OEM Battery life...not good.

Pretty normal that when batteries go they go without notice ( or a couple sluggish starts). Not a Tacoma only thing. But agree that 2 years is too short.

 

I’m in the market for a new battery. With all the negativity about the OEM battery, suggestions for a replacement battery. I have a 2016 TRD Sport 4x4 with technology and towing package.

 

My original 2016 is still going even through hot ass south Florida summers.

 

Mine lasted about a year.

 

My battery lasted about 9 months before it started losing charge and causing hard starts - before it died completely I took it to Autozone and had it tested and I forget what it was but it was very low and would have left me stranded or in need of a jump during the winter had I not addressed it. Replaced with an AGM deep cell battery (X2 Power - which is just a Northstar branded for BatteriesPlus) which came with a 5 year warranty and has been strong for 2.5yrs since. Highly recommend.

 

I typically get 3-4 years out of one. An engine bay is the worst environment for a battery. Where you live (hot and cold) really has an effect on longevity. Heat absolutely kills a lead acid battery. You can get a little longer out of them if you keep keep the electrolyte level above the plates and keep them 100% charged. Every few weeks I put my charger on it and set to deep cycle mode. This will "bubble" off some of the sulfate from the plates and help last longer. I then top off with distilled water. I do not believe in spending double the money on a Optima AGM battery that maybe last 10% longer plus the charging system in our trucks is not designed for the slow and low voltage necessary on an AGM type battery. AGM batteries can be killed with over charging where lead acid batteries just boil off more water which can be replaced. Batteries are consumables like tires. They wear out and must be replaced every few years.

Edit: When buying a battery walk into your local Autozone, Walmart, etc. with your volt meter. DO NOT buy a battery that has less than 12.5 volts. That means it's been sitting on the self and sulfating for months without a charge. I piss them off because I usually get the one in the back of the shelf which are the newest from the factory.

 

The battery in my 2016 lasted about 2 years. The dealership had to "test it" before replacing it with a True Start last summer.
After this one goes, I'll replace it with a good quality flooded battery.

Cheers

 

OEM in my 2015 Taco died at 2 years. 27 months from manuf date.

OEM on my 2005 Taco lasted a bit over 6 years, 95000 miles.

OEM in my 2008 Highlander lasted 5 yr.

FYI, Northstar batteries are expensive but they have a 5 year full replacement warranty.

 

Long wait times due to the fact they have to hook it up to a diagnostic battery tester that spits out a code that is used for warranty replacement purposes. Trust me

 

My OEM 2014 WRX Battery was still going strong when I traded it 2 weeks ago. 5.5 years. MT pooped the bed though....so trade offs...

 

:shrug: My previous C55 AMG was on it's original battery for 10 years before it died.

 

Im might catch a little flack on this but when i replaced the battery in my other vehicle i went with Maxx battery found at walmart. I believe it was 3 year free replacement 5 year pro rated warranty. I think thats the best deal in batteries

 

Knew it was matter of time so I got rid of lead acid all together and use a capacitor and small liFePo4 combo. Should last longer than the truck.

 

Just replaced a battery in a 2019 OR fleet vehicle with under 9k on it.

 

That’s some Back To the Future stuff.
If you don’t mind, what’s the cost on the set up, and where did you buy it from?

 

Please tell me that is not a bungie cord holding your battery there?

 

Bungee holding the cap. Battery held by gravity!

 

1. yes it is.
2. I'm still working on packaging it better. Thinking about putting the small batt back in those useless bed cubbies or behind back seats.
3. It only weighs 16lbs. Its not going to fly out in a wreck. It doesnt matter if it falls over. There Is no liquid. Only issue is it shorting against something during a wreck. And the only issue there is fires from lead acid. This will not burn when shorted. I plan on putting original hold down back eventually. Still testing things.

 

My 2014 Taco died at 26 months. My wife’s 2017 Honda battery died at 22. My 2017 Taco is on borrowed time. The desert heat smokes them so it’s a matter of time. Need it to die before end of Feb.

 

I got 12 years out of the factory battery in my M Roadster. The replacement Interstate lasted a year and a half and the warranty replacement of that one lasted a year. Never again. I just buy Durlast Platinum (AGM) now. They seem to hold up very well over time.