Replacement battery info for '03 M45

[TexasMadrone]

I'm posting to hopefully help '03 M45(maybe '04 too) owners that might be looking to replacing their OEM batteries w/o buying another one from the dealerHigh cost plus labor charge).

Last year, I made the search and after having looked at the OEM, Interstate, Delco, Optima(I own one for my P/U...great battery but won't fit the M45 battery space and high priced), and a few others, I chose the Sears Gold. I compared CCA, and the reserve capacity, but of real concern, the size to fit the battery space. Keep in mind that the OEM came with a cover or sleeve, the cables are short and don't lend themselves to much movement, and are for top back posts with plus on the right. By the way, the cover/sleeve doesn't work with non OEM batteries.

Here is what I chose:Sears Gold group 34, item 02833134000, model 33134 for southern locations (thicker plates for higher temp. zones). There is a Gold group 34 item 02833334000, model 33334 for northern zones(higher CCA as cold climates need more). Pricing at about $100± plus tax, which is considerably less then several of the others, plus replacement locations just about everywhere nation wide.

What is most important are the dimensions and post locations. Both the south and north group 34 models are identical when facing the battery from the front of the car, having the positive on the top right back side and the negative on the top left back side so that the cables will reach. With a little wiggling, the original hold down clamp at the bottom will work with this group 34 from Sears. Dimensions are; 7 13/16"H X 6 7/8"W X 10 15/16"L.

Gold South: 660 cca 115 min. reserve capacity

Gold North: 795 cca 105 min. reserve capacityBoth are greater then the OEM.

I hope this has been useful and saves someone a lot of time in research. I don't know about the details for other M's but maybe this applies to them also.

TexasMadrone

[F1SportsFan]

Great info, thanks for sharing! It's things like this that make the board great.

[lfj2025]

I'm going to replace my battery before winter starts. All of the sites I've been on show Group 24 is the right fit. The Interstate site shows a 24F which is wrong, the post are reversed on the 24F.

[TexasMadrone]

IFj2025:

I know!! I saw all those references to 24 and 24F sizes also when I was checking out replacements, but post locations and dimensions won't fit our '03's. I physically checked the battery box dimensions under my hood and that's what caused me to search further finding the right fit, amps and minutes. When you get a chance, take a look under you hood at the cable style and locations... plus battery clearance.

TexasMadrone

[lfj2025]

The difference between the 34 and the 24 is the height, 1". There is a spacer in my battery tray if I remove it the 24 fits perfect. If I leave the spacer in the 34 is the only one that will fit.Has anyone else replaced their battery, if so what group # did you use?

Thanks, Larry

[TexasMadrone]

Good info. Keep in mind that whichever size you chose, the cables are short and the height is most important as the 1" is a killer!

TexasMadrone

[lfj2025]

I agree those cables are real short. I'll be replacing my battery in the next couple of weeks. Consumer's Report just did a report on auto battiers. Good info there.

[jbillion]

I just got a Duralast Gold from AutoZone. 3 year full replacement Warranty and 8 year Pro-rated. It has 750 CCA and was around $79+tax after they took my battery for $12.

[lfj2025]

Do you know which group # you bought? Duralast Gold was highly rated. It's the one I put put in my GT.
Modified by lfj2025 at 5:37 PM 10/10/2008

[DELUNASC]

I just had mine replaced at the dealer under the factory warranty. It was pro rated, but it is the stock Infiniti battery for $56 installed.

CD

[TexasMadrone]

Interesting! I would think that if you have an '03, the 4 year/or 60,000 mile whichever came first warranty would have expired now being 5 years later. By the way, even the Infiniti Elite extended warranty doesn't cover batteries except as stated below as replacement parts and that has only a 12 month warranty.

Was this a second replacement? Per the 2003 M45 warranty book, page 16, batteries are then covered under a separate warranty and if purchased and installed by and authorized Infiniti dealer, no labor charge is made. Only pro rated battery cost would apply here.

Sounds like you have made a good deal. How did you work it out while being out of warranty?

Keep in mine that my origin post was based on my comfort factor in being able to have battery warranty service at hundreds of locations nationwide in cases you were not near an Infiniti/Nissan facility which is basically 8am to 6pm only five days a week, plus I wanted a higher rated battery.

After 8PM tonight, I'll be "out of pocket" until the 29th should you post and need me for a reply. I'll check back in then. Thanks for the update on your experience.

TexasMadrone

[jbillion]

The factory battery says right on it, "8 year limited warranty." Thge problem is, the dealership I went to wanted to charge $140 for labor.

[jbillion]

Do you know which group # you bought? Duralast Gold was highly rated. It's the one I put put in my GT.

Modified by lfj2025 at 5:37 PM 10/10/2008

I dont know the group number, I brought my battery with to have it tested and the guy got me the replacement. Will it say the group number on the battery?

[Boon]

What is the brand of battery in the car from the dealer? When I bought my car I got the service history on it and after a year the cars battery was replaced at the dealer. The battery that is in there is a Driving Force and it literally still has the plastic on it, well did I just took it off about 5 minutes ago. This battery doesn't look like a battery that would be put in from Infiniti. Let me know what the stock battery is and what the CCA of it is please cause I might bring this up to my service manager. Thanks................ Boon

[lfj2025]

Yes, most batteries have the group number on the top.

[infinitedrift]

I ended using the Optima red top (live and die by), but be careful beacuse Optima has dieffrent post variations per color. The first one I bought the post were to far apart so I went back and got the right post size. Optima battery also comes with a bigger base just in case battery compartment does not fit...but all in all perfect fit and awesome battery.

[Boon]

Anyone, Anyone, Bueller.

[DELUNASC]

The factory replacement battery is a Infiniti battery, it does not have any other branding on it, just a large white sticker that says Infiniti.

Sorry if my previous post was mis leading, but I had the battery replaced in 07 just days before the factory warranty expired. I believe they are covered under a 8 year pro rated warranty if you stick with the dealer installed battery.

CD

[DRIPS]

I ended using the Optima red top (live and die by), but be careful beacuse Optima has dieffrent post variations per color. The first one I bought the post were to far apart so I went back and got the right post size. Optima battery also comes with a bigger base just in case battery compartment does not fit...but all in all perfect fit and awesome battery.

WHich red top model did you purchase and what is the price?