| saz25 |
Hi,
I have a 2002 MDX with 107,000 miles. I live in NH. What battery do you all recommend? Should I consider the Acura battery or another brand such as Optima, Interstate, Diehard, etc?
I'd like to keep the car for another 2-3 years, maybe more. Its been great so far 6 years.
Thanks in advance,
Steve |
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| EXCALIBUR |
saz25,
My OEM battery finally gave out at 5 years and 28,370 miles of dependable service. I replaced it with the Costco Kirkland battery @ $44.99. The #3 is the correct application for the MDX. Made by Johnson Controls, it has 700 CA, 550 CCA, and a 100 month limited warranty. Consumer tip: Take your Costco Kirkland battery back to the store before the first 36 months, and you can get a brand-new replacement for FREE.:4: |
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| highcountrymdx |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
saz25,
Consumer tip: Take your Costco Kirkland battery back to the store before the first 36 months, and you can get a brand-new replacement for FREE.:4:
It's one thing if the battery gives out in the first 36 months, but returning a good battery after three years just for a new battery.....?
Isn't that simply the same as lying and cheating? |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
It's one thing if the battery gives out in the first 36 months, but returning a good battery after three years just for a new battery.....?
Isn't that simply the same as lying and cheating?
Costco has a very liberal returns policy. If the battery should fail in the first 36 months, the warranty is 100%. After that it is pro-rated. I would never honestly encourage lying and cheating. |
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| Squishy |
I second the Johnson Controls recommendation. That means Optima, DieHard, Kirkland Signature, EverStart, Motorcraft, Duralast, Mazda, Honda, Eveready, Energizer, and a lot of others that I don't remember. I've heard that the new top-of-the-line DieHard battery uses Optima AGM technology in a non-spiral format for better capacity in the same group size. No articles or anything to support that; just spreading a rumour ;)
I've heard very bad things about Exide batteries, but I run an Exide AGM standard duty battery in my Escape and the only problem I had was one dying after being completely discharged. I can't really blame Exide because my car at the time was drawing 0.250 amps instead of the standard 0.02 amps after shutdown. No idea what other private label batteries are made by Exide as I never really looked into that. |
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| saz25 |
Hi,
Does the 2002 MDX take a size 24 or 34 battery? What is the recommended size?
Thanks in advance.
Steve |
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| highcountrymdx |
Battery Group 24F is the standard factory sizing. It will also take a 34R in the Optima (requires the plastic bottom adapter).
If you want the current king of the hill, take a look at Sear's DieHard Platinum Automotive Battery. Sizing is P-1 (Battery Group 34). Also requires the bottom adapter. EnerSys is the manufacturer. They also market the same battery through its Odyssey Line.
The Platinum/Odyssey battery has AGM construction, but instead of spiral winding, like the Optima, is has a densely packed lead grid. Like the Optima, it is constructed with sandwiched high purity acid mats, so it's non spillable. Because of the highly packed lead grid construction, it has incredible energy density of 880 CCA, and a huge 135 minutes of reserve capacity (compared to 800 CCA and 100 minutes reserve capacity in the Optima Red, and 750 CCA and 120 minutes reserve capacity in the Yellow). All of this in the smaller battery group 34 size.
One can only wonder what the specs would be if they produced a DieHard Platinum/Odyssey in the larger factory 24F size. |
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| jhue |
quote:
Originally posted by highcountrymdx
If you want the current king of the hill, take a look at Sear's DieHard Platinum Automotive Battery. Sizing is P-1 (Battery Group 34). Also requires the bottom adapter. EnerSys is the manufacturer. They also market the same battery through its Odyssey Line.
Consumer Reports agrees with you.
Top three tested batteries in 34 size (score in parentheses):
1) Diehard Platinum (91) - only battery to score Excellent in life, reserve capacity and CCA
2) Optima Red Top (76)
3) Deka Intimidator (75)
...
9) Interstate Mega-tron Plus (63)
10) Duralast Gold (63)
Their quick-picks were the 4-6 rated batteries, which were all in the $80-100 range, much cheaper than the top 3. |
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| Squishy |
| Okay, I guess DieHard isn't exclusively Johnson Controls? The rest of the info matches what I read about the premium DieHard line being a bigger, badder Optima. |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
saz25,
My OEM battery finally gave out at 5 years and 28,370 miles of dependable service. I replaced it with the Costco Kirkland battery @ $44.99. The #3 is the correct application for the MDX. Made by Johnson Controls, it has 700 CA, 550 CCA, and a 100 month limited warranty. Consumer tip: Take your Costco Kirkland battery back to the store before the first 36 months, and you can get a brand-new replacement for FREE.:4:
Hey GMTA I got the same one!! |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
Hey GMTA I got the same one!!
Roger that, and we've both got 2002 MDX's still running strong. I remember you giving me tips and advice way back when I was a newbie on this forum.:7: |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
Roger that, and we've both got 2002 MDX's still running strong. I remember you giving me tips and advice way back when I was a newbie on this forum.:7:
I'm still wanting to add a exhaust similar to yours, unfortunately or fortunately new Michelins won out. Thank goodness I did so far in Chicago we had 45 inches total this winter. Another storm coming Friday morn. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by Warzau
I'm still wanting to add a exhaust similar to yours, unfortunately or fortunately new Michelins won out. Thank goodness I did so far in Chicago we had 45 inches total this winter. Another storm coming Friday morn.
Roger that also. My stainless steel Hayame EXT was well worth the price of admission. It shows no signs of rust like the Dynomax and Flowmaster mufflers I used to run on my previous ride. I'm waiting for Costco to run another $60 off four Michelin Cross Terrains coupon again. I'm also due for some new rubber soon.:roadtrip: |
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| BaldEagle |
quote:
Originally posted by EXCALIBUR
saz25,
My OEM battery finally gave out at 5 years and 28,370 miles of dependable service. I replaced it with the Costco Kirkland battery @ $44.99. The #3 is the correct application for the MDX. Made by Johnson Controls, it has 700 CA, 550 CCA, and a 100 month limited warranty. Consumer tip: Take your Costco Kirkland battery back to the store before the first 36 months, and you can get a brand-new replacement for FREE.:4:
I got the same battery from Costco. Johnson controls also makes the DieHard for Sears, basically the same battery selling for $79.99.
This battery is much better than the OEM. Until I got the Kirkland I had to unplug a fuse when towing or the battery would be unable to start the X. With the new one I can tow for 6 or 7 hours without pulling the fuse and it starts right up. |
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