computersoc Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I keep the lights setting on auto so I never have to turn them on or off. I shut the car off at work, left the keys in my car in the ignition (I was standing a foot away from it), and the head lights never turned off. An hour later my battery was dead and I needed a jump. Battery is original. Do I need a new one? Is the lights staying on FAD? I don't know if the key was in the off or accessory position. I get in and out of my car a lot and don't always have time to remove the keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 The lights may stay on because the keys are in the ignition. Never leave them there, take them out when you don't run the car. The reason is that many ECUs in the cars today take some time to start up and therefore the manufacturers have resorted to various ways to do a pre-wakeup of the ECUs various ways where an insertion of a key can give a second or two added time to wake up stuff. Some cars do start up the ECUs already when a door is opened etc. Lights on + ECUs active is probably pulling at least 200 to 250W, that gives about 20A of current from the battery and a battery that isn't new don't like that. So it's probably a good idea to plan for a new battery if that's the original battery - it's after all about 5 years old now, which is an average lifetime of a battery even though I have had batteries working for 10 years. Get a new battery with as much capacity as you can that still fits the tray and position of the poles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zee199969 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 ^this. It takes a second to take the keys out. Also your battery is likely due for replacement if it is 5+ yrs old My "Build" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nads Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 If you live in a cold weather area then probably good insurance given the age. If not then use it until it dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 If you live in a cold weather area then probably good insurance given the age. If not then use it until it dies. The problem is that a battery invariably dies at the most inconvenient location and time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computersoc Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 What battery do you recommend? I'm in upstate NY so need the CCA. I have an Autocraft Gold on my pickup truck and it seems to be fine. What battery size is the Legacy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww516 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 The problem is that a battery invariably dies at the most inconvenient location and time. Ain't that the truth. Mine wasn't completely dead when I replaced it, but it was dipping down under 11.5 volts in the time it took to pump a tank of gas. Having replaced said battery when it was dark, windy, and maybe 15*F if I was lucky, I'd definitely recommend against that plan. What battery do you recommend? I'm in upstate NY so need the CCA. I have an Autocraft Gold on my pickup truck and it seems to be fine. What battery size is the Legacy? I don't remember that size the stock battery is, but a group 34 will fit the tray of you're willing to ditch the plastic coozy. It's a little shorter (I threw out the adapter tray that came with the battery not knowing what it was, and I nearly bottomed out the threads on the hold-downs), but has a significantly higher CCA rating than the OEM size. I went with a Napa Legend 75 month AGM (P/N 9834), which I'm fairly positive is a relabeled Deka Intimidator (P/N 9A34), and those are pretty universally well-reviewed (or in my case, and probably more importantly, available locally). I know GTEASER is a fan of Exide Edge(?) AGM batteries, and those are well-reviewed as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computersoc Posted September 11, 2017 Author Share Posted September 11, 2017 Last time I bought a battery four years ago Johnson Controls was recommended as the manufacturer. Are they still good? That battery you listed for $158, do they ever have coupons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cww516 Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I think they kinda fell out of vogue, and Optima seems to have gone downhill a little (at least in materials quality) since Johnson bought them. From what I saw, Deka / East Penn and Exide were up toward the top, at least for AGM batteries. If you're looking at lead-acid, though, that could very well be different. Also, it's the internet, so, you know, grain of salt and all that. I think I got 10% off for reserving online and picking up in store, but that's about the best I could find. I don't typically go to Napa, since I have to drive past O'Reilly, Autozone, and Advance to get there, so I don't really know what they have in the way of coupons or sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npatel107 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 I replaced mine with an Optima redtop Group 25 720CCA in December 2015. No complaints so far. Bought from Advance Auto with 30% off coupon. Think I paid about $155 inc tax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTEASER Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Exide Edge AGM. Here's my post in my build thread. I went with a Group 34 size instead of the stock Group 25 because of the massive increase in CCA. http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5334847&postcount=45 GTEASER's 2012 Legacy GT - Sold GTEASER's 2009 XTeaser - Sold GTEASER's 1992 Legacy SS - Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Higher CCA than stock and with as many Amp-hours as possible for the physical size you can fit in the tray. Just get a measuring tape and some patience. Don't install anything higher than current battery though since then the poles may come into contact with the hood. Going cheap on a battery just means that you get worse capacity and shorter battery life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
computersoc Posted September 13, 2017 Author Share Posted September 13, 2017 Anyone know if the places that install batteries for free will install these non standard size batteries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Anyone know if the places that install batteries for free will install these non standard size batteries? Go check with Autozone, Napa or some similar place and talk with them, most of them would be able to help you unless you are able to install a battery yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DugsSin Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 After a new battery install the car may seem like somethings wrong shifting weird , sluggish pickup etc while the ECU relearns things. It should be fine after 5 ~ 10 minutes of driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLlegacy Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Best method after replacing the battery is turn the key on let it sit for a minute then start her up and let her idle a few minutes before driving or turning anything on. I have been doing this after all my reflashes, there has been a lot believe me, and it works very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.