OEM Battery - Replace or Recharge?

The OEM battery on my 2020 4Runner has a resting charge of 12v and 13v when running. I’m going on a big trip at the end of the month. The battery is 4.5 yrs old. How would I know if it just needs recharging or should be replaced? I’ve read the OEM batteries are really good and have really good lifespans so I’d like to keep it if possible. But I’ll be traveling on some remote roads solo and also don’t want to get stranded.

 

My experience: https://www.4runners.com/threads/battery-drain-problems.35113/

Batteries sometimes fail suddenly without a lot of warning, so I'd probably replace it.

 

My 2019 4Runner battery is showing no signs of replacement. But I have a Amazon jumper starter pack if it ever fails. I have drained new 4Runner battery while playing / installing light bars. So you never know when you will need a jumper pack regardless the age / condition of the battery.

I have also checked the battery water level on my stock batteries and have added distilled water as needed / To the max mark on the battery casing.

 

Thanks for the input. I’m leaning towards replacing it for peace of mind. Hopefully there’ll be some good sales this 4th holiday.

 

2020 has a smart alternator so it's expected to see running voltages between 12.7 and 14.4 volts based on system demand and RPM. Most will settle closer to 12v (edit: as was said below, ~12.6v is optimal but 12.2-12.4v isn't abnormal with older batteries and is fine as long as they pass a load test) resting after a period. The OEM batteries go for longer than any car battery has any business living so if your water level is good then maybe have a shop do a proper load test with one of the cart testers, not the handheld ones. That will give the best picture of health, but you can (and should) carry a jumper like a noco as backup if you're worried.

 

Please consider jumper start packing regardless having a new battery or now. It's cheap insurance. As said above I have drained a new battery just by running some lights.

Here's a high rated one yet not too expensive-
https://amzn.to/3xvvLLn

As for the 12v battery per "Project Farm" testing the cheap Walmart Everstart Maxx battery perform very well over some famous brand batteries. It also seems to have pretty high CCA power.

 

Thanks. I’ll have a shop do a proper load test before buying new. I’m just going off my VeePeak OBD scan tool / OBD Fusion app.

 

Thanks, I’ll add that Noco starter to my checklist.

 

I replace my battery if it's 5 years old even if it's holding charge and shows no sign of aging. But if I am going to make a long trip and I know the battery is close to 5 years old, I replace it. Batteries have a tendency of dying on you at the worst time possible .
I also always carry a jumper in the car like gooloo gt4000.

 

Huge caveat on that video, a handheld tester cannot generate a proper load to test a battery and his methods are less than scientific. Nearly the entire market is manufactured by Johnson Controls or East Penn with EnerSys (Optima, Northstar, Odyssey) making a much smaller chunk of the consumer market - mostly AGM. You really aren't getting that much a difference and are basically paying for warranty. You'll get a much wider variance due to conditions the battery experiences than you will source.

The factory Panasonic is a freak because it's a Japanese battery. You can't get anything like it in the US unless someone has an importer.

 

I usually send it until I have a slow crank/it goes kaput in winter - and by then I have no qualms carrying around a jump pack - but the Car Care Nut says just every 5 years.

I'm planning to do that (if they last that long where I am) after my factory battery goes.

 

The factory Panasonic definitely is the bomb though, my 2013 lasted 9 years in the heat of AL and NC.

 

REPLACE IT. I replace mine every 4 years weather they need it or not. CHEAP INSURANCE. I consider it preventive maintenance.

 

Think life of battery is affected by garage kept? Brutal summers or cold winters both affect the battery.

Seems like if avoiding some of these being garage kept would help.

 

12V resting is very bad. Probably 12.8V is full resting charge. If your daily commute is short then it may just need a proper charge, otherwise it is shot.

 

+1. Resting charge full should be right around 12.6. 12.0is close to empty if there is no load on it.

 

I'm full-on in the replace camp. I never mess around with should I / shouldn't I with batteries or brakes. For the amount of $$ we are talking about here, it is very cheap insurance and the jumper pack is a great idea also.

 

My '98 battery lasted for somewhere around 12 years (including 12 Canadian winters, without a block heater) and I only replaced it after slow starting when the headlights had been left on for an hour.

There is nothing you can buy in N. America which is as good at the original Panasonic battery. Replacing it would be a mistake (unless testing shows it's actually getting weak).

But I also carry a jump pack. Not for my '19 4Runner, but for others (I boosted a fishing boat last week).

Mike

 

I'd replace the battery first & let them check your charging system while they're at it. Then buy one of the Noco's. They're more useful around the house than you'd think.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=jump+starter&crid=CHYM1L7SKKVE&sprefix=jump+starter%2Caps%2C119&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

Proper load test (cart) at the dealer is $130. New Odyssey Performance 24F at 20% Off Napa Auto 4th of July sale is $307 out the door. Was hoping to keep the OEM but being cautious so I just bought the Odyssey.

 

^Nice upgrade. The Odyssey being AGM is fully sealed, so acid can't spill out on steep inclines.

 

Here in hot SW Florida the heat just kills batteries so I date mine with a paint pen and replace every 3 years.
Cheap insurance for peace of mind .

 

OP, make sure to read up on proper voltage to charge your AGM Odyssey. You will need a voltage booster thing to tell the alternator to boost by about 0.5 V. Otherwise the AGM will slowly die.

 

This is new to me. Can you pls. point me to the literature? I was under the impression it’s just a simple battery swap. I even discussed fitment w/ an Odyssey rep. and he made no mention of this.

 

AGM batteries require a slightly higher voltage to charge than is produced by the 4R's alternator. A voltage booster puts the alternator output in the proper range.

(That's a slight oversimplification, but close enough to explain the need)

 

I get it now. After watching videos on how folks have hacked getting the AGM the extra voltage to keep it charged I’m rethinking getting one. Sounds like more work.

Do wish the OEM Panasonic was available to buy. Anyone have recommendations on the next best conventional battery?

 

Yeah, I wish we could get the Panasonic, too. I wouldn't rule out going to AGM, despite the complication and extra initial investment. I may do that when the time comes.

 

It is very simple. Go to HKB Electronics. Plug n Play for a fuse under the hood. If you have a means to view battery voltage while driving around it is nice to see it before and after so you can get the warm fuzzy all is good for the AGM.

 

12 volts resting is on the cliff of death.
Replace it with a new one.
There's ony 2 or 3 battery makers in the USA. (All other name brands are relabels.) East Penn (Deka) is the best one.

 

It doesn't hurt the battery. The alternator just won't be charging the AGM battery to 100% capacity. You aren't likely to notice it in normal use.

A plug & play voltage booster module that fits in the fusebox is an easy solution, though it's an additional expense: https://voltageboosterpro.com/product/og/
(HKB is cheaper and more elegant but doesn't offer one for 2020+ 4Runners)