Honda Car Forum

On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:17:30 -0800, Russell Lombardo <rll_mac@cox.net>
wrote:

>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

I live in Wisconsin and years ago was in the gm parts business.

From what I learned watching other batteries fail, I make it a rule to
replace it every 4 years, no matter what.

I don't want to know how well it tests, just put a new one in.

DC

>> 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.

58,000 miles on my 2004 TL...still using the original battery, which never
fails to start the car, even with temps in the single digits.

Waiving the right to remain silent, "Sid Schweiger" <spam@this.cretin> said:

>>> 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.
>
> 58,000 miles on my 2004 TL...still using the original battery, which never
> fails to start the car, even with temps in the single digits.

Happy to hear that. I also have a 2004 TL, but mine has less than 16,000
miles. ;-)

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

"A lack of common sense is now considered a disability,
with all the privileges that this entails."

On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:16:29 GMT, Larry in AZ
<usenet2@DE.LETE.THISljvideo.com> wrote:

>Waiving the right to remain silent, "Sid Schweiger" <spam@this.cretin> said:
>
>>>> 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.
>>
>> 58,000 miles on my 2004 TL...still using the original battery, which never
>> fails to start the car, even with temps in the single digits.
>
>Happy to hear that. I also have a 2004 TL, but mine has less than 16,000
>miles. ;-)

Batteries have two key design criteria that largely determine their
life in normal usage:
1. The initial thickness of the lead plates.
2. The amount of space designed in between the bottom of the case and
the bottom of the plates.

As lead sulfate accumulates over time in the battery, eventually, it
will touch the bottom of one or more set of plates in the cells and
short the cell. It is also possible to have the plates get so thin
they crack from thermal stresses with normal use,.

In any case, you now have a battery with low voltage and low cranking
power. Manufacturers who offer battery warranties have these
parameters adjusted so that a given battery is likely to need
replacing somewhat short of the end of the warranty. Being in
warranty, you go back for the credit (a few bucks at that point) and
get another battery from them.

Some things that can dramatically upset the life expectancy can be
driving up and down, or parking up or down steep hills, all of which
can shift the lead sulfate deposits and short a cell; or very heavy
loads from high heat or very low temps. Improperly set charging
systems can also overheat the battery and damage it. As can low water
levels.

I'm just happy if it holds a charge and voltage to within a few months
of the advertised life.

Paul

What is OEM?..I have a 2003 TL with almost 69,000 with original
battery...When will I know when I need to replace
battery?<DennyCrane@MadCow.net> wrote in message
news:m84ap31vg4fjg3e7hia2k902c1rp1n49qj@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:17:30 -0800, Russell Lombardo <rll_mac@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>>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
>
> I live in Wisconsin and years ago was in the gm parts business.
>
> From what I learned watching other batteries fail, I make it a rule to
> replace it every 4 years, no matter what.
>
> I don't want to know how well it tests, just put a new one in.
>
> DC

"apdicenzo" <apdicenzo@cox.net> wrote in
news:3Jsmj.25462$hO4.19171@newsfe19.lga:

> What is OEM?



"OEM" means from the Acura dealer.

It is not necessary to buy your batteries from the Acura dealer. Your
Owner's Manual gives all the necessary battery specs. All you need to do is
locate an aftermarket battery that meets (or exceeds) those specs and is
the correct size with the terminals the right way around.

I recommend either Interstate or Wal-Mart's Eveready brand.



>..I have a 2003 TL with almost 69,000 with original
> battery...When will I know when I need to replace
> battery?


The most obvious sign will be when the engine doesn't crank over as fast as
you're used to it cranking. It is important to pay attention to your car
each time you start it. This is how you become aware of untoward changes in
behavior, such as slow cranking due to a weakening battery.

Another obvious sign is your headlights noticeably brightening and dimming
when you repeatedly rev the engine and let it settle back down to idle.
Park near a wall or another car so you can see the dimming more readily.

You'll probably see the dimming problem well before you sense any slower
cranking.

Either problem can also be caused by corrosion between the battery cables
and their connections, so you need to make sure all your electrical
connections are good so as to avoid being fooled.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

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.

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.

Waiving the right to remain silent, " Frank"
<noreplay@nothome.net> said:

> 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.

Battery in my 2005 Pilot crapped out two days before the warranty expired at
36 months. Car had been driven only 7,000 miles.

--
Larry J. - Remove spamtrap in ALLCAPS to e-mail

"A lack of common sense is now considered a disability,
with all the privileges that this entails."

On Jan 19, 7:17 pm, Russell Lombardo <rll_...@cox.net> wrote:
> 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

I just replaced a 5.5 year-old Delco battery in one of my cars. It
gave me plenty of warning that it was weakening. I've had other
batteries fail all at once. I can't complain about Delco but I put in
an Interstate battery as replacement.

OEM tires: bad to awful seems to be range for most cars. Replacement
tire costs factor into my car buying decisions.