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OEM Battery Life, how long do they normally last

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Steve6, Apr 16, 2020.

  1. Apr 16, 2020 at 2:57 PM
    #1
    Steve6

    Steve6 [OP] New Member

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    Steve
    Tucson
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    2018 Silver Tundra SR5 TRD Off Road
    My truck is just under 2.5 years old and I've recently noticed that the engine hasn't been cranking over with the same vigor that it had previously. Today, the truck wouldn't start without a jump from my NOCO jumper battery (started right up using the NOCO). Battery is on a trickle charger now.

    I attribute the loss in battery performance to the fact that I haven't been driving much due to the WuFlu putting the kibosh on my company.

    My question is, what are members here getting for a life span on their OEM batteries? I'm going to see how the battery acts after overnight charging and I am also going to put it on a load tester as well. Just wondering if the battery is nearing the end of its reliability. I've been reading the battery thread on this forum; wondering if it's time for an upgrade.

    TIA
     
  2. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:01 PM
    #2
    ninjajay

    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    Spoolston, TX
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    Toytec/Radflo Lift, Ambit RS02 18x9+0, Bridgestone Revo 3 295/70/18
    If you haven’t been religiously checking and topping off the water, they don’t last long at all. They die within 2 years
     
  3. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:13 PM
    #3
    rebmo

    rebmo 2020 Crewmax Limited 4wd Silver/Black

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    Rural SE Wisconsin
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    2020 CM LImited 5.7L V8 4WD
    You don't say where you live or have it in your signature. In the Northern climates many Tundras come with the "cold weather package" which has a larger CCA battery and higher output alternator. I had a 2010 DC and the OEM battery lasted 8 years. I try to start all my vehicles with all the toys off. I did get a solar charger for my battery now that I'm working from home. I have about 900 miles on my 2020 after 3.5 months and most of that was put on in Jan/Feb before work from home happened. I do wonder if all the TSS and push button start and radar and sensors put a heavier load on the batteries which may shorten their life.

    I would think your battery should be good for at least 4-5 years in a colder climate and 3-4 years in a hot climate based on what I've read in other postings. I have a solar charger from Harbor Freight that I just bought (so I can fool my green friends jk) which maintains the battery. I have to figure out how to wire one of my cig lighter sockets to on all the time though to get the solar charger plugged in and sending 1.5A trickle to the battery. You can hook it direct to the battery, but the 12V connector is the easiest. For now I'm starting it every few days and giving it a highway run to charge up the battery.
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2020
  4. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:19 PM
    #4
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    Burpinham, Babalama
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    2015 MGM Limited 2x4 Sequoia
    I'm at 3.5 years and mine is doing just fine. I'm going to be replacing it in the next 60 days for when the hot-hot season takes flight here in Alabama and the air conditioner is working full time.

    My standard for the last 10, or so, years has been to replace at the 3 year mark. I'm stretching it just a bit this time but I'm always a very conscientious battery manager.
     
  5. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:27 PM
    #5
    Medic343

    Medic343 5+4+3=2

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    I got mine replaced right before my warranty expired in December...so yeah 3ish years
     
  6. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:38 PM
    #6
    Haggis777

    Haggis777 I.L.J.C.M.L.

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    2015 Silver SR5 TRD Tundra Canadian Model
    LEDs interior & exterior, stubby antenna, Bak-Flip cover, 285's, AGM battery, block heater, Pine tree air freshener
    I proactively replaced my 3-year old battery for peace of mind in my 2015 SR5.
    Went with an Autocraft 24F AGM.
     
    Flyinryank likes this.
  7. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:49 PM
    #7
    Flyinryank

    Flyinryank New Member

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    Las Vegas, NV
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    If you get 3 years out of a non agm battery youre doing good imo. Weather and use factor into battery life as well.

    Mine was still going strong after 4 years but I also decided to proactively replace the factory battery with an AGM 27F
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2020
  8. Apr 16, 2020 at 3:55 PM
    #8
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    Southeast Greater Basin, AZ
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    Mine made it about 18 months since the date of purchase, so call it 2 years? The dealership replaced it for free and the new battery has an 84 month warranty, with a full replacement in the first 2 years I think. I noticed a bit of leaking around the caps and then a week or two later had some slow starts.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo likes this.
  9. Apr 16, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #9
    Steve6

    Steve6 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for all of the replies so far. In response to one of the replies, I'm in Tucson so the cold weather isn't a problem but I have had other vehicle batteries give out once the weather really heats up for the summer (still a couple of months away). Sounds like a wide variation in the potential life span. I'll put the tester on it tomorrow after it's had a full night on the charger. Guess I need to update my profile too; thought I had my added my location previously.

    Thanks again.
     
    YardBird and Leo's first like this.
  10. Apr 16, 2020 at 5:04 PM
    #10
    jeffw6236

    jeffw6236 New Member

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    I think it's hard to tell on the original one. On our 4Runner it the original battery lasted less than 2 months, on 2016 Tundra (now traded in), my original battery lasted just under 2 years.
     
  11. Apr 16, 2020 at 5:57 PM
    #11
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    TRD Pro grille, 2018 LED Headlights, Undercover Flex bed cover, Neoprene seat covers, Bed/tailgate mats, Power tailgate lock, auto headlights, illuminated key switch
    Right now, you appear to be slightly ahead of the game. The poll data shown below shows service life of original Gen3 Tundra batteries. I suspect this data may represent statistics for two different battery types. From before 2014 up to about 2015-16, there is a more reliable battery type with longer life (4-5 years) that gradually fades away. Starting about 2016-17, another OEM battery type was installed that appears to last about two years, with loss of conductivity (dead cell) as the failure mode. Warning: Dead cell failure occurs without warning; one minute it cranks fine, next minute, nothing.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/original-battery-life-gen-3-tundra.48235/
     
    YardBird likes this.
  12. Apr 16, 2020 at 6:11 PM
    #12
    msikk

    msikk New Member

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    I got about 6 years on my OEM battery on my 2012, replaced in 2018 with a DieHard Gold AGM and haven't looked back. The OEM had a terrible corrosion problem that went away the moment I went to the DieHard.
     
  13. Apr 16, 2020 at 6:22 PM
    #13
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    I got maybe a year before it wouldn’t hold a charge overnight. Replaced it with a dual battery setup.
     
  14. Apr 16, 2020 at 11:45 PM
    #14
    MGM

    MGM New Member

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    Going on 4 years with mine.
     
  15. Apr 17, 2020 at 2:48 AM
    #15
    Maadcaap

    Maadcaap White Tundys

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    275/70/18 KO2
    Lots of factors, but climate is one..8E104F49-2531-4391-B57F-53AAD5767840.jpg
     
  16. Apr 17, 2020 at 2:57 AM
    #16
    Leo's first

    Leo's first TRUCK GANG

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    :rofl:
    These threads are getting too be like MPG
     
    WVI, Medic343, YardBird and 2 others like this.
  17. Apr 17, 2020 at 3:48 AM
    #17
    gdiep

    gdiep I like cookies

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    I got a little over 5 years then the oem battery died. It died in the middle of winter.
     
  18. Apr 17, 2020 at 3:52 AM
    #18
    Kalashnikov 47

    Kalashnikov 47 New Member

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    I have a 2015 tundra, and although my battery didnt die. Dealership came back and diagnosed that my battery needed replacement so after 5 years i finally got a yellow top lol
     
  19. Apr 17, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #19
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

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    Buy a battery with higher than recommended Cold Cranking Amps, it should last longer than the standard battery.
     
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  20. Apr 17, 2020 at 7:23 AM
    #20
    Steve6

    Steve6 [OP] New Member

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    Steve
    Tucson
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    Thanks to John Lakeman for the link to the other thread with the poll. Did a search but that thread didn't come up for me. Also, thanks Maadcaap for the map. I've never seen that info before.

    Didn't intend to start another 'MPG thread'. Seems a little different to me. Trying to get end user experience in order to make a more informed decision about whether or not it is time for a new battery strikes me as a little different than bitching about a truck that gets truck gas mileage. Search didn't pull up the info I was looking for.
     
    Leo's first likes this.
  21. Apr 17, 2020 at 2:35 PM
    #21
    ZPhilip

    ZPhilip Custom title here

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    Harrop supercharger, TRD Pro Fox suspension, CB +1 shackles, 295/70-18 Toyo ATIII, TRD Pro forged rims
    I just replaced the OEM battery in my 2015. And I am in PA.
     
  22. Apr 17, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    #22
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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    100_0761.jpg
    Only because I've killed a lot of batteries due to not driving much I broke down an purchased a battery maintainer. I have one hooked up on a motorcycle that sees little use as well.
    Highly recommended for extending your battery's life. Set it and forget it ~ won't overcharge your battery under any circumstance and your rig's ready when you are.
    Lots of different price points available on these from all sorts of manufacturers.
    https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...y1MTpOKc37YY_35pviRoCoNUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
     
  23. Apr 17, 2020 at 3:47 PM
    #23
    FrenchToasty

    FrenchToasty The Desert rat, SSEM #5/25, 6 lug enthusiast

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    The SoAz….. big surprise
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    I’ve got a group 31 agm in our 5th gen 4runner, supposedly our charging system doesn’t bump up the voltage long enough to keep the battery topped off. Also it sees very little drive time and if it does it short distances or idling with all accessories on. I ended up getting the nuco 4amp single bank on board charger. There was plenty of room to mount it infront of the air box on the passenger side. The male plug just rests inside the winch bumper hand hold, so its easy access to plug it in. I need to get one for the tundras Agm that I just threw in.
     
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  24. Apr 18, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    #24
    Steve6

    Steve6 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Yardbird and FrenchToasty. I used the NOCO 3500 that's normally hooked up to my MC to top off the Tundra battery. Based on all of the info / feedback in this thread, I'm thinking that I need to replace the battery sooner than later if I want to ensure the reliability of the truck. The hot weather is just around the corner and that alone may be enough to finish off a weak battery.
     
    YardBird likes this.
  25. Apr 18, 2020 at 8:42 AM
    #25
    Rob's Inferno

    Rob's Inferno New Member

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    My 17 battery last just about 2 years from the day i bought the truck brand new.Fine one minute ,totally dead the next on a sunday no less.
     
  26. Apr 18, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #26
    Netmonkey

    Netmonkey Don't be a Dumbass

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    I replaced my oem battery at 4 years. It was down to 420cca. It would still start the truck, but I replaced it before it left me stranded :)
     
  27. Apr 18, 2020 at 11:18 AM
    #27
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    I replace my vehicle batteries about every 3 years.
    When I first hear that little lag in starting, I replace it.

    I went with a Batteries Plus X2Power Size 24F this last time.
    I would have bought a 27F if they'd had it in stock.

    https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli24fagmdp

    So far so good..
     
  28. Apr 18, 2020 at 1:39 PM
    #28
    Maadcaap

    Maadcaap White Tundys

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    Those X2 batteries are great.. I have a group 31 in my 4 runner, 100’s of offroad miles, days of remote camping with an arb refrigerator.. holding up great... I do connect it to an AGM battery charger every couple of months to top off the charge... oh yeah and its american made (northstar)
     
  29. Apr 18, 2020 at 1:53 PM
    #29
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

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    Ever done any voltage mods to boost the stock regulated voltage? I really want an AGM but I keep hearing of failures due to undercharging. I have always topped off my wet batteries every once in a while anyway so hooking up an agm won’t be an issue.
     
  30. Apr 18, 2020 at 2:17 PM
    #30
    Maadcaap

    Maadcaap White Tundys

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    275/70/18 KO2
    No, i dont have any voltage booster mods.. I plug it into the charger on agm setting.. its been a great battery for almost 4 years...
     
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