2004 TL Battery Replaced"Russell Lombardo" wrote in message news:C3B7D31A.1111%rll snipped-for-privacy@cox.net... I have a 2004 TL with less than 30,000 miles and already had to replace the battery.
Have others had similar experiences? It seems to me, Acura/Honda chose an inexpensive Delco battery to save money, just like the terrible Bridgestone OEM tires.
- Russ
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Just saw your post. I've own various cars over a period of about 40 years, and the only premature battery failures were on my two Acuras that were purchased new. I'm in the Bay Area so that isn't much difference from San Diego relative to climate conditions. Each car is driven about 10,000 miles per year. On other new cars, my OEM batteries lasted 5 or more years but on the Acuras, it only lasted about 2 to 3 years. Last year I'd purchased a new Honda but don't expect the battery to last much longer than 2 years either -we'll see. I have a 2000 Camry purchased new and its on the original battery.
If my Acuras were not driven for more than a couple of weeks, those cars sometimes won't start - batteries too small or there is a design problem in the electrical system. I always have a 12V charger ready in my garage. On the other hand, I could leave my other cars a couple of weeks or more and it would start right away.
Strangely, the replacement batteries purchased at Costco for the Acuras only lasted around two years as well so I suspect either the battery was designed to Honda's poor specifications or something not right with Honda's charging system. Costco batteries, however, for other cars lasted 7 years or more. I had one of the OEM batteries replaced at the Acura dealership under warranty but they still charged me $50 after its prorated. I had a Costco battery for the Acura replaced at Costco under warranty without costing me a dime - I think it had a full refund police within two years and prorated afterwards.
The oldest Acura I have is 1998 with this battery issue and seems like Honda haven't fixed the batter/charging problem. I always leave a jumper cable in the trunk.