Battery

[gvk]

I own a 2019 lexus es 350. At last servicing battery passed the test. Is it better to change battery at the dealership. I have read here that lot of owners had headaches after changing battery themselves. Mine is at 4.5 year mark. Is it better to change it now. I don't drive much these days. However, I am not having any problems that are battery related. Would like opinion of other es 350 owners.

[Dean2]

If you don't drive the car for long periods put a battery tender on it. The battery will last many more years. What kills batteries fast is high heat like Texas and Arizona. Here in Alberta i have had betteries last ten years. Costco up here warranties batteries for 100 months. When I change batteries I always use Costco. Never had any issues using their batteries in any vehicle including my various Lexus and Toyotas. The +400 bucks the dealer wants for a battery, plus install, doesn’t make sense to me when I can buy the same thing for 150 bucks.

[JMSC]

Good advice from Dean.  I have a battery tender on my rider lawnmower and the battery is going on 5 years old!

[RX400h]

Some newer vehicles need to be "reset" after a new battery is installed. My Supra falls into this category. Our Lexus battery in Southern California lasts about 5 years. At some point, we see an illuminated warning on the dash. This warning tells us to place the shifter in Park before turning off the engine. That tells me that the battery is getting weak and needs to be replaced.

When I had a 2014 Mazda 3 with tech package, the warning included mention of the iEloop system. That was also a sign that the battery needed to be replaced - a dealership job, as the battery needed to be reset.

So when the time does come to replace or have replaced your battery (hopefully after a warning is displayed), check to see if others have done it themselves. You may be able to skip the dealership and save money.