I guess I'll buy a new battery for my 2015 next week. If it sits for several days in the cold, I have to use the little battery jumper on it. I've decided to get the larger 51R battery. It's standard in the Civic, and it's much more readily available at lower prices than the 151R. The Honda rating for the standard battery is 370 CCA, and it's easy and cheaper to get at least 400 CCA with a 51R.

The current battery is seven years old, 99,000 miles, and if I drive the car every day, it's fine. I have a charger on it now. I'll be getting a regular lead/acid battery. It's less expensive, and they've been around for ages. If I get another seven years out of it, I'll be satisfied.

I've spent a lot of time researching brands, and it really doesn't seem to matter. I've seen good and bad reviews for every brand.

 

Yeah, it seems every brand has its heroes and zeros. In a lot of cases, the difference is the warranty. Try to find one that does not pro-rate over the length of the warranty or they'll give you $5.38 if the battery dies on month 35 of 36.

I've long been a fan of East Penn/Deka batteries so they scored some extra points with me while I was looking to replace my 151R. Of the brands I know they make, I went with Batteries Plus's Duracell battery. At the time I bought it (last fall) it had the most power and the best warranty at a competitive price. No complaints with it though I know I haven't had it all that long. Costco (not East Penn) came in second; NAPA had a nice battery and warranty but it didn't justify the extra they charged for capacity equivalent to Batteries Plus's.

 

Thanks. The only time I used a battery warranty was in the 1970s. I had a battery from JC Penny with a Lifetime warranty. Thery replaced it for free.

 

Diehard battery.

Just bought a 51r Diehard battery.

Car starts right up.

 

How was the installation?

 

Congratulations on getting 7 years out of a battery. I used to live in Arizona and batteries only last about two years there due to the heat. What brand is the 7 year old battery?

 

Piece of cake.

I'm getting the larger stock battery tray later this summer.

The battery tray I have is too small to accommodate the 51r battery.

51r battery tray number.

31521-T5A-000

Also getting new battery tie down rods since mine are rusted.

 

Lightly coat the new rods with a high temp grease to prevent this from happening again.

 

Will do.

Thanks Woof.

 

Do you lock the doors if you don't use the car for a few days? The car will go to sleep if you lock the door and the amperage draw is much lower.

 

My last 2 51R batteries were from Costco. No issues.

 

I thought I'd do the removal and installation in the parking lot. I was wondering if removing the small tray and fitting the new battery in there would be a problem. My 2015 has the small tray, but it seems to be inside a larger tray. I could remove the small tray and drop the new battery in. If I have the store install it, they might complain that it's a non-standard installation and want to charge me. I'd rather not have to make a second trip to give them the old battery and get the core charge refunded, so I'd prefer to do the switch right there.

 

Installing the larger stock Honda battery tray to accommodate the 51r Battery is super easy.

Go on YouTube and search 51r battery tray installation for a 2015 Honda Fit.

 

I second the Costco recommendation. I always use Costco batteries. They usually last at least a a good five years and when they get long in the tooth, I just trade them in for a partial refund! About 550 CCA.

I initially sawed off the rabbet on one side my GD3 tray to accommodate the longer 51r and just used that in my GK. GD3 trays should be plentiful in junk yards if you wanna save some money.

 

Costco batteries have a very good rating.

 

I used to buy Wal Mart batteries with no problems. Last time though when I was looking for a 51R battery Costco battery was cheaper so I switched to that with no problems to date. I have to admit though that being retired I don't use the car that much so my batteries have an easy life. I never have any problems with them and they usually get replaced because of age (7-8 years) and not performance...

 

Costco is a two-hour round-trip, plus a bridge toll. ☹️

 

It's a two hour round trip for me as well - with no tolls! I don't go there that often.

 

Most Costco stores are within a one hour drive from most houses.

 

I was making a general comment. It's more like 1.5 hours each way, with more traffic than I'd like. Still, I'll see what they have to offer. I would probably have to buy a membership or pay extra, too.

Just out of curiosity, I looked. It lists a different battery for the Civic, an H5 (47) AGM. Trying again, I found a 51R, 500 CCA, 3-year warranty for $124. I'll have to think about this.

The Costco I was thinking of is actually a BJs. The nearest Costco is over an hour and a half away, with a toll riad and a toll bridge. Costco says it's 55 miles away, but Google Maps say 90 miles. That's almost $200 round trip. I'd have to pay $40 membership. That would become $130 if I continue next year. I'll shop locally.