How Long Should an Original Battery Last?

[JustPassinThru]

The factory battery in my 2009 lasted the entire time I had it. No issues.

This in SPITE of how I accidentally knocked it dead; parking it for a month while I was traveling with another car. Interior light was on the whole time; the battery was completely dead. NO current - even the clock was dead.

Jump-started it; then left it run for ten hours, errands around town and idling in the driveway. But at the end of it, it was charged and held the charge - always started, even in zero-degree temperatures.

[bestyaris]

Toyota (and other makers) oem battery don't last long.

I would say about 3 years (40k miles) depends on usage.

our 2011 Sienna's factory battery been replaced recently at 35K.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bestyaris

Toyota (and other makers) oem battery don't last long.

I would say about 3 years (40k miles) depends on usage.

our 2011 Sienna's factory battery been replaced recently at 35K.

The OEM battery in my '14 doesn't seem as strong as the OEM one was (at this point in life...and much later) in my '07.

[IllusionX]

It all depends where you live. If you are in southern USA, I would say 3-4years on a good battery while you'd get 6-10years in Canada.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

If you are in southern USA, I would say 3-4years on a good battery while you'd get 6-10years in Canada.

Very true but, given how each felt new...with my particular habits, I wonder if the '07 OEM had a longer reserve than the '14 does.

[yaris0985]

205k km / 128k miles
1e battery still good after 6 years

[yaris0985]

205k km / 128k miles
1e battery still good after 6 years

[07liftback]

Yea, you guys should really check on the fluid levels inside your batteries. Just shine a flashlight at the side or right in front of it to see where the water levels are. The OEM battery has a high and low level mark on the battery so you can tell if one cell is getting low on fluid.

If it's getting close to the low level point or has already passed it, just unscrew the cap for that particular cell at the top and pour in some distilled water. Of course, you should be sure that all the dirt around the cap has been wiped off so that you don't contaminate the cell.

Once this is done, leave it on a slow charger over night and the battery should last you another 5 years or more depending on where you live.

I did this with my 07 OEM battery last year and peiodically put it on a slow charger and it cranks really strong. It cranks just as strong as it did when it was new!

[mr_miles]

my 2013's battery is still good, and the 08 that also parks in my driveway still has the factory battery, which is also going strong :D I wish mine would crap out so I can buy a braille, though. lol

[mtshum]

My OEM battery last 9 years and 11 months on my 2005 Echo.

[NYC-SE]

Hi Ruzzino,
Lucca Italy is a beautiful town. I have been there. Going to Italy next month and hopefully will find the time for a trip back to Lucca.

[MadMax]

Well, crap. Sprocket wouldn't start this morning. It turned over and made that dead battery buzzing noise, but no joy on actually starting. My NAPA battery is just about two years old, I need to dig out the receipt and take it back to see what the problem is. I hope to hell it isn't the alternator! It's been rough to start for the past couple of days, but I drove it out into the Texas Hill Country on Friday and it was fine!

Edited to add: I just noticed the Legend batteries are only warrantied for 18 months, so I am out of luck there! :(

Wish me luck!

Cheers! M2

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Well, crap. Sprocket wouldn't start this morning. It turned over and made that dead battery buzzing noise, but no joy on actually starting. My NAPA battery is just about two years old, I need to dig out the receipt and take it back to see what the problem is. I hope to hell it isn't the alternator! It's been rough to start for the past couple of days, but I drove it out into the Texas Hill Country on Friday and it was fine!

Edited to add: I just noticed the Legend batteries are only warrantied for 18 months, so I am out of luck there! :(

Wish me luck!

Cheers! M2

I wonder if the fact that your Yaris doesn't get as much use as it would if you didn't have other vehicles to drive has anything to do with the fate of your NAPA Legend ?

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I wonder if the fact that your Yaris doesn't get as much use as it would if you didn't have other vehicles to drive has anything to do with the fate of your NAPA Legend ?

I think so, combined with our hot weather; but my original battery lasted over five years!

However, my Yaris will will sit for weeks undriven because I travel and own a Jeep, a minivan and my son's got a car as well. I have been in this job for over four years now and the car gets driven a lot less because of it (my 2007 only has 33K mi on it!)

But the good news is despite the 18 month warranty, there is a 75 month replacement credit so I ended up paying less than forty bucks at NAPA for a replacement!

By the way, I did jump start the car and pulled the positive terminal to ensure it wasn't the alternator. The car kept on running which made me happy!

Cheers! M2

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

I think so, combined with our hot weather; but my original battery lasted over five years!

However, my Yaris will will sit for weeks undriven because I travel and own a Jeep, a minivan and my son's got a car as well. I have been in this job for over four years now and the car gets driven a lot less because of it (my 2007 only has 33K mi on it!)

But the good news is despite the 18 month warranty, there is a 75 month replacement credit so I ended up paying less than forty bucks at NAPA for a replacement!

By the way, I did jump start the car and pulled the positive terminal to ensure it wasn't the alternator. The car kept on running which made me happy!

Cheers! M2

I disconnected the battery on my blue Yaris before leaving for California. It will be interesting to see if it starts right away after reconnecting it when I get back (that battery is a NAPA Legend purchased, IIRC, in February of 2014).

[bronsin]

Good luck and Im thinking living in TX where its hot is going to rob you of a lot of battery life...

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Good luck and Im thinking living in TX where its hot is going to rob you of a lot of battery life...

Yep. I wondered aloud about that on a thread a few years ago and CTScott responded on that the thread with the technical details as to why. Goes for cold temperature extremes as well.

[Netcom]

I have a 2006 and I have the original battery with a car near 288,000kms. But as it gets colder out here in Canada, it is taking longer and longer to start. Time for a new battery.