Specs should be on your battery.
Installing another battery isn not going to void anything.

Get a battery with the same post configuration and that will still fit the tray and underneathe the holddown.

More CCA and higher AH rating

 

Thank you. Odyssey batteries seem to be good, but i can't find any ones that fit the 2020 models yet.

I will be getting my Forester next month, which is why I mentioned this as being pro-active

 

@akc5247 , I think you are very much jumping the gun. A tiny minority of people have drained their battery, including me. I left my hatch open for over 12 hours and others have done similar things to deplete their batteries. Since then I've closely monitored both battery and charging system behavior in a variety of driving conditions and have found zero reason to replace a perfectly good battery that continues to do its job reliably. When the time comes, a few years down the road, I'll replace it with something a tiny bit larger because the extra cost at that point is negligible.

 

@akc5247 , I think you are very much jumping the gun. A tiny minority of people have drained their battery, including me.

For what it is worth it really isn't a minority as there is a battery settlement for many mods of Subi. 2015-2020 currently. Batteries could not handle AS/S, Key Fob sensors and other features. At 30Kmi my 21 just failed batt test. Trying to figure out best battery some are saying use 750CCA vs 620CCA that is in the vehicle. That said I do not use AS/S, leave doors unlocked in my garage and other stuff like turn off interior lights. I am waiting for info from local dealer now and will go to SOA next to see what is recommended and is a computer program also required. 7th Subi for our family and older mods had no issues with batteries. I think the settlement was for 43 Million if you would like to confirm please search for Subaru Battery Replacement Settlement as I can't post a link yet.

@Gebe,
I too am searching for best battery to replace and CCA. Another thread I read had 750CCA being recommended along with computer update to work on loads, but that was a 2020 and mine is 2021 so not sure if computer was optimized or not.

I never used the S/S option in my 2019 Touring (purchased new 10/2018) and installed the S/S Eliminator device as soon as they became available.
Even so, the OEM EFB started failing shortly before 36 months of service, and I replaced it over a year ago with an AGM battery. The car has not experienced any electrically-related issue since the AGM was installed.

Do you mind saying what battery you used for a replacement? I have a 21 Sport with 30Kmi and my batt is bad and trying to work through all the info. TIA

 

Appreciate the quick response. thank you @boureesub

 

Three ways you can reduce the drain on a car battery:

1. Replace all interior courtesy lights with LED bulbs. That way if you accidentally leave the tailgate ajar the drain on your battery will be less than with incandescent bulbs.
2. Don't use the "Automatic" headlight function which activates the "Welcome Lighting" feature that turns on low beam headlights before/after you enter/exit the car.
3. Adjust the length of time that interior lights (map, dome, cargo) remain on after closing the door to the shortest time interval option. This can done via the Multi-Function display.

Also, when replacing a battery just don't shop by Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs). Also consider Reserve Capacity.

 

Thank you. I'll definitely remember to look up #2 and #3.

As for #1, Mine is the Touring, so LEDs are standard I believe.

 

Just to clarify, this thread was not created as I am skeptical about the OEM battery (I am a little bit, tbh), but rather to have good information in hand (like above), to make an informed decision when the time comes.

Please keep posting any additional recommendations that would help new owners of the vehicle like myself.

I appreciate all the responses so far.

 

For what it's worth ... I have a 2014 Forester and a 2019. The 2014 factory battery was a joke. It didn't last but about 2 years. I replaced with one that had a significantly better CCA rating and it has already outlived the factory battery. Sorry that I can't remember the "before" and "after" CCA ratings. But I will say, the 2019 factory battery has a higher CCA rating than the 2014. Is it enough bigger? Time will tell, but it certainly is a better spec'd battery than Subaru used to put in Foresters.

 

The OEM battery in the 2014-2018 generation Foresters went from 390cca to 470cca in later years.

 

I'm looking to replace my OEM battery before winter rolls around. Various auto parts websites that I've visited haven't be very helpful except for RockAuto, which is recommending the BOSCH S6523B AGM, Group 35; CCA 680, but it isn't in stock (Bosch's website agrees that this battery fits the Forester Touring). AutoZone is showing the Duralast Platinum 35-AGM Group 35 650 CCA. Interstate's website doesn't show any batteries for a 2019 Forester.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

 

I'm looking to replace my OEM battery before winter rolls around. Various auto parts websites that I've visited haven't be very helpful except for RockAuto, which is recommending the BOSCH S6523B AGM, Group 35; CCA 680, but it isn't in stock (Bosch's website agrees that this battery fits the Forester Touring). AutoZone is showing the Duralast Platinum 35-AGM Group 35 650 CCA. Interstate's website doesn't show any batteries for a 2019 Forester.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Why buy?... let it fail and get one for free - it's under warranty.

 

Depends what your needs are and your price point. If your a regular driver you can go to an autozone and get duralast gold which is way better then the OEM battery.

 

Believe it or not, the WalMart Maxx EverStart batteries have got top ratings in CR and other magazines for many years. I've had several in my cars, including two in Alaska where it often stayed below zero (F) day and night for weeks at a time. Never had a problem. Plus there are WalMarts every 5 miles (it seems) if you have a problem.

 

@Rickey , Those are all upgrades from the OEM battery.

@Makdaddy , 2019 and on have stop/start systems that need EFB or AGM batteries. I've used Durlast Gold as well, but they won't cut it for cars with star/stop. Too much cycling.

Here are three high end AGM replacements.

Odyssey Extreme
65 AH
850 CCA
130 Minute Reserve
4yr warranty
50lbs
35-PC1400 | ODYSSEY® Battery

Northstar Pro
60 AH
740 CCA
115 Minute Reserve
4 yr warranty
49 lbs
NSB-AGM35

X2 Power (rebranded Northstar Pro?)
60 AH
740 CCA
115 minute reserve
5 yr warranty
45.6 lbs
X2Power Premium AGM Battery for 2019 Subaru Forester H4 2.5L 390CCA Car and Truck - SLI35AGMDP at Batteries Plus Bulbs

 

Group 35 is the correct battery. AGM are great in high heat area due to no chance of battery going dry due to heat evaporation of battery fluid.

I have the X2 battery in my 2001 and it's now approaching 5 years of life.

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Thanks for the tips!

 

If you are near a Costco they have a group 35 Interstate AGM battery for $154.99. With the parasitic battery drain on the 2019+ model years I would prioritize reserve capacity over CCA's.

 

That’s a good deal. Interstate didn’t have a Group 35 AGM available a year ago. Their MTX-35 has 100 minute reserve, 650 CCA, and weighs 40.7 lbs.

If anyone is keeping track, the “premium” batteries cost nearly double, get you 15-30 more minutes reserve, 100-200 more CCA, weigh around 10 lbs more and have 1-2 year longer warranties.

 

+1 on the Costco unit. There is extra room from the fender to the motor on the fa20 and I was able to easily fit a group 24F. Not sure about the 19's Same height and width as a group 35 but about an inch longer with the terminals on the proper sides. Way more CCAs and RC for only a few $ more.

 

You know..... I actually started using AAA for battery replacements. I just found it really convenient to have them come out to my house and handle the swap. IIRC, they use Exide batteries.

 

Do you have enough room to fit a 24F battery?

 

I remember someone else used a 24F. I think in a 2019. It was not a drop in replacement. The interstate 24F is 10 15/16” long while the group 35 is 9 1/16”. You’d need a different battery tray for starters. Height and width are similar.

 

Another vote for Costco. I had one battery lose juice after three years and it was suppose to be pro-rated warranty but Costco simply gave me a new battery gratis.

 

@Makdaddy , 2019 and on have stop/start systems that need EFB or AGM batteries. I've used Durlast Gold as well, but they won't cut it for cars with star/stop. Too much cycling.
Here are three high end AGM replacements.

Odyssey Extreme
65 AH
850 CCA
130 Minute Reserve
4yr warranty
50lbs
35-PC1400 | ODYSSEY® Battery

Northstar Pro
60 AH
740 CCA
115 Minute Reserve
4 yr warranty
49 lbs
NSB-AGM35

X2 Power (rebranded Northstar Pro?)
60 AH
740 CCA
115 minute reserve
5 yr warranty
45.6 lbs
X2Power Premium AGM Battery for 2019 Subaru Forester H4 2.5L 390CCA Car and Truck - SLI35AGMDP at Batteries Plus Bulbs
[/QUOTE]

Great info, I replaced the way undersized stock lead/acid battery in my 2015 while it was still good, it had left me stranded with dead battery twice! I bought the Odyssey couple years agao and am very happy with it so far, knock on wood lol.

 

IMO you should consider a LiFePO4. What does it do better than AGM? Everything. Faster charging, lighter, maintenance free, higher operating temperature, they don't vent gas, explode or burn.
I'm running a 60ah in my SH. Last week I left a map light on overnight. I turned the key to acc in the morning and let my AP fire up. I got a reading of 14v.

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Just a clarification... I’m not knocking the quality of the specified battery, but there are 2 things onem May wish want to consider, or at a minimum investigate.

1- This battery appears from its description to be a “deep cycle” construction battery, and historically deep cycle battery’s don’t do well in the long term in a rapid discharge/charge environment, such as ignition sources for vehicles. They’re much better suited for things like boat trolling motors, electric cars and electric golf carts, camping power sources for lights, etc. Of course, this battery construction style may be different, so investigate before buying.

2- This battery is of lithium-ion design, and yes, it definitely has the capacity to overheat, burn and explode.

Defective lithium batteries have caused issues in Boeing 787 aircraft and some battery powered cars, as well as a host of electronics... laptops, vaping devices, cellphones, etc.

Overall, however, they are usually very safe if manufactured to high specifications under good Q/C.

 

Everything has the capacity to burn if you apply enough heat. AGM has the advantage in freezing temperatures. I live in Phoenix. Also, LiFePO4 can withstand deeper dod to around 10% and still put out max voltage.

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At nearly triple the cost of an AGM battery, sorry but don't see the cost justification for buying such a battery. If I lived up north I would not pay the extra for an AGM and just buy a regular flooded cell battery. But I live in TX and AGM out last the flooded ones. But triple the cost of an AGM? No thank you.

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Meh, they cost about the same.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33027912773.html?spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33027912773&aff_trace_key=&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3266amp-rE83Hr3UBIsyUmQppuId6Q1599407734987&browser_id=0ef620d6d2d141848d10212ad5a52fae&is_c=Y

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Meh, they cost about the same.

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/33027912773.html?spm=a2g0n.search-amp.list.33027912773&aff_trace_key=&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=3266amp-rE83Hr3UBIsyUmQppuId6Q1599407734987&browser_id=0ef620d6d2d141848d10212ad5a52fae&is_c=Y

Double the cost of the Interstate AGM battery from Costco.