Do we still hold Optima Yellow Top as the best battery? I’ve had three batteries in my 06 that I bought brand new in September 06. factory - lasted 5 years 4 months Optima #1 - lasted 3 years 8 months Optima #2 - lasted 4 years 2 months and now needs to be replaced Is there new wisdom regarding the best battery? Are there any other good options besides optima and true start? In my area, optima is $238 with 36 mo warranty. True start is $226 with 24/84 mo warranty. Interstate is $200 with 36 mo warranty. Any other viable options? What’s my best choice here in almost 2020? thanks
Pends.... Your Prius, like my daily driver, is a teenager. How much longer do you intend to drive it? If the Interstate battery's warranty is a 36-month replacement instead of a pro-rated warranty then I'd go with that one. Otherwise? I'd stick with a true-start if THAT one is 24 month replacement - 84 month pro-rated... Your car is now old enough to start wondering if it's going to turn into an organ donor before the end of a 7 year warranty. FWIW.... We used to use Optima in my company for the backup diesel generators - 2x12v each (I have 7 sites) We've stopped using them locally and switched to........(going to the engine room to look........) NorthStar batteries. I do not know if they're available in Prius size but I will say that we switched FROM Optima TO Northstar for reasons other than getting kickbacks, corporate purchasing policy, etc. AFAIK, power techs are free to buy whatever brand they think is best (as long as they RETURN the old battery instead of putting it in their truck or boat!!) and NorthStar the flavor of the month at least in my 6-county area. We switch out the batteries proactively every x months, but let's just say that SOME batteries have developed a higher failure rate than others WITHOUT mentioning any one specific brand.
nothing really stands out these days. i just put in an oem, since the first one lasted 7+ years, and i give it a beating. duracell is a decent one, if there's a batteries + bulbs nearby. i'm sure the interstate and optima's are fine too. if you call around to auto parts stores, you might find one or two more. make sure it's an exact fit before buying. someone said pep boys had a great deal. do you still have the original size post clamps?
Yellow Top are total garbage batteries and they re-sell defective ones... On Priuschat we often get people who post that they replace their 12v and now the car won't start and my first question is did you buy an Optima and they almost always say yes. Contrast that with the fact that I bought a 55 amp-hour 12v from Batteries Plus for $120 in Dec 2012 and here we are in Nov 2019 a and it's still going strong, though getting towards the end. And you can't even get more than 4 years with a garbage Optima and you think that's the best battery for Prius? Never underestimate how the color yellow works even better than putting lipstick on a pig! Here's more info about Optima problems, including one of their head con-man who used to participate in Prius Chat explaining their re-sell policy for defective batteries.
