Replacing a car battery is not quite the same as the old days!

Hello
Replacing a car battery is not quite the same as the old days!
In our case our 2013 Toyota Venza would not start on the prior very cold days we just had!
In the old days we just went to Sears and got a good 5 year DiHard auto battery.
So first we did the research.
Since the newer vehicles have plenty of electronics and more electrical with computers and electrical brakes the new batteries made for them are called AGM = Absorbent Glass Matt which is better than the sloshing led acid batteries.
So many battery manufacturers have an AGM battery we still had to call a few stores check prices and if they have one for our Venza in this case.
We found that Advance Auto parts now sells DiHard and their platinum AGM version is one of the best for the money. Also our local outlet has one in stock for $204.95 plus the $22.95 core charge.
So we zipped out the old battery which was a 3 year triple A battery dated 11/2018. I guess it really at the end of it’s 3 year life.
The store man said from his experience the AGM is better and can last up to 5 years. If so then paying another $100 for a 5 year battery may not be worth it?
We also got the install packet with the protector spray, cleaner spray, felt anti corrosion rings and hand wipes for cleanup for $12.99. Prior to doing this I picked up a very convenient 10 MM ratchet at Tractor Supply for only $10.99 to make the job that much easier!
Well once we figured out how to pull out the plastic anchors that hold the plastic shroud over the front battery hold down clamp the rest was a piece of cake.
The old familiar hold down nut and post was quite rusty so the drill driver and wire wheel cleaned that up quick!
Then after removing the 10 MM hold down nut and just loosening the nut under the plastic shroud we could swing the bracket away, ratchet loose the battery terminals and zip out the battery and clean the plastic battery pan with paper towel and some 409 spray cleaner.
Just reversing the steps, adding the new corrosion rings and bing the new battery was in. Then we had to set the car clock back up and all the radio station buttons! I miss those old mechanical buttons you just pull out and push in to set! They do not screw up when you change batteries!
In summary the new battery has 710 cold cranking amps and the old battery had only 650 cold cranking amps.
Is this a good battery for the money? What kind of battery do you have or like?
Pic 1-2 old AAA battery only 650 cold cranking amps
Pic 3 - cleaner spray, protector spray, wire cleaner.
Pic 4-5 New Advance Auto parts DiHard with 710 cold cranking amps
Pic 6 - 10 MM battery ratchet
Pic 7 - battery wrench
Pic 8 - Auto battery cleaning kit

 

Don,

always enjoy your stories; similar situation recently happened to my daughter while I was in hospital. She texted me I called advanced auto parts


. Paid for battery they installed it for free

 

IMHO you can’t really get a decent battery now days …….just like so many other things

 

Sounds like a good battery to me. Not that I’m any sort of battery expert. In our area interstate is the most popular brand. I’ve heard a few complaints about NAPA brand batteries don’t know who they are made by.

 

Wait until you change the battery on a BMW. Do all that then find out you need to program (register) it to the car.
So there could be 2 batteries and another computer between the them.

 

I buy stuff from Advance, Autozone, NAPA and O'Rielly but I like Advance the most and just bought a new battery a few months ago from Advance as well.

 

There are two big manufacturers or car batteries in the US. They make all the available brands. That being said I have no idea if there are manufacturing differences in the brands that translate to quality. I have bought several everstart batteries and get about 7 years out of them.

 

Great to see you back posting
I wonder how much it will be in a hybrid or electric car???

if other didn’t know battery prices have increased a lot

 

I just changed the battery out of my '01 Silverado that I put in in 2014. It was an AC Delco and I replaced it with the same for $198 CDN. Old style lead acid, 800 cca.

 

There's some really pita vehicles to change the battery on. Many are still pretty easy to work on. Battery prices have gone up, that's for sure.

 

I just put 400$ worth of batteries in my 01 diesel 2 months ago to plow. And 2 more in the 07 last year. It's a pain, but they're no good without them...
You gotta pay to play

 

3 years sounds about right for a battery, unless you enjoy living on the edge and would rather be changing it when it's 5 below outside and you're late for work I get about the same shelf life whether I'm buying from Napa, Walmart, or Advance. I prefer to buy from Napa, but in the end it comes down to convenience.

 

When I was plowing commercially, 2 seasons was the max on battery life. Weather I spent top dollar for the Optima,so low balled aka Walmart. I can change out 4 batteries in my trucks in the amount of time it takes to change one in my Escape. Pull wipers, pull shroud , pull overflow tank then the 8MM hold down clamps(2) and the 8MM cable clamps, put it all back together and spend another 45Minutes at minimum trying to re-time the wipers. What a PIA.

 

My wife had a Chevy Cobalt. Took me the lonegst time to figure out the stupid battery was in the trunk under the carpet.

 

I have one for a beater/work car.. I actually needed a jump the other day and the guy didn't know what to say when I told him to pull up t0 the trunk, the battery is in there..

*and yes I need a new battery in it but I'm hoping to milk it through this winter(see how well that's worked..) I hate putting money into a commuter vehicle..

 

Can confirm on the escape. A friend has one (2013l about the same age as yours by the sound of it and it's a pita to even check the battery out.

 

mine is a 2016

 

It really only takes a few minutes to take the cowl off. If you think the battery sucks try removing the engine! Or one of the lights in the front bumper.

 

Better yet the timing belt and starter! Or anything on those hateful vehicles!!!

 

The 6f transmission is a real hoot as well and it’s not an if but when.