Battery replacement

In case anyone needs to know (or the search function does not yield results), the Optima Red Top battery for MS3 is the SC35A.

It comes with a special fitted adapter plate (riser) to allow for height difference. Looks good in the battery box.

$142.55 from Sams Club.

[rfinkle2]

I just had to get a new battery, and like the brakes, they tried to give me the wrong size (autozone).

Originally Posted by rfinkle2 I just had to get a new battery, and like the brakes, they tried to give me the wrong size (autozone).

...a lot of the maintenance sector has risen to it's highest level of incompetence. FUBAR.

I had to call Johnson Controls to find out the correct size. No one at Sams Club knew about the adapter plate either.

[dkapetansky]

Originally Posted by MS3go In case anyone needs to know (or the search function does not yield results), the Optima Red Top battery for MS3 is the SC35A. It comes with a special fitted adapter plate (riser) to allow for height difference. Looks good in the battery box. $142.55 from Sams Club.

Can u post pics of what it looks like in the battery box? When I needed to replace my battery, I didn't know about the Optima, so I got a Stinger instead. But I'm real curious about what your Optima setup looks like.

Originally Posted by dkapetansky Can u post pics of what it looks like in the battery box? When I needed to replace my battery, I didn't know about the Optima, so I got a Stinger instead. But I'm real curious about what your Optima setup looks like.

...will take a few pics tomorrow and post them in the evening...

[jrlms6]

I'm going to be purchasing a new battery before the winter as well. Not looking forward to it, but glad I now atleast have the correct information

[MGM_GT3]

Or you can get the Optima RED SC25A 8025-160 ... Same battery but positive on is the left and negative on the right when looking at the front of the battery.

[karl-hungus]

[Raider]

I'm on my 2nd optima in my ms3. 1st lasted a week. 3 years, 3 months later, this one has started to not hold a charge. From the reviews online, it looks like they changed a lot in recent years. I hope yours lasts, as I will be getting something else when this finally craps itself. The prorated warranty means the replacement unit is $100.

@rfinkle2, did you end up with a Duralast? What is the model?

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by Raider I'm on my 2nd optima in my ms3. 1st lasted a week. 3 years, 3 months later, this one has started to not hold a charge. From the reviews online, it looks like they changed a lot in recent years. I hope yours lasts, as I will be getting something else when this finally craps itself. The prorated warranty means the replacement unit is $100. @rfinkle2, did you end up with a Duralast? What is the model?

Yes. I got a Duralast gold. I will be sure to update this thread with the model #.
When I went to Autozone, they didn't even have a "gold" version listed in their computer.

The battery they originally gave me was both too short, and the cold cranking amps were low compared to the factory specs.

If I had to guess, it is another case of not having Mazdaspeed specific info.

[Raider]

According to the Auto Zone iPhone app, Duralast Gold # is 35DLG. But I don't trust that it is correct, at all. Advance was wrong too.

[Blackspeed]

My battery died last night, so its good to see this thread. I had a red top in my last car and it was still going after 6 years and i drained it to nothing at least a half dozen times. I sold the car, so it could still be going

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by Raider According to the Auto Zone iPhone app, Duralast Gold # is 35DLG. But I don't trust that it is correct, at all. Advance was wrong too.

I know for sure the "35" is correct, and assuming that DLG = Duralast Gold, it seems to ring a bell.

Just to be sure though, it is easy enough for me to check when I get home from work and update the thread.

[trf5000]

Your guys batteries went out that quickly?

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by trf5000 Your guys batteries went out that quickly?

I don't drive my car during the week, so count me out of the group of guys who use the ms3 as a daily driver.

[trf5000]

Weird. I let mine sit all of this past winter and have had zero issues with my bat.

[Raider]

Yeah, mine started crapping out, and I was thinking EGR. Then after 4 days of sitting, dead. I got the system tested, and was told there was no drain pulling off the battery, and that there might be a bad cell. That is what killed my Optima in my old P5, too. Only got the red top when the OEM shit itself and the only option in stock was the Red Top. Worked for 3 years, but once the 36 month free replacement was up, it started dying.

Originally Posted by dkapetansky Can u post pics of what it looks like in the battery box? When I needed to replace my battery, I didn't know about the Optima, so I got a Stinger instead. But I'm real curious about what your Optima setup looks like.

...as promised pics of the new battery in the box...

With some bonus show and tell pics (as long as I had the camera out)...enjoy (yes, I "photojacked" my own thread)...

[rfinkle2]

@Raider,

The Duralast Gold # is 35-DLG. (confirmed after I got home and this thread reminded me)

@MS3go, is that a factory battery box cover?

The 2010 is completely flat on top.

Originally Posted by rfinkle2 @Raider, The Duralast Gold # is 35-DLG. (confirmed after I got home and this thread reminded me) @MS3go, is that a factory battery box cover? The 2010 is completely flat on top.

...it's factory and is part of every Gen1.

Vented from front of car via a factory plastic pipe attached under hood & mating to the battery when the hood is closed.

It's a nice feature except for periodic dust being channeled to the top of the battery.

[fjames]

I put an Odyssey in last winter.

Odyssey PC1500RT

[dkapetansky]

Originally Posted by MS3go ...as promised pics of the new battery in the box... With some bonus show and tell pics (as long as I had the camera out)...enjoy (yes, I "photojacked" my own thread)...

Marvelous! This confirms that the SC35A battery terminal posts are in the same location as OEM. Many claimed equivalent batteries fail to meet this criterion. Sure I can jury-rig battery-cable extenders, etc., to force a fit, but nothing beats a true OEM form factor match for a safe and tidy install.

[Bucker]

Originally Posted by rfinkle2 I just had to get a new battery, and like the brakes, they tried to give me the wrong size (autozone).

Just a side note, they sold me the wrong Serpentine belt when mine snapped, but their system said it was correct.

[irishking03]

NICE!!!

[MS6FL]

Yup, mine just took a crap about 3 weeks ago and i threw in a Yellow top. Forget the size....ill look in a bit.....
I was a bit confused and pissed it wasn't fitting right till i figured out the "adapter" LOL

[Blackspeed]

I went to Sam's club and not only did they not have the correct red top, but they told me they were unable to order the right one even if I gave them the part #. wtf

[lildudeinacar]

I have a panasonic battery in mine... So i have no idea if its OEM or not..

[RMCAT]

OEM is panasonic

[jrlms6]

Just went outside in the pouring rain, go to start my car, and nothing. The inevitable has happened lol.

Second time its died now. Gotta go out and get a new one now

[MS6FL]

Originally Posted by MS6FL Yup, mine just took a crap about 3 weeks ago and i threw in a Yellow top. Forget the size....ill look in a bit..... I was a bit confused and pissed it wasn't fitting right till i figured out the "adapter" LOL

Sorry almost forgot....

Mine is Model# D34-78 Part# 3478DT

[Raider]

Nail in coffin, my Craptima barely started my car up. Got a 24-DLG replacement.

[Yanahdi]

Originally Posted by Raider Nail in coffin, my Craptima barely started my car up. Got a 24-DLG replacement.

That sucks I always thought these things were the best batteries you could buy. Of course I'm a cheap bastard, I always just buy whatever fits the criteria.

[Raider]

I did too. POS had white shit all down the sides, too, like dried up meth or something. LOL.

So far, so good on the Duralast.

[jimmy]

At least your oem panasonic didn't crap out on you in a sonic drive in when your old lady had put you on a diet.

[Raider]

hahaha! no, mine just shit itself at my office parking lot, 2 hours from home, requiring a jump start in the rain.

Sonic sucks, that is why it died.

[bertrand_CX_7]

gratinfo here. I think time has come to get one for my CX-7.

[Design]

If you have a Costco membership you are wasting your money getting anything other than the Kirkland brand. 3 year direct replacement + 3 year prorated + 800 CCA. All under 70 bucks.

There are only a few manufacturers out there that build automotive batteries. The Costco battery cells are built through Johnson Controls - the same supplier for Toyota, Sears DieHard, Optima, Everstart, and many others.

If you don't have a Costco membership, get an Everstart Maxx for a hundred bucks and call it a day. CCA is roughly 550-600 which is better than OEM, IIRC. 3 year direct replacement + 2 year prorated warranty.

[deadlandxtreme]

If you want to go the red top direction, go with a custom mount. Four bolt holes in the bottom secure it to the bottom piece of the stock box. It is plate steel.

[Lex]

FYI battery sizing is done according to the BCI chart. The MS3 is a size 35. Any 35 sized battery will fit. You can find all the dimensions here:

BCI Battery Group Size Chart

[Design]

Originally Posted by Lex FYI battery sizing is done according to the BCI chart. The MS3 is a size 35. Any 35 sized battery will fit. You can find all the dimensions here: BCI Battery Group Size Chart

The OEM Panasonic is slightly on the smaller side. There's a rubber insert on the tie-down that has to be removed to accommodate most Group 35 aftermarket batteries. Additionally, I ran 5 mm spacers on the tie-down bolts for mine.