quote:

Originally posted by Hildur

My BMW still has a factory battery in it from when I bought it 5-6 years ago.

BMW is a bit of an outlier with regard to battery maintenance. For instance, I have a 2011 328 convertible that came with a Varta Group 42 AGM, which is significantly oversized for the car and typical for BMW. They utilize a smart charger ECU optimized specifically for an AGM charge regimen delivering precise voltages at 3 different discharge states. The ECU is programmed with the age and specs of the battery installed, both Amp Hour rating and reserve capacity. Because the entire system is highly engineered, batteries tend to last in BMW's, but the trade off is it makes them expensive to replace as well, usually around $500 at a dealer. A new battery must be registered to the ECU with the new specs, or it will not survive long. I replaced mine this past summer, original to the car after 10.5 years. It was still functioning without issue, but tested at 56% state of health. I installed it myself, a PITA in this specific car, but paid a tech to register it to the car.

^^^ My 2011 bmw 335i's original battery lasted 10 years as well.

Para, back to your situation, and just in case you've not bought your battery yet, for our 2002 Ford Ranger and our 2015 Subaru Outback, we go with the Walmart Everstart battery.

Consumer Reports always rates them highly and they are the cheapest as well. I can pull up your exact battery size if you will share it with me. I've found the ratings can vary dependent upon battery size.

From an overall general perspective here is a screen print:

I just checked the battery terminals. No evidence at all of any corrosion. The terminals are tight and the ground cable is, too. The alternator belt does not seem slack to me.

The battery is an Interstate Megatron II MT-24F, labeled as a 5 year battery. My estimate of when I bought it may be off. You older guys know that the years start rolling by like months. It may very well be that I got my money's worth out of it.

A local dealer wants 140 for the battery with a swap. 209 installed. Puhleeze. 69 bucks to loosen and retighten a couple of terminals.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Para, back to your situation, and just in case you've not bought your battery yet, for our 2002 Ford Ranger and our 2015 Subaru Outback, we go with the Walmart Everstart battery.

Consumer Reports always rates them highly and they are the cheapest as well.

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do.

Here's my battery. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eve...lmentIntent=In-store

No swap at that price and WalMart will take my old battery and recycle it if I bring it in to them after I install the new battery.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I am not nor have I ever been a "car guy". I never saw the point of investing a lot of money in something that will end up being soup cans and lawn furniture in a decade or two.

Much as I loathe Walmart, I’ve never had a problem with their batteries.

I have to purchase a 10mm wrench, though, for the battery terminals. Damn metric stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

A local dealer wants 140 for the battery with a swap.

If it's an OEM battery from the dealership I'd be all over that.

No, it's just a service station which happens to be an Interstate dealer. I won't even bother with the dealership. They're money-grubbing thieves.

You did good. I am not a tight wad but being a engineer, you seem to look at every thing in benefit analysis view point.

I change batteries in the fall when the battery reaches seven years. Then it is used on my lawn tractors for another couple years.

Look on your old battery for the month and year it was made.

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
Look on your old battery for the month and year it was made.

I've looked, but I don't find a code. There is a sticker on top which 0-10, individually, and the 12 months of the year, individually, but neither of these groups is marked in any way.

Walmart will also install the batter for free, or at least, they used to do so. Here are the ratings for your size battery:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
Walmart will also install the batter for free, or at least, they used to do so.

Nah, I'll doot. I don't want to sit around the WalMart service bay, waiting for them to get to it.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Here's my battery. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Eve...lmentIntent=In-store

No swap at that price and WalMart will take my old battery and recycle it if I bring it in to them after I install the new battery.

Yep, I've gone with the Wal-Mart Everstart Maxx for my last several battery purchases.

I've always just brought the tools that I needed, and changed the battery in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Only takes a few minutes with some simple handle tools.

Park near the automotive entrance. Buy the new battery, and carry it out. Remove the old battery. Install the new one. Carry the old one inside to turn it in and collect the deposit money. Drive home.

As best I can tell, there is no deposit/core/exchange, nothin'. It's 98.76 plus tax and that's it.

Must be a state-by-state thing.

You dont have to buy the 10mm wrench as they will loan it too you from just inside the bay. They keep a 10mm hanging there just for this. Also, use a cart so you dont get stuck carrying the batteries. I had 2 of the Everstarts back to back and they failed just under the 2 year warranty so Walmart tested them, both dead. They do honor the warranty but, hang on to your dated receipt and, the purchase gets recorded in their system. Maybe some have good luck with the Everstarts but I see them as cheap replacements. If your Toyo is a 6 cylinder, I feel you should have purchased the Truestart. Any how, good luck with your new battery.

One other helpful tip.
Before you venture out to replace the battery, pop open the hood and gently rinse off the battery with a your garden hose or even a gallon jug of water.
Residue of battery acid may not be visible but can damage the paint, your hands and clothes.
Do the same to the new battery before installing.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I have to purchase a 10mm wrench, though, for the battery terminals. Damn metric stuff.

I'm not the "car guy" I was in my youth, but there's no way I could get by with what little wrenching I do do without nearly everything I have in SAE duplicated in EMS (Eurotrash Measurement System)

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
Look on your old battery for the month and year it was made.

I've looked, but I don't find a code. There is a sticker on top which 0-10, individually, and the 12 months of the year, individually, but neither of these groups is marked in any way.

There’s a code on the end of the battery that’s melted into the case. That’s the manufacturing date. It’s comprised of letters and numbers.

I do some driving for various dealers. All of my cohorts and myself carry a 10mm wrench as that is the standard for license plate bolts. Hang onto it, might come in handy the next time you change plates.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I have to purchase a 10mm wrench, though, for the battery terminals. Damn metric stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
I do some driving for various dealers. All of my cohorts and myself carry a 10mm wrench as that is the standard for license plate bolts. Hang onto it, might come in handy the next time you change plates.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I have to purchase a 10mm wrench, though, for the battery terminals. Damn metric stuff.

Isn’t it a 3/8”? I mean at 10mm will work.