[Seanyd78]

When I had my Forester in last week for service, the dealer said my battery was testing bad and would need replacement sooner than later. Since we have a little one, I do not want to risk any issues while we are out and about, especially since they are saying this winter will be very cold. I get a little crazy with researching (I built a huge excel spreadsheet with different battery specs and pricing) and would like some suggestions. I am planning on keeping it until around 2021-2022, so I am looking for something with a good warranty that will get me through until I get rid of it. I do not want to get an Optima Red top as I have absolutely no desire to spend over $200 on a battery. I looked at the Autocraft at advance auto, but they only offer a 36 month warranty. The Duralast Gold, which I have had in the past in other vehicles, is more expensive for just the battery than having a new one installed at the dealership.

unfortunately I am on a bit of a budget. Here are the options I am considering:

New Subaru replacement battery at $155 installed by dealer - 550 cca, 30 month free replacement, 55 month pro-rated

EverStart Maxx - $99.39 at Walmart - 640 cca, 36 Month free replacement, 24 month pro-rated

Bosch Premium - $122.10 a Pepboys - 640 cca, 36 Month free replacement, 96 month pro-rated

Interstate MTP - $152.95 at Interstate Battery Center - 640 cca, 30 month free replacement, 42 month pro-rated


I appreciate all suggestions.

 

[ruminator]

my vote goes to the wal mart battery. i had a couple and they were good.plus if you have to take it back it would be more hassle free. would've got one for my foz but they did'nt have one for it at the time.

 

[asphaltaddict33]

Do not waste your money on the Subaru battery. I feel like I have read about them improving them recently but they are junk when exposed to cold, and offer poor CCA rating compared to other batteries of the same price. And they leak.

I replaced mine with a $85 Costco Interstate battery after 2 of the Subaru ones failed on me. That battery was fine and better in the cold than OEM, but leaked some and was not sufficient for my needs while camping; so I have since gone with an Optima Yellow Top.

IMO anything is better than one from Subaru, especially at that price they want for it. If you do road trips with the car, pick a battery from a place that you can find anywhere if it needs replacement. Otherwise those listed should all perform the same in the cold and offer similar reliability.

 

[BicycleMad]

Optima Yellow Top is the way to go!!!!!!!

 

[subiesubieDOOO]

Deka batteries are well worth the money, subaru batteries are junk less than junk, epitome of junk.. Deka, does a subie good.

 

[ForesterCub]

I was considering an Optima Yellow Top myself. I thought I would read a few reviews - and on Amazon there are lots of reviews absolutely slaughtering these batteries. Apparently, I don't know if true, they have moved the factory location and the quality has gone down the pan, that's what many people are saying. It's certainly made me think twice about a battery I was looking forward to owning.

 

[ForesterCub]

I thought I'd do a a $ to CCA comparison, showing how how many CCA's a $ buys you from each seller. It shows you what terrible value Subaru is.

Subaru - Each $ buys you 3.54 CCAs
Walmart - Each $ buys you 6.53 CCAs
Pepboys - Each $ buys you 5.24 CCAs
Interstate Battery Center - Each $ buys you 4.18 CCAs

 

[billshoff2]

I've had extremely good service from Walmart batteries. They always outlast their warranty and they are an excellent value for the money.
Batteries sold in the US are made by one of three companies: Johnson Controls, Exide or East Penn. However they are sold under many brand names and are built to the seller's specs.
In the event that you buy a battery that fails early you'll want a quick replacement. so buy from a retailer who has stores everywhere.

My two cents worth.

 

[asphaltaddict33]

on Amazon there are lots of reviews absolutely slaughtering these batteries.

Dont let that scare you. I have installed 2 in the past 12 months and had no issues with either(Wrangler and Forester), I have also written zero Amazon review praising the product, cause its just a battery. If they failed I would for sure be writing reviews.... so I gotta imagine theres many more happy customers who also are not writing reviews.

Optima also knows their reputation is important and has a warranty in place for failures, they are expensive but solid from my experience.

One only really needs a yellow top (deep cycle) if one plans to discharge the battery for non-driving uses in some way (I run a fridge overnight while camping). Red tops are slightly cheaper and are 'starter batteries', which will get damaged if repeatedly discharged like a deep cycle.

If needed, one could save a few dollars matching the battery to your needs like OP is trying to do

 

[ForesterBill]

@Seanyd78, what is your battery group size? If it is a group size 35, Consumer Reports tested 7 batteries in that size and the top rated battery is the EverStart MAXX 35N. Make sure you get the 35N and not the 35S which ranked 5th.

 

[asphaltaddict33]

35 is the group size for the 2014+ Forester. Other sizes would fit physically but the posts would not be in the right place to be connected.

That test is good news for OP I think.

 

[Seanyd78]

Thank you everyone for the assistance. I think I will go with the Everstart Maxx from Walmart, as there are 3 within 5-10 minutes and another 3 within 15 -20 minutes. and 2 of them are 24-hour ones so it would make it easier to get a replacement under warranty early morning/late night if need be.

 

[HeyChris]

What's the age/mileage of your forester? I was able to get the battery on my wife's `16 Impreza replaced under warranty in September this year.

For my XT, I have been going through Costco. Although I haven't been happy with the Interstates they've been carrying. But they have a great warranty/Pro-rate program.

 

[tibadoe]

Another vote for the Walmart Everstart MAXX-35N. I have used the Everstart Maxx in other vehicles with zero issues. The 5 Year Warranty Program (3 Years Free Replacement + 2 Years Prorated) is nice. Plus there are Walmart's everywhere around my area.

 

[phwang7]

If you still want the Duralast Gold battery from AutoZone, just buy it with gift cards at 25% off.

Battery for $160 plus tax:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-...ttery/duralast-gold-battery/115788_7704_25698

Gift card at 25.8% off
https://www.cardbear.com/gift-card-discount/117/AutoZone

Net $118.72 plus tax

 

[Seanyd78]

What's the age/mileage of your forester? I was able to get the battery on my wife's `16 Impreza replaced under warranty in September this year.

Mine is a 2015 (bought in march 15) and has around 44k miles. I have the Gold Plus warranty until 100k, but the battery is not covered under it. It is only covered under the original 3year/36k warranty.

 

[pliddle]

Interesting topic. I too have had good results over the years with the Walmart line of batteries. Right now I'm thinking I might be looking in the near future at an upgrade over the factory battery in my 2017 Touring. As I've described before, it's very low mileage (nearly 2 years old and 3000 mi.) since the previous owner was too ill to drive it and it sat in his garage for over a year with very little driving. During that time the battery died 3-4 times and was recharged, again without any significant trips. Since I bought it I've driven it occasionally on errands and for a 5 mi. spin on the interstate every few weeks. Given all this I suspect the battery will likely die an early death--it has always seemed to crank slowly when starting, although the engine fires quickly--as it should. With winter weather in the offing I will be watching it closely.

 

[NewEngland]

I recently noticed my AAA membership offers a free battery replacement. I think up to 1 per year. I wonder what battery they would put in the Forester?

 

[HillyXT]

Did Diehard batteries die a slow death like Sears? I am not seeing any Diehard Platinum Group 35's anymore.

Our '16 Forester (bought in summer of '15) finally had its first battery die (kind of glad as it never was happy to start in the cold anyway), probably just going with an EverStart Maxx 35N per this thread's suggestions.

 

[Rasc]

with this car it is best to get the best test result FLA battery matched to your hot or cold climate, perhaps a larger physical size than OEm but that will fit, or go to AGM (optima type).
with lead, I think you will want to replace at three years, failed or not. There are six or seven variables that will affect your choice.

We already know a key variable: inherent drain in design flaw, even if the vehicle has nothing broken on it.

other variables

1. climate
2. your frequency of non use of drives of car
3. your frequency of 30 minute drives at highway speed (some people do this every day, some people do this every two weeks.
4. is your garage attached and moderating temps
5. do you live/drive somewhere where dead battery might leave you someplace unsafe, difficult or time consuming to get jumpstart
6. do you have kids who might leave on a load like even a single interior light?