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My Fit battery seems to have died so I'm looking for a new one. Given the small size of the battery compartment, it hasn't been an easy task. Should I bother with the Optima Yellowtops? Consider that in Brazil they cost like 4x more than the OEM battery, so it's a very significant investment. If yes, what size Optima Yellowtop should I look for, I think I've read it's the D51R?

Thanks

Décio

I wouldn't get an Optima. Their advantage comes during deep discharge and recharge cycles, and your car shouldn't have those cycles. I would try to modify the battery location to accommodate a larger capacity battery.

I wouldn't get an Optima. Their advantage comes during deep discharge and recharge cycles, and your car shouldn't have those cycles. I would try to modify the battery location to accommodate a larger capacity battery.

FAS'ing doesn't count? I'm not sure how they define deep cycle, it might be anything beyond what `ordinary' people do, which is using the battery only to start the car.

I've heard that you can fit a Civic battery if you remove the battery tray. Maybe I should look into it.

Décio

FAS is certainly the reason I fit an Optima battery in my Elantra. It was definitely a good move for me!

I can keep my battery charged indefinitely with lights-on FASing in a 1/3 on, 2/3 off cycle with my SE-R. In the city, I'll turn off the headlights at long stoplights where my battery voltage may drop to 11.6V. If battery voltage drops below 11.6V, I'll run the ICE. The Fit has such a small battery, I'd go with a larger one. And I'd do that before paying 4X the standard battery price for an Optima.

I can keep my battery charged indefinitely with lights-on FASing in a 1/3 on, 2/3 off cycle with my SE-R. In the city, I'll turn off the headlights at long stoplights where my battery voltage may drop to 11.6V. If battery voltage drops below 11.6V, I'll run the ICE. The Fit has such a small battery, I'd go with a larger one. And I'd do that before paying 4X the standard battery price for an Optima.

How old is your battery? I'm afraid the charge and discharge cycles will kill an ordinary battery too quickly. If I go through an ordinary battery 4x quicker than through an Optima, then I'm not really saving by going with the ordinary battery.

Décio

Hi, Darrell -- that only works around here in warmer weather. :(