Is an optima low maintenance high performance agm battery good for a toyota prius or should i switch for a different one
Optima batteries are overpriced, but AGM batteries are the best and longest lasting you can buy. My original battery lasted for 10 years and I replaced it with one from Advance Auto. Believe I got it for under 200 bucks with a 20% coupon on pickup.
NAPA is running a 20% off discount + a $20 MIR on batteries. You can get a NAPA Legend battery (I believe they are made by DAKA in the USA) for around 150 to 155 bucks OTD after MIR and your return the core.
You may also want to check with your Toyota dealers. I was there this morning (got a new radiator cap for my daughters Sienna) and I asked them if they have any, now. (They've been on back order for months) She said they do have limited quantities and can see if one fits with a VIN number. My dealer has them for around $190, a great price, IMHO.
Some of the Optimas (my yellow top for example) have higher Cold Cranking Amps but lower amp hours, compared to the OEM battery. Not sure of the ramifications; suspect there are some though. I’m able now to source the OEM Yuasa battery for $220 CDN through Saskbattery up here. It’s NOT showing on their website, but another Priuschatter said it was doable, and I confirmed with them by email. they DO show Optima Yellow Top (for ridiculously high price) but told me they actually don’t have them.
I think the OEM battery has a cold-cranking-amps rating (just because a car battery's gotta have one) around 330 amps or so, and yes, some replacements will exceed that rating. In a car where the positive battery clamp has a 140 amp fuse built into it, none of that on-paper rating is ever going to serve any purpose. Typically, though, batteries are given higher CCA ratings by making their plates thinner, and that means the occasional (intentional or unintentional) deep discharge will hit them harder.
The original Yuasa battery is always the best and last the longest even it has lower capacity or CCA than aftermarket. It is just well made
I just bought Toyota TrueStart S46B24R (2008 Prius) 12V battery online at Toyota. $193.31 ($171.99 + $10.32 tax + core charge $11). To pick up at Fox Toyota, Rochester Hills, MI (Toyota won't deliver). I thought of Optima 8171-767 DS46B24R Yellow Top, but it's $290 (Amazon). My current battery is 12.43V, (rated 325CCA) 288CCA,10.55mOhm, SOH 75.7%, SoC 79%, Great (according to Motopower battery tester); that's after I fully charged (after dead battery). I will replace it myself when I get. Battery went dead more than a few times (humid, cold, etc.) recent years. It was my second Toyota battery since 2008 (lasted 12 or 15 years, can't remember; original didn't last, replaced for $300 at dealer in Toronto ~2010?).
My Toyota True start lasted some 90 months of the 84 month warranty. I now have some kind of Autozone AGM. I think it's about 5 years old and is probably going to fail soon. Think it only had a 1 year warranty.
I observed original prius battery last 9y in hot FL and 12y in mild weather in UK if driven regularly. 1x depleted 12V battery that needs jump start easily cut the capacity 40% or more from the original capacity. Just don't ever get it too depleted, the sulphation is non reversible process.
