I hope folks had a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover Been a while since I had any Toyota probs, but the excellent Panasonic battery found in my 2.4-liter, inline-4 cyclinder, 2006 Camry (made in Japan) is now leaking blue corrosive gunk by the negative terminal (the postivie terminal is always clean, meaning it's probably not an alternator problem--just a simple leak).
I'm really happy with the Panasonic battery from Toyota's factory since it lasted over 9 years without a leak or problem. It only started leaking recently, but I'm getting tired of cleaning the gunk so I think if the negative terminal leaks again and corrodes the metal contacts, I will buy a new battery. Yesterday after cleaning the terminal, I applied vaseline for the first time onto the negative-side metal surfaces of the battery, but if the vaseline doesn't help and the blue gunk returns, I'll just buy a new battery.
The best warranty I've found so far is for the Duralast Gold 24F-DLG at AutoZone: 5 years warranty (first 3 years full replacement; last 2 years prorated). I think O'Reilly used to have the same warranty on their house brand battery called Super Start, but the clerk over the phone said their new warranty is now just 3 years but they probably will go back to the 5-year warranty in future, he said.
So I guess I'll go with AutoZone's better warranty. The Duralast Gold 24F-DLG offers 750 CCA and 130-minute reserve. IIRC the price is about $110. My main criterion is not cold craking amps, but long battery life, so hopefully the new battery will last another 9 years, even if the cost approaches $150 to $200. Trouble-free convenience is worth it. Is the Optima Red Top a good contender?
I called Fusz Toyota. He said for the 2006 Camry they will install a new Interstate battery for $150, but it has only a 2-year warranty. They also install Tru-Start batteries.
By the way, I will consider an AGM battery if AGM really will increase lifespan.
Any ideas for a long-life battery that might reach over 9 years without leaking and have a 5-year or longer warranty? Thanks.
I'm really happy with the Panasonic battery from Toyota's factory since it lasted over 9 years without a leak or problem. It only started leaking recently, but I'm getting tired of cleaning the gunk so I think if the negative terminal leaks again and corrodes the metal contacts, I will buy a new battery. Yesterday after cleaning the terminal, I applied vaseline for the first time onto the negative-side metal surfaces of the battery, but if the vaseline doesn't help and the blue gunk returns, I'll just buy a new battery.
The best warranty I've found so far is for the Duralast Gold 24F-DLG at AutoZone: 5 years warranty (first 3 years full replacement; last 2 years prorated). I think O'Reilly used to have the same warranty on their house brand battery called Super Start, but the clerk over the phone said their new warranty is now just 3 years but they probably will go back to the 5-year warranty in future, he said.
So I guess I'll go with AutoZone's better warranty. The Duralast Gold 24F-DLG offers 750 CCA and 130-minute reserve. IIRC the price is about $110. My main criterion is not cold craking amps, but long battery life, so hopefully the new battery will last another 9 years, even if the cost approaches $150 to $200. Trouble-free convenience is worth it. Is the Optima Red Top a good contender?
I called Fusz Toyota. He said for the 2006 Camry they will install a new Interstate battery for $150, but it has only a 2-year warranty. They also install Tru-Start batteries.
By the way, I will consider an AGM battery if AGM really will increase lifespan.
Any ideas for a long-life battery that might reach over 9 years without leaking and have a 5-year or longer warranty? Thanks.
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