OE 12V or Optima yellow top?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SB6, May 23, 2020.

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  1. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Need to replace my 12V. I'm seeing a lot of hype for the optima yellow top, but I'm also seeing a few recent posts about it being... overhyped?

    I'm trying to decide what to get for the replacement. I'm seeing the Optima yellow top for around $220 at AutoZone, and the 12V around the same price at the dealership.

    What do you guys think?
     
    #1 SB6, May 23, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they are both good batteries. i'd go with convenience, fresh date code, fully charged service capability.
     
    #2 bisco, May 23, 2020
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Toyota's battery wins by a landslide!!

    I've read lots of complaints about the Optima and a few praises. I've read absolutely no complaints about the Toyota battery and last time I checked, it comes with an 84 month warranty. That's seven years!!!!! I've replaced two Prius 12V batteries. Both were over 10 years old.
     
    #3 jerrymildred, May 23, 2020
  4. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Hmm is it actually 84 months on the Toyota battery? I read that its a few years, then the rest is some kind of pro-rated deal. Interestingly though, my dealership's website only says 1 year... I'm hoping its actually more and they just didn't bother putting the correct number on the website. I'll need to call them and see I guess
     
    #4 SB6, May 23, 2020
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct. 2 full years, then pro rated.
     
    #5 bisco, May 23, 2020
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    What I found is two years free replacement. Then five years prorated. https://www.toyota.com/toyota-owners-theme/pdf/03_Batteries2015_final[1].pdf They could have changed it since this publication, but it only takes a phone call to find out.

    I'll let you figure out what Optima's warranty is. :) I don't think I have enough facts to decipher it.
    OPTIMA® Battery Warranty Information | Support | OPTIMA® Batteries
     
    #6 jerrymildred, May 23, 2020
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that being said, i installed another oem after 7 years, out of pure convenience. couldn't find anything else locally, and i'm lazy
     
    #7 bisco, May 23, 2020
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  8. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Optima's looks like 3 years, no? Although, I've read that they make you ship it to them if you want to make a warranty claim. Do you still have to do that if you buy it from a shop like AutoZone?
     
    #8 SB6, May 23, 2020
  9. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    150 at advance auto with coupon
     
    #9 tankyuong, May 23, 2020
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I haven't a clue about warranty service. But I don't see any prorated warranty on the Optima after the three years. If so, for the 1st two years, it's a tie. For the 3rd year, Optima wins. For the next four years, Toyota wins. Seems pretty clear to me.
     
    #10 jerrymildred, May 23, 2020
  11. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I'm only seeing one result (filtered by my car) when I look on advance auto's website. I'm seeing AutoCraft Platinum AGM for $199.99. Would you be able to link the one you're seeing?
     
    #11 SB6, May 23, 2020
    Last edited: May 23, 2020
  12. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Plus 25 percent off coupon for memorial day mem25 code
     
    #12 tankyuong, May 23, 2020
  13. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Sorry mem20 code to get 25 percent off
     
    #13 tankyuong, May 23, 2020
  14. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I just realized, my current battery is the Toyota Truestart with an 84 month warranty. How do I check if it's still under warranty? It came with the car when I bought it used, private sale.

    Dealership wasn't picking up when I called earlier, and they're closed now...
     
    #14 SB6, May 23, 2020
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you have to read the date code off the top. might have to remove some stuff
     
    #15 bisco, May 23, 2020
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  16. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Is it the "180915W" on a white sticker/label at the top?
     
    #16 SB6, May 23, 2020
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yep. not sure if it's 15 or 18, but you're covered to some extent. how long have you had the car? did the former owner install it?
     
    #17 bisco, May 23, 2020
  18. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I've had it for about 2 years now. I didn't install it. I believe the previous owner installed it, not sure when, though I guess that's what the label should tell me
     
    #18 SB6, May 23, 2020
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a dealer can translate the code. i think it's 09/18/15, but i'm not positive. even then, if they deem it under warranty, you will get some discount on a new one.
     
    #19 bisco, May 23, 2020
  20. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Yeah, will have to wait for them to open I guess. In addition to the small white label that says 180915W, there's a round orange sticker that says B16
     
    #20 SB6, May 23, 2020
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