Need a new battery? Consumer Reports Group 35 replacement battery ratings.

[Gilley]

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2012

Consumer Reports just released the results of their most recent tests of Group 35 batteries. This list is all of the recommended batteries in their list. CR Best Buys are noted with blue. Some batteries are the same price while some increased. The Kirkland battery from Costco is the only battery to decrease in price - by $5. There is a new battery, Plus Start, on the list.

1. Bosch Premium Power 35-640B $90 - still #1 - Pep Boys only
2. EverStart Maxx-35N (North) $90 - moved up one slot - Walmart only
3. Duralast Gold 35-DLG $115 - AutoZone only
4. Kirkland Signature 12865 $60 - Costco only **Consumer Reports Best Buy
5. NAPA Legend Premium 8435 $90 - NAPA only
6. Plus Start 50235 $70 - Sears and K=Mart only **Consumer Reports Best Buy
7. EverStart Maxx-35S (South) $90 - Walmart only
8. Interstgate Mega-Tron II MTP-35 $100
9. DieHard Gold 33135 (South) $125 - Sears and K-Mart only

Not on the recommended list
10. Autocraft Gold 35-2 $115
11. DieHard 50435 $100
12. Interstgate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35 $120 (was #9 two years ago)
13. Duralast 35-DL $100 (was #10 two years ago)

Fell off the list
5. DieHard Gold 33035 (North) $105 - Sears and K-Mart
8. Autocraft Titanium 35-2 $95 Advance Auto Parts

*******************************************

In the November 2009 issue.

1. Bosch Premium Power 35-640B $90 - sold at Pep Boys
2. Duralast Gold 35-DLG $90 - AutoZone
3. EverStart Maxx-35N (North) $75 - Walmart ** Consumer Reports Recommended
4. DieHard Gold 33035 (North) $105 - Sears and K-Mart
5. Kirkland Signature 12865 $65 - Costco **Consumer Reports Best Buy
6. NAPA Legend Premium 8435 - NAPA
7. EverStart Maxx-35S (South) $75 - Walmart
8. Autocraft Titanium 35-2 $95 Advance Auto Parts
9. Interstgate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35 $100
10. Duralast 35-DL $80 - AutoZone
11. DieHard Gold 33135 (South) $105 - Sears and K-Mart

[bob1]

I went with Duralast Gold, used them in my other rides and they have lots of CCA and a kick ass warranty.

[Gilley]

Not a bad choice.

[thatMIAguy]

Always used Walmart batteries. My old CRX would kill a battery in less than 2 years. There was some drain on it I just couldn't find. Anyway...prorated exchanges at Walmart FTW!

[Gilley]

I got my last battery - for the FX - at Sam's Club. I think they use the same Walmart batteries. I got free installation, but I had to take all the plastic trim pieces off for them. They couldn't figure it out and I didn't want broken clips.

[thatMIAguy]

so, free installation but you had to do all the hard stuff...

[Gilley]

yes, but I would have had to bring the battery back for a core charge otherwise.

[thatMIAguy]

well in that case...

[sprocket2]

Consumer reports often has good info but I have to question this.
From my experience, never, ever, buy a battery at Pep Boys. I bought a replacement for my old Trans Am from them and ended up replacing it again (under their pro-rated warrantee 2 more times because they only lasted one year each). Before learning how bad they were, I also put one in my mother-in-law's car- that one was replaced every year for 4 years (again, pro-rated). I consider the Pep Boys batteries as disposable junk to hold you over until you can get a real battery.

[J. Cook]

I had to replace mine about a mos ago, went with an Optima Yellow Top, no consumer reports?

[Gilley]

Those are the batteries that Consumer Reports tested. They didn't test any gel cell batteries in group 35 size.

[J. Cook]

I actually worked for costco for some time, didnt really think much of the Kirkland signature brand but according to consumer reports Im guessing alot of people like them and the price.....

[Gilley]

The gel cell batteries that Consumer Reports tested for two other battery size groups were tops in the ratings. They weren't a best buy though because of their cost.

[wildpig]

Seems like if i don't drive my G at least every 5 days, it won't start. I guess that means battery needs replacement since it cant hold charge? There's nothing i can do (such as somehow recondition the battery or any other tricks?

Is that the cheapest battery that i can buy is the everstart maxx 35? what's the difference between 35N and 35S? I mean it's just group 35, that's what i need right? Any even cheaper ones from another place i can get?

[bachman]

I'd make sure you need a battery and it's not something draining from the system.

google search "battery drain test" and you'll see a simple way to test for it with a cheapy volt/ohm meter. ( $7 to $40) There is text to read on how to or even YouTube vids.