2010 Mazda3 GTE battery died - need a replacement

[andy_w89]

Have not driven my Mazda3 GTE for last 10 days. Today is minus 10 degrees celsius and my battery is dead. Quite disappointed that the OEM Panasonic battery has not even made it to the 4 year mark (car originally bought in April 2009). Anyway, I suspect all the additional electronics in the GTE probably drains more electricity than usual. I am going to try charging it overnight to see if I can get it back to life if just for a few more weeks.

I took a look at the dimensions of the OEM Panasonic battery and they were approximately: 9" (L) x 6 3/4" (W) x 7 3/4" (H). Pretty snug fit overall.

In reading all the threads about replacement batteries, it seems that group 35 or 24F is what is recommended.

However, I am concerned that the stated dimensions may not fit my GTE.

Group...... L............ W............ H
24F...... 10 3/4"....... 6 13/16"...... 9"
35........ 9 1/16"..... 6 7/8"...... 8 7/8"

Length and width should be fine for both groups but looks like height too short and will need some kind of riser.

Would appreciate advice from anyone who has changed their batteries on a 2010+ Mazda3 recently.

[andy_w89]

Sorry, should have said replacement batteries will be too tall.

[S.F.W.]

Many after market batteries come with risers. I know the Optima's do for certain, and I suspect many others as well.

[loki]

Send Mr Wilson a pm. He's got an optima battery for sale

[Jackal]

I installed the Yellow Top Optima on my 2010 GT. You want to get the 35 for a good fit. No problems at all with it.
If you are planning to install this yourself, here are a couple of tips.

The battery comes with a cover (riser) which should be placed under the battery so that it's the same height as the OEM one.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/7919059716_54e64ec10e.jpg

There is a bar that keeps the battery in place. The second arrow below shows where the yellow cover (riser) should be.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/7919060420_e0017fe85c.jpg

[Booter22]

mind you the battery i would suspect is at least 4 years old. if the car was purchased in april 09. the battery and car in fact im sure was built a few months before hand. if the battery is from dec 08/jan 09 ( depending on the build date) it would be over 4 years old. you sure you cant put it on a charger and save it? i know if i let my car sit for 3-5 days its a rough start. thankfully i do a decent drive to and from work. but i would try to put it on a low amp charge and see if you can save it. if you do. just dont let the car go for 10 days with out running / driving it.

[andy_w89]

mind you the battery i would suspect is at least 4 years old. if the car was purchased in april 09. the battery and car in fact im sure was built a few months before hand. if the battery is from dec 08/jan 09 ( depending on the build date) it would be over 4 years old. you sure you cant put it on a charger and save it? i know if i let my car sit for 3-5 days its a rough start. thankfully i do a decent drive to and from work. but i would try to put it on a low amp charge and see if you can save it. if you do. just dont let the car go for 10 days with out running / driving it.

Booter, thanks for the solid advice. I borrowed a battery charger and put the battery overnight on a 2amp charge; this did the trick. Has been starting without a problem since. As a result, I have been doing some research into battery chargers and picked up a CTEK 3300 charger on sale at Canadian Tire. Regular price $90, got it for $40. See link: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryChargers/PRD~0111522P/CTEK+Multi-use+3300+3.3A+Battery+Charger.jsp?locale=en

[TheMAN]

group 35 or 24F fits in your car, trust me... those are in the official mazda battery replacement chart
you want to use the 24F as it is the biggest size possible

but I'm glad the battery is working again.... keep it charged and it should last you a few more years

[SonicBoy]

The CTEK 3300 is a great charger and I've used it to revive several batteries as well as keep a van on trickle charge over the winter. It's one of the safiest chargers out there and this charger is branded as OEM by Mercedes and Audi.

Great price on sale for $40.

I purchased the pigtail that you can hard wire in and leave the dongle out that makes it easy to connect/disconnect.

[js593]

I got an Exide PM-78DT-850

850CCA, no starting issues in -35.

About 130$ though, so your gonna pay. 5 year free replacement. I don't know what part number they use outside of Piston Ring though. Fits like a glove.

[GSXi]

what coincidence.

my 2010 Mazda 3 GS also died this long weekend (left undriven for 2 days). needed a boost to get it going.

bad batch of batteries? all my previous car batteries last a good 6-7+ years.

[Booter22]

what coincidence.

my 2010 Mazda 3 GS also died this long weekend (left undriven for 2 days). needed a boost to get it going.

bad batch of batteries? all my previous car batteries last a good 6-7+ years.

i think its just a mazda thing. i dont know if its the electronics in the car. but they dont like to sit. i would do what i advised before. get it on a low amp charge and get it tested afterwords. see if you can save it.

[sudz]

Even if you can "save" it, if its not holding a charge for 2 days, it'll be harder on your alternator/charging system to keep it going.

Booter, Will probably be seeing you in the next few days - Fiance's Mazda5 has a dead alternator... and an older battery that only holds a charge for a few days...

[McGuyver_3]

Ive left my car sitting for about 4-5 days and she started no problem knock on wood. Mind you I have a glass matt battery in the car since after the day I picked it up.

[r4mi5awi]

Revival!

Need info on optima battery size for 2012 3. Which one will allow you to reuse the stock battery cover? D35 or D34? Anybody know?

[Jackal]

Revival!

Need info on optima battery size for 2012 3. Which one will allow you to reuse the stock battery cover? D35 or D34? Anybody know?

d35

[r4mi5awi]

d35

Nice! Thanks for the quick reply bud!

[Jackal]

Nice! Thanks for the quick reply bud!

The second arrow below shows where the yellow riser should be.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/7919060420_e0017fe85c.jpg

[r4mi5awi]

Got my yellow top today. What a sexy battery!!

Hopefully it'll take care of my weak electrical issues...

Update: so far headlights aren't dimming or pulsating when I hit the brakes.

[r4mi5awi]

Update: Calling dealership tomorrow. Optima battery only alleviated my issues. Most likely alternator is going out so warranty replacement should handle that.

Still keeping my optima though :p