I went to start my (95) 4runner this morning to go to work and I got nothing. I'm assuming it has something to do with the fact that it was about 4F all night. I think it's probably the battery (it's 3 years old).

what would be a good battery for cold temps? I don't really trust people at auto parts stores... if I go in there not knowing what I want I always come out with something I don't need.

 

Optima Yellow Top (or Red Top, but Yellow Top can deep-cycle). They can't be stopped IMO

 

I have had a lot of success with the Duralasts from Auto Zone. Make sure you get an adequate one. Couple years free replacement, I'm thinking maybe 550 cc amps?

 

I have had good luck with the Optima's, and since they are a dry cell much less corrosion occurs. Either way get the most cold cranking amps and the largest battery that you can fit into your engine bay.

 

Optima Yellow-Top has 750 CCA and heavy deep cycle reserve.

Optima Red-Top has 800 CCA, but don't last as long as Yellow Tops from what I have heard here.

When my Red-Top goes out, I'll be getting a Yellow Top (but that might be a while). Optimas just can't be beat... Worth every penny.

 

I agree with mastacox. I run an Optima Red Top and it was worth the money.

 

I found Optima because I've had such good luck with 1st Interstate. When I realized they make the Optima battery, I thought I'd take a chance on their high-end battery. That was 15 years ago (I believe). Now I have 8 of them (lots of apps here) for everything from two toyotas, one Rx7, one tractor, and the rest used on our hydro system for storing dc to convert to high quality ac.

I've not yet tossed one of them. Don't even know which was the first I bought, 15 years ago. Now that Costco stocks them, I'm paying $30 less than I did on that first one.

Lastly, we don't have much in the way of cold-temp here in California, so I looked up comments on that aspect. Here is one guys experience: http://www.mrtruck.net/batteries.htm

 

My dad has 2 in his Dodge, mom has one in her 05 4Runner, sister has one in her Highlander, none of us have had an issue yet, though texas is a bit more renowend for its hot weather.

 

i ran an optima red top in my 99 that i totaled in 01, pulled it out of that truck, put it in my 02 and ran it until a couple months ago when it started to die. i have a blue top in the back to help with the winching/system needs, and havent had a problem with it. ive heard that you want the red top for starting, and the blue for marine applications and the yellow for stereo and offroading requirements.

 

thanks for all the suggestions!

I got a duralast in my previous car when the cold weather killed it last winter (minivan, haaha) it was a pretty decent battery, but I only used it for maybe 4 months before I got my G6.

anyway I just looked online and it says the Optima needs a height adapter? what is that?

 

Optima's have a smaller footprint and height than most batteries they replaced. So you might need some extra nuts to use the original battery posts. Buy it, you will figure out a simple solution when you go to put it in.

 

The height adapter is a plastic stand that should come with the battery. You just set the battery on it when you put it in your car.