On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:23:25 -0800, " Frank"
<noreplay@nothome.net> wrote:

>2004 TL Battery Replaced"Russell Lombardo" <rll_mac@cox.net> wrote in
>message news:C3B7D31A.1111%rll_mac@cox.net...
>I have a 2004 TL with less than 30,000 miles and already had to replace the
>battery.
>
>Have others had similar experiences? It seems to me, Acura/Honda chose an
>inexpensive Delco battery to save money, just like the terrible Bridgestone
>OEM tires.
>
> - Russ
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Just saw your post. I've own various cars over a period of about 40 years,
>and the only premature battery failures were on my two Acuras that were
>purchased new. I'm in the Bay Area so that isn't much difference from San
>Diego relative to climate conditions. Each car is driven about 10,000 miles
>per year. On other new cars, my OEM batteries lasted 5 or more years but on
>the Acuras, it only lasted about 2 to 3 years. Last year I'd purchased a new
>Honda but don't expect the battery to last much longer than 2 years
>either -we'll see. I have a 2000 Camry purchased new and its on the original
>battery.
>
>If my Acuras were not driven for more than a couple of weeks, those cars
>sometimes won't start - batteries too small or there is a design problem in
>the electrical system. I always have a 12V charger ready in my garage. On
>the other hand, I could leave my other cars a couple of weeks or more and it
>would start right away.
>
>Strangely, the replacement batteries purchased at Costco for the Acuras only
>lasted around two years as well so I suspect either the battery was designed
>to Honda's poor specifications or something not right with Honda's charging
>system. Costco batteries, however, for other cars lasted 7 years or more. I
>had one of the OEM batteries replaced at the Acura dealership under warranty
>but they still charged me $50 after its prorated. I had a Costco battery
>for the Acura replaced at Costco under warranty without costing me a dime -
>I think it had a full refund police within two years and prorated
>afterwards.
>
>The oldest Acura I have is 1998 with this battery issue and seems like Honda
>haven't fixed the batter/charging problem. I always leave a jumper cable in
>the trunk.
>

I'm not sure this problem is as wide spread as you think. There are
Acura owners changing out the battery after only a couple of years but
they aren't the only ones doing having premature failures.

My 2005 TL is using the original battery.

In 2005 I traded in my 2001CL-S for the TL. It had the original
battery at almost five years old.

Last year I sold my 1991 Accord after replacing the battery two times.
The original battery lasted eight years, the replacement (from Sams
Club) lasted seven years, and the second replacement (also from Sams
Club) was about one year old when the new buyer took it.

My luck with Honda/Acura batteries has been quite good. But the Delco
in my 1979 Sunbird didn't make it to two years old.