Which Battery?

[shazzy81]

Hi

I have a 2004 xt3 3dr rav4 and im looking for a new Battery after car being off the road for 3 months due to broken ankle. Had trouble before with it keep going flat so thought now was a good time to have a new one with baby on the way!!

Can someone recommend a decent Battery and where you had it from please.

Thanks

[MarsKy]

Hi

I have a 2004 xt3 3dr rav4 and im looking for a new battery after car being off the road for 3 months due to broken ankle. Had trouble before with it keep going flat so thought now was a good time to have a new one with baby on the way!!

Can someone recommend a decent battery and where you had it from please.

Thanks

Last time I bought a Battery was 2 years ago. Halfords offered the best deal. They also put a sticker on the side of the Battery with date of manufacture, so you can see how long the stock has been lying for. And there are wee red/ green indicators on top to show the relative charge of the Battery. I'm sure it also came with a 5 year guarantee.

[Jamesbelfast]

All batteries have a date of manufacture information so good old Halfrauds ain't the only company to supply such information. If the Battery wasn't date stamped how could they work out its warranty period.

I suggest you try good old Mr T for a quote on many occasions I have found their prices equitable if not better and you'll be more likely to get the correct type. I have had personal experience of some so-called Battery suppliers and yes they were able to supply a cheaper Battery but when I questioned the amp/hours (output) it was miles away from what was appropriate. When I questioned this aspect the answer I got was - "sure its 12 volt" At this point I was expecting him to ask if I wanted french fries to go with it.:)

After I picked myself up of the floor laughing I went to explain that if I connected 8 "AA" batteries together I could get an voltage output of 12 volts but it sure wouldn't start a car. After watching the blank stare from the "numpty" asistant I poltiely bade him good-day. To ensure good winter starting and long life from a battery its best to ensure your replacement battery is what is specified by the manufacturer or better if possible. Also remember there is nothing like a poor battery to shorten the life of your starter motor.:)

Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware.

[Hoovie]

I got a new Battery last week and ended up just getting one from the local Mr T - around £35 fitted which is a good price I think.

went into local motor factors today and while there asked them how much their batteries are - they wanted £60+ for a 45AH Battery!

[MarsKy]

All batteries have a date of manufacture information so good old Halfrauds ain't the only company to supply such information. If the battery wasn't date stamped how could they work out its warranty period.

Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware.

Warranty is usually date of purchase/ registration, not necessarily date of manufacture.

The point being once you have found the spec for your Battery, check the date on the stock when you go to buy it.

[IanXT4]

£35 fitted is an unbelievable deal, I am sure that my local T dealer would not fit it for that !!!

[MarsKy]

£35 fitted is an unbelievable deal, I am sure that my local T dealer would not fit it for that !!!

Toyota publish their "Toyota Fixed-Price Promise" pamphlet - RAV4 Battery is £70 for petrol and £90 for diesel RAVs.

But there are batteries and batteries.

Check: voltage, ampere-hours (heavy duty might be better), date of manufacture, length of warranty, length x breadth x height of Battery (might not fit).

[shazzy81]

Thank you all for the replies. I rang local toyota today and they wanted £45 unfitted with 3 years warranty. Fitting of the Battery was about £30-£35 on top of the Battery price so i will do it myself!!

[anchorman]

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...c=67760&hl=

[Hoovie]

£35 fitted is an unbelievable deal, I am sure that my local T dealer would not fit it for that !!!

Just checked the invoice - was in fact £36.21 + VAT so £41.64 inc the VAT , but although the Invoice lists "FIT NEW BATTERY", there is no charge against that :) .

Battery is a "T28800-YZZJT" and just a 45A Battery (thought they were 55A as standard :o )

[rambler]

hi all

i had fitted a 'banner starting bull' a couple of weeks after buying my rav...only had one no starter,when it was sitting on drive whilst on holiday away for a week....called r.a.c out,no worries

apart from that ,every day in just over 4 years now,its started...damp early mornings,cold winters ( yep here in essex),....its done good.

im curious though folks,if i want a Battery that really really,'KICKS' engine over on morning starts,what should i be looking for please?

rambler

[tufty9]

My Battery decided to die on me whilst at a retail park today in the pouring rain! RAC man suggested Halfords for getting new one on a Sunday. I'm not convinced that's a good idea? Charged up car on motorway for 50 mins, and hope it starts on Monday for a trip to Mr T!

Does the standard radio/CD player in a 2003 RAV need a radio code once the new Battery is reconnected? Cos if it does I can find no evidence of ever owning a code for it! I know someone with a Renault had a new Battery fitted who had lost their code and Renault wanted some extortionate price for telling them what it was! So I hope I won't need a code!

Is a heavy duty battery better for the stop/start type runs, and if so is it likely Mr T would have it in stock, or is it more specialised?

I wish all this rain would stop!

[shcm]

Does the standard radio/CD player in a 2003 RAV need a radio code once the new battery is reconnected? Cos if it does I can find no evidence of ever owning a code for it! I know someone with a Renault had a new battery fitted who had lost their code and Renault wanted some extortionate price for telling them what it was! So I hope I won't need a code!

All the Toyota stuff I've messed with doesn't need a code. You will probably loose your radio pre-sets and other setting etc.

[tufty9]

Thanks for your reply Shcm. So now it's just whether to ask for a heavy duty Battery. I don't think it currently is a heavy duty one, so I guess Mr T can put the same type in as what's in now as I've never had a Battery problem before, but do quite a few stop start journeys in the dark of winter!