2016 Subaru Outback Q85R Battery Suggestions

JackOfNoTrade on 19/03/2023 - 14:23
Last edited 19/03/2023 - 14:41 by 1 other user

Hello all.

I've got a 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Prem Petrol that needs to have its battery replaced as it's failed the last test at service.

Does anyone have any recommendations about which battery brand to go with? It's a stop start engine unfortunately, so I'm limited in my choices to just the Q85R models.

So far I've only been to Autobarn who suggested:
Century Active (from Oz) with 36 month warranty @ $550
and
Varta (German made) with 24 month warranty @ $392 (they've got a special going on till the end of the month)

Any other suggestions or experiences with the above or other ones would be appreciated.
Cheers

P.S.: I'm having trouble adding tags, sorry about that.

Automotive Car Car Battery Rechargeable Battery Subaru

Comments

  • trippple on 19/03/2023 - 14:41
    +1

    I literally just dealt with the same issue after coming back to a dead car after a holiday.

    There are very few options and I ended up going with the genuine Yuasa battery from battery world for $499 as it had a better warranty. I’m sure the other option for about $150 cheaper would be fine, but the extra warranty for an ISS battery sold me.

    The idle stop start function couple with the reversed negative/positive terminals severely limits your choices for the Outback.

  • Baysew on 19/03/2023 - 14:53
    +1

    Try Every Battery, they also are on eBay. I'm happy with the battery I got from them, although it was less demanding than the type you are looking at.

    • JackOfNoTrade on 19/03/2023 - 15:42

      Which one did you get? I saw that their site has the Panasonic Q100R ( which replaces their 85R version) for $319. Their description on the battery is suggesting that it can last up to 8 years.

      • Baysew on 19/03/2023 - 17:26
        +1

        I'm only suggesting them as an outlet to try. I was curious about your stop start battery, so I looked it up.

        I only needed a cheap battery for a cheap car. Not everyone lists their prices on the internet. The usual Supercheap/Repco/Autobarn wanted $150 or so, I got a Neuton Power battery for $100.00. Also, they list on eBay, so prices can vary between their site and eBay.

        The Panasonic certainly is an eye catcher.

  • Mechz on 19/03/2023 - 14:58
    +1

    Does the battery still function ok? What test did it fail?

    I once had a battery last 5 years after the service centre said it was due for replacement in the next 'month or 2'.

    • JackOfNoTrade on 19/03/2023 - 15:15

      The battery test was done back in June 2022 (no idea what specific test it was though). I've just been slack about changing it because of how well it's been running still.

      • MS Paint on 19/03/2023 - 15:32
        +2

        Sounds like it's fine to me. Get it tested for free at a battery place. A second opinion is always good.

      • Malik Nasser on 19/03/2023 - 17:18
        +1

        If the battery is still going strong, they would have been testing the state of health (SOH) of the battery. Once the SOH of the battery falls below a certain level (80%, 60%, etc…) they would recommend that the battery be replaced. This is more a preventative measure than a failure of the battery. Eventually all batteries die and need replacement, this SOH measurement just gives you more 'peace of mind' that the battery is unlikely to leave you stranded.
        As you have experienced, the battery is still going strong, and could possibly go for a while more yet.
        The SOH level used by the dealer/mechanic would be a recommended value they use for all customers, so whether you are more of a risk taker or risk averse, they would have it set for the risk averse.
        Essentially how distraught would you be if you were caught out with a flat battery?
        If you are willing to push it, wait till you hear the starter motor speed start to struggle to start the car, and then you know the battery is not able to hold charge (SOC).

        • dcep on 19/03/2023 - 20:02
          +1

          wait till you hear the starter motor speed start to struggle to start the car, and then you know the battery is not able to hold charge (SOC).

          I heard battery could suddenly dropped a cell without any prior warning symptoms.

          • JIMB0 on 20/03/2023 - 06:58
            +1

            @dcep: This happened to me. Car was 9 years old on the original battery. Only just managed to start the car and get home, then it wouldn't start again.

          • JackOfNoTrade on 21/03/2023 - 20:19

            @dcep: Yeah, that literally happened to my wife's 2017 Honda Civic over the weekend.

  • knasty on 19/03/2023 - 16:28
    +1

    THis might be a good option for you?

    https://www.budgetbatteries.com.au/shop/century-efb-stop-sta…

  • Ocker on 19/03/2023 - 16:46
    +2

    Go for the Varta battery. We had a Varta stop/start placed in one our MB's over 5 years ago and it is still going strong.

  • dcep on 19/03/2023 - 16:55

    Not sure about Subaru , but some makers disable start stop if they detected normal battery (non-EFB) installed.

    • Mechz on 19/03/2023 - 17:35
      +2

      What a terrible outcome…. /s

      That's probably the battery I would go for.

    • JackOfNoTrade on 20/03/2023 - 13:33

      I think the stop start disabling feature only came about in 2019/2020 or so. Don't think the model I have, has that option.

  • Bid Sniper on 19/03/2023 - 20:46
    +1

    https://www.batteryworld.com.au/Q85R-MF-Century-ISS-EFB-batt…

    Century Active 369.00

    • SmiTTy on 19/03/2023 - 20:49
      +1

      I second this

      This is the battery I got for my car that's the Same as u (sub outback 2016). So far no issues

  • Brucet on 19/03/2023 - 22:02
    +1

    Try https://www.everybattery.com.au/
    They have good price some time. good luck

  • Rapt0r on 20/03/2023 - 10:25

    My Century 75D23L MF eventually started leaking around the top cover after a couple years (where the yellow meets the blue cover)

    • JackOfNoTrade on 20/03/2023 - 13:34

      We'll that sucks. How long did it last you?

      • Rapt0r on 20/03/2023 - 15:01

        Bought it April-2019, noticed the leak sometime mid 2022

        • JackOfNoTrade on 20/03/2023 - 19:17

          Whoah! Is that covered Under warranty?

  • Geoff01 on 20/03/2023 - 10:28
    +1

    Can you disable start stop manually. Then you can get a normal battery at half the price. Start stop isn't necessary at all.

    • JackOfNoTrade on 20/03/2023 - 13:34

      I agree. I hate the stop/start feature. But I don't think my model has that option to disable the stop start mode.

  • Tigercjn on 20/03/2023 - 11:35
    +1

    My advice would be to go for a Japanese-made battery if you want it to last, they are built to an exacting standard that matches your car.
    I went through several batteries in my Pajero till finally purchasing a Panasonic, now I have had no troubles for the last 5 years.

  • skillet on 20/03/2023 - 14:48
    +1

    Search on AliExpress for Start Stop Engine Eliminator for Subaru Forester Legacy Outback XV Crosstrek 2015-2022 about $26

    Get someone to install it if you not into DIY

    • skillet on 21/03/2023 - 09:35

      Search this item if the results are not showing

      1005002103968154

  • Irishness on 21/03/2023 - 14:18
    +1

    get it tested somewhere like battery world or an independent for a 2nd opinion. I find it's the dealerships looking to make money when there's little to nothing wrong with the battery. Subaru advised similar I said thanks noted and the start stop battery is still going strong 3 years later, I carry a set of jump leads just in case

  • JackOfNoTrade on 22/03/2023 - 20:25

    Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and comments. Much appreciated. I think I might go with what Malik and Mechz said and just push the OEM on the Subaru as far as it can take me.

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