by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 01/20/2017 at 15:59
by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 01/20/2017 at 15:59
Tags: RX-8
STARS: 0
I haven’t paid for a battery on my RX-8 in years. This is not because my battery is great, just the opposite. The dealer has replaced it under warranty, I think, 5 times now because it never outlasts the 2 year warranty. The car will take longer and longer to turn over until finally, one day, it will crank but not turn over and the battery gives out for trying.
The starter coils were replaced a year ago along with the battery, and just last month, I had to have them replace the battery again. They spent almost 3 days trying to find some leak in the system that is bleeding off the battery, but no luck. So, they just gave me another warranty replacement. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The OEM battery specification is for 520 CCA. I’m wondering if I need more amps. The AAA guy who jumped me last suggested that this one is underpowered. My dad got a bigger battery for his RX-8 and it starts easily, but said he had to get a saw and trim the case down to fit in its spot. I don’t want to go there myself.
The RX-8 Club had a bewildering number of opinions on battery choices, but I’m not even sure if that’s the answer.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
01/20/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 1
If the battery is dead- as in it needs replacement- I’d look into a different brand and better rating.
If the battery is dead- as in it can’t keep a charge- I’d start chasing the drain.
"CB" (jrcb)
01/20/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
Do you know what group the battery is? I’m showing group 35, but I’m guessing the year of your car. You can usually get batteries of varying power outputs in the same size if that helps (the two Motomaster ones I’m looking at make 680 & 640 CCA and 800 & 785 CA, respectively).
However, as you stated, odds are it’s not a battery issue. Do you have any aftermarket stuff installed, like lights or stereo equipment?
"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
01/20/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0
Bad grounds? Charging cable? I recently got new charge and ground cables on my car after it was slow to start and had a weird hesitation around 2500 Rpms and when engaging first. Battery never fully died but it gave me hell for a while
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 0
From the manual:
I have a dealer-installed iPod hook up in the globe box. I made sure to not leave it in, in case it drains over time. I use the seat motor a lot every time I get in or out so I can toss my wheel chair in the back, but that should be regained by the alternator, I’d think.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 0
Yeah, they can’t find the drain. Doesn’t mean there isn’t one, but I don’t know how to find one if they can’t.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 1
They checked that stuff and said it was good. These are the time when I wish it was feasible for me to climb in there and root through stuff myself. I like to understand things by personal experience, but it’s just physically too hard in this case.
"CB" (jrcb)
01/20/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0
Doesn’t exactly help. What year is the RX-8?
And I don’t think the seat motor would give you that much of an issue.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 0
Sorry, it’s all I know right now. It’s a 2004.
"CB" (jrcb)
01/20/2017 at 16:43, STARS: 0
No worries.
Basically, group size of a battery denotes the physical dimensions of your battery. It looks like for your model year, it’s a group 35 battery. From what I’ve looked at for Autozone and Canadian Tire, all of them offer a more power than the stock battery. Keep an eye on the warranty: I’m not sure about Autozone, but most Canadian Tire batteries have at least a three year warranty.
Once again though, I think a bigger battery would just be a temporary fix, unfortunately.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0
That’s what I’m afraid of. I got an emergency battery charger for Christmas.
"PowderHound" (PowderHound)
01/20/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 1
I hear ya man. Electrical systems are my kryptonite
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
01/20/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
I haven’t paid for a battery on my RX-8 in years. This is not because my battery is great, just the opposite.
Interesting that my MS6 had a similar issue, being another Mazda product from the same era. The OEM battery lasted about 2 years, but my warranty was long gone by then. It was also an unusual size, and the recommended standard size replacement is actually smaller. I opted to go up to a group 65 and get more capacity and amperage. I had to trim the back of the battery tray and make a spacer between the battery and the hold-down bracket, but the custom fitting was pretty minimal really.
I got the Everstart MAXX battery from Walmart, which has a 3 year full replacement warranty. I had to replace those every 1 to 2 years, but all for free after the first one. I don’t know if the hot engine bay temperatures were killing them or what, but I never found a significant drain on it.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
01/20/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
Well shoot. And the problem is not the cost of the battery. It’s the pain in the butt caused by not being able to start your car. Maybe I’ll try a bigger battery anyway.
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
01/20/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 1
I had a battery die before it was a year old- Speaking with the guy at the battery store, he said that ~30% of car batteries don’t make it to a year old.
So ALWAYS buy a battery with at least a 2 year warranty..
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
01/20/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 0
I had a battery die before it was a year old- Speaking with the guy at the battery store, he said that ~30% of car batteries don’t make it to a year old.
So ALWAYS buy a battery with at least a 2 year warranty..