Just a heads up for anyone else in a similar situation -- be sure to check your warranty terms when you get a replacement battery.

My original battery died after 4 years of use 18 months ago. I had it replaced at the Honda dealer's service shop (where I had originally purchased the car new) with the standard Honda replacement battery.

That battery died the other day. Went back to the same dealer service shop for a replacement. I told the service rep that the AAA roadside assistance agent had tested the battery before jump starting the car and found that the battery was basically dead and needed to be replaced. The service rep asked me to sign a service agreement for the replacement, without telling me what the expected cost would be. He had stapled additional sheets to the sheet I was being asked to sign which listed a battery replacement of $100 plus labor.

I asked him what the expected charges would be, and he said he wasn't sure but he thought the labor (prorated) would come to about $40 plus the battery itself ($100).

I said that that sounded completely wrong since when I'd bought the battery I'd been told it carried, as I recalled, a two-year warranty, so there should have been another 6 months left of coverage. He said he didn't think so, but he checked with someone else. He then came back and said the battery would probably be covered but I'd still have to pay the labor. (He didn't ask me to sign anything though, at this point.)

They replaced the battery, and in the end there was no charge for the battery or the labor -- which is what I'd been led to believe would be the case when I initially got the battery.

So just another reminder to be sure to double check terms of warranty coverage before accepting dealer's charges.