery die you might be paying more then other place have a battery on sale. Looks like with 7 years prorated they just want be sure you will be back for new battery.
I checked Interstate dealer close to my house and they have 27F battery with exactly same spec as TrueStart and Duralast Gold. Price is 149.99. I did not have time to go there and see if they are willing negotiate the price, but their warranty is 2.5 years free replacement. 6 years prorated, and same as Toyota last year is 10% off.
So out of this 3 options I ended with Duralast, thankfully "match the competitor price" rule and limited lunch time that I used for shopping.

Not sure if there is anybody that offer 5 years free replacement for batteries now.

 

The Batteries+ X2 batteries are 5 year free replacement. They're spendy, but if you use the buy online pick up in store, and the rebate, it get's the price down a little bit. I've gotten spoiled by them, knowing I don't have to worry about buying a battery for 5 years and if I'm lucky, it'll fail in 4 years, 11 months, 23 days.

 

I run the Duralast gold 27f in my taco and land cruiser. Been a great battery in both with zero issues and they have the 5year warranty. $159 regular price and sometimes you can get a coupon and save a few more bucks.

 

Fixed that for you.

Those batteries are legitimate garbage. They all leak acid like crazy. I rate them about as high as I rate Interstate batteries. A solid 3/10.

Warranty means nothing if the acid they leak out destroys your terminals.

 

Just picked up an interstate 27f for 93 and change at Costco. It will get by for a couple of years and I'll eventually replace it with a northstar 27f during a group buy.

 

Where did it say it was manufactured?
I just killed the original that was made in japan (2005) a couple months ago.
Who knows how long it might have lasted if I wasn't a putz.

 

Think I’m leaning towards the Northstar, overkill for my application, might as well do it right the first time lol!

 

Toyota TrueStart brand, 27F, 84 month coverage. $134 from the dealer. Distributed by Toyota Motor Sales USA in Plano, TX. Manufactured in Mexico.

 

I have been running the Auto Zone Deralast Gold. They have the 27A. I just replaced mine two days ago. Been running there batteries in both my vehicles for years. Getting about 2 1/2 to 3 years out of them in the Arizona heat.

 

I have found that when you detect that weak feeling at starte up have it checked. It's letting you know it's going! That is what I do. I also check the water leval every mouth and don't forget to put anti-corrosion stuff on your terminals it helps big time.

 

I just picked up one of these and they must have changed the design, as the risen caps are no longer there, and the battery is too tall to work with the stock tie-down.

 

Maintaining the battery probably will extend its life. I did check old battery for voltage and seems to me it was still holding the charge. That second morning Taco started but all lights on dashboard and alarm came on. Then I turned off the car and after that I wasn't able start it again. Since I was on my way to work, and wife did not go anywhere that day, I just jumped into her car and left my Taco on driveway. I was about to mess with old battery but then I just decide to return it to AZ and get back core charge of $18. I did not check water level even I had feeling that old battery was still usable. Bought new one same day during the lunch break and like I said just did not want spend time messing around with old one.

 

AZ will match price. So if you see any other store have sale on 27F ask for match price. I got mine for $119.99.
I did same think when I was buying battery for wife's CRV. They matched Walmart price for same size battery. And I was expecting they will give me regular Duralast but insted they got me Gold.

 

I am hopping I will get more then 3 years out of the Golds here in TX. I know that the heat killing the batteries but my cars are mostly parked in garage. Like I said in one of the previous posts regular Duralast 24F lasted 5 years in my Taco.

 

AAA was the best. They came to my house, tested alternator and battery. Changed out the battery, took the old one away, and offered a bottle of water. Costed $110. Well worth the extra few bucks rather than me running around town swapping batteries.

 

When it was time for me to replace mine the salesman tried to sell me the smaller version this was after I explained I needed the full size 27F. Wanted all the CCA I could get....
The theme here is you get what you pay for and the value is in the warranties. I also understand batteries are susceptible to temperature swings so if you live in a high temperature zone/area go with a good warranty. Other considerations will be of course is you want gel or wet cells....