[JC WHITNEY]

I also own a 2016 Honda HRV. Original battery died within 2 years. I had AAA roadside assistance replace my battery with one of theirs. That one lasted almost 3 years. Called AAA to see what the problem was only to find out they had sold and installed the wrong battery for my car. Turns out they don’t carry the appropriate battery for 2016 HRV. Luckily my money was refunded. I still need a new battery though.

There were 3 years of those inferior batteries. Honda switched to another manufacturer in 2019. They implemented a program to replace the bad batteries with a 10 year/100,000 miles unit.
However, there is a total cost of $120.00. It's actually a good deal if you're keeping your car.
My wife's 2018 did it, but it was in the garage fortunately.
These newer cars have a number of computers in them, but they help to keep you safe and sometimes your surroundings as well. These computers work together and are always on. Just think of things that are waiting for your remote or things that happen after you get out-even anti-theft systems.

 

[CalgaryHRV]

There were 3 years of those inferior batteries. Honda switched to another manufacturer in 2019. They implemented a program to replace the bad batteries with a 10 year/100,000 miles unit.
However, there is a total cost of $120.00. It's actually a good deal if you're keeping your car.
My wife's 2018 did it, but it was in the garage fortunately.
These newer cars have a number of computers in them, but they help to keep you safe and sometimes your surroundings as well. These computers work together and are always on. Just think of things that are waiting for your remote or things that happen after you get out-even anti-theft systems.

You've posted about this "super" Honda battery with a 10 year warranty several times.
In another post, you mentioned that you did not install this Honda "super" battery in your HRV but went with a pretty basic Duracell battery.

Do you have any more info about this Honda "super" battery? A link with more info?

The only "super" battery that I can recall mentioned in this forum was a 51R Lithium Ion battery for US$400.
The poster did not end up purchasing and installing that pricey battery.

 

[JC WHITNEY]

You've posted about this "super" Honda battery with a 10 year warranty several times.
In another post, you mentioned that you did not install this Honda "super" battery in your HRV but went with a pretty basic Duracell battery.

Do you have any more info about this Honda "super" battery? A link with more info?

The only "super" battery that I can recall mentioned in this forum was a 51R Lithium Ion battery for US$400.
The poster did not end up purchasing and installing that pricey battery.

I bought the Duracell because we needed the car ASAP.
East Penn Manufacturing is the source of several top quality batteries including Honda's super batteries and Duracell. The quality lies with the purity of the lead and plates engineed for each application. They succeeded Johnson Controls in providing a quality battery for automotive use.

 

[spacewrangler]

Duracell is Consumer Reports highest rated 51R.

 

[CalgaryHRV]

I bought the Duracell because we needed the car ASAP.
East Penn Manufacturing is the source of several top quality batteries including Honda's super batteries and Duracell. The quality lies with the purity of the lead and plates engineed for each application. They succeeded Johnson Controls in providing a quality battery for automotive use.

You didn't actually answer my question about this Honda "super" battery.
There are tons of failing Honda branded batteries on this forum with the owner going to the dealer with no one else mentioning this Honda "super" battery offer from their dealer.

Our Honda battery, manufactured May 2019, died after a year and half.

Duracell is Consumer Reports highest rated 51R.

Duracell does not manufacture automotive batteries, they only put their label on East Penn batteries.

A bit of research showed that Duracell only offers a low end East Penn 500CCA flooded lead acid battery with only a 2 year warranty in the HRV 51R size.
A Wal-mart East Penn or Deka 51R battery with a 3 year warranty, or a Costco/Kirkland East Penn or Deka 51R battery with a 4 year warranty would be a better choice.

HR-V Battery Problem

I don't think that battery is a good option. The Costco Kirkland 51R flooded lead acid battery is 500CCA, Cad$109, 4 year replacement warranty. That Costco Energizer AGM 51R battery is 435CCA, Cad$199, 5 year replacement warranty. 500CCA is already inadequate capacity. That little...

www.hrvforum.com

 

[JC WHITNEY]

Duracell is Consumer Reports highest rated 51R.

Pay a little more for a Delco or Duralast, or even a Decca. You'll still be OK

 

[JC WHITNEY]

I failed to mention to the voltage ⚡ watchers that that there are 2 basic alternator tests to check for leakage and ripple current:
Using a test light, check the output diode to see if there is current flowing to it (B+ disconnected from alternator only) Connect light between output lug and cable. BE CAREFUL Light on means leakage. The other test is with a simple voltmeter. While engine is running, check to see if you get any A/C voltage reading. If you do, you have a bad diode in the alternator. In both cases replace it.
One scenario kills the battery when parked, and the other kills charging capacity.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

I unfortunately allowed my battery to run flat....

On New Year's Day....

20 miles from home!

Fortunately I have a Honda Extended Warranty and Honda Breakdown arrived within 25 minutes. On New Year's Day!

Anyway, first thing he said was in his experience you're lucky to get 4 years out of an AGM or EFB battery. Possibly 5 tops. My battery is pushing 6.

He further stated that there was really only 3 major players who make those batteries and as long you buy one of theirs you should be fine for another 4 or 5 years.

He was initially fairly dismissive of my battery as it was reading below 60 on his battery testing equipment. However, he was impressed when he got a reading of 75 and advised me to hold off replacing it and wait to hear what they suggest at the next service in February.

So it would appear that battery issues are not solely a Honda problem.

 

[suparoo]

I unfortunately allowed my battery to run flat....

On New Year's Day....

20 miles from home!

Fortunately I have a Honda Extended Warranty and Honda Breakdown arrived within 25 minutes. On New Year's Day!

Anyway, first thing he said was in his experience you're lucky to get 4 years out of an AGM or EFB battery. Possibly 5 tops. My battery is pushing 6.

He further stated that there was really only 3 major players who make those batteries and as long you buy one of theirs you should be fine for another 4 or 5 years.

He was initially fairly dismissive of my battery as it was reading below 60 on his battery testing equipment. However, he was impressed when he got a reading of 75 and advised me to hold off replacing it and wait to hear what they suggest at the next service in February.

So it would appear that battery issues are not solely a Honda problem.

I had an Optima Red Top battery in my 2003 XS Subaru Forester for 9 years before it showed any sign of weakening.
I have to admit that since I first bought the battery, Johnson Controls Inc. has moved their plant to Mexico. Other past owners of Optima batteries have reported that the quality has dropped considerably, enough to make them buy other brands instead.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

I think a lot of people when comparing battery life from previously owned vehicles are failing to take into account the amount of technology that even the most basic car carries.

I got 7 years out of the battery of my 2003 Honda Civic before I sold it in 2010, and although it was the top of the range SE Executive, it had nowhere near the technology that my current HR-V has:. PDC, EPB, Traffic Sign Recognition, Emergency City Brake, Lane Departure Warning, TPMS, Folding Wing Mirrors, Global Window Opening and Closing, Internet Radio with GPS (negat satnav) to name a few.

Five years was about the average lifespan for a Skoda Octavia battery before owners started experiencing issues, and seems to be about the norm for the HR-V. I appear to have dipped in by getting 6 (and maybe more) out of mine, so I can't really complain. But will as it's my nature!

Is it possible that we are currently at the zenith of car battery capability, and have to accept that fact until some new technology comes along to replace it?

 

[JC WHITNEY]

I think a lot of people when comparing battery life from previously owned vehicles are failing to take into account the amount of technology that even the most basic car carries.

I got 7 years out of the battery of my 2003 Honda Civic before I sold it in 2010, and although it was the top of the range SE Executive, it had nowhere near the technology that my current HR-V has:. PDC, EPB, Traffic Sign Recognition, Emergency City Brake, Lane Departure Warning, TPMS, Folding Wing Mirrors, Global Window Opening and Closing, Internet Radio with GPS (negat satnav) to name a few.

Five years was about the average lifespan for a Skoda Octavia battery before owners started experiencing issues, and seems to be about the norm for the HR-V. I appear to have dipped in by getting 6 (and maybe more) out of mine, so I can't really complain. But will as it's my nature!

Is it possible that we are currently at the zenith of car battery capability, and have to accept that fact until some new technology comes along to replace it?

It's already here, but not implemented. Induction charging like your wireless phone charger. No cord or plug necessary and works for gasoline or electric car. Simply hidden in your parking place just below the surface.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

There have been (small scale) experiments with induction charging in the actual road, and the vehicle is charged as you drive. Have not seen any results or heard anything further on this, so either it failed or they are keeping it on the QT for the big reveal!

A quick update on my battery, today I had a fairly long drive down to Dumfries and Galloway around 140 miles round trip and on the final few streets to my home address my Stop/Start kicked in for the first time since around October.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

Sooooooo....

Today was a Dear Diary Moment for my HR-V after the battery died this afternoon. Didn't bother contacting breakdown, and have just completed an online booking for a battery to be fitted at my home tomorrow. £151 all in, which is £12 cheaper than Honda. Battery specs are as follows;

Halfords EFB013 Start/Stop EFB 12V Car Battery 5 Year Guarantee

The Halfords EFB013 Start/Stop EFB 12V Car Battery 5 Year Guarantee comes fully charged and ready to fit, and allows up to 270,000 engine starts for use with start/stop function.


Most vehicles require this battery to be registered with the on-board computer system. Therefore, a professional fitting at a Halfords store, autocentre garage, or through our Mobile Fitting Service is strongly recommended.

Features & Benefits:

• Capacity: 65Ah
• Bench Charge: 4Amps
• Dimensions (LxDxH): 243x175x190mm
• Startup Power: 600Amps (CCA)
• Weight: 16.6kg

Guarantee Information:

• 5 year guarante

It will be interesting to see if the Auto Idle Stop kicks in, and if so, for how long!

🤞

 

[CalgaryHRV]

So your UK 2016 HRV has a 1.5L naturally aspirated gas engine with engine start/stop.
I'm surprised as North American 2016-2022 HRV's do not have start/stop technology.
I'm not a fan of engine start/stop technology, but that is a different discussion!

That UK battery is interesting. I had to google EFB, haven't heard that term before.
It stands for Enhanced Flooded Battery, ie. enhanced flooded lead acid battery.
EFB batteries are designed for start/stop vehicles. Quicker charge times.
I can't find any detailed technical information about EFB batteries, so it may be a meaningless marketing term.
Not sure how a flooded lead acid battery can be made to take a charge quicker.

I don't see any mention of group size on Halford's website. Perhaps battery group sizing standards are not used in Europe?

What is interesting on that Halford battery is the stated physical size.

• Dimensions (LxDxH): 243x175x190mm (9.6"L x 6.9"W x 7.5"H)

As many of us have found, there is no easy way to install a battery wider than 6.0" in a North American 2016-2022 HRV.


Can you measure the width of your current HRV battery?

Just curious if the European/UK HRV's have a different battery mounting hardware and shelf than the North American HRV's.
There may be a factory solution to installing a larger battery in a North American HRV.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

I have a vague recollection of reading somewhere that Stop/Start was made compulsory in all new vehicles from 2014, but happy to be proven wrong. I personally do not mind it, I used to switch off the engine in my previous car when in ahem stop start traffic or at traffic lights, but, soon stopped as it was buggering up my dash cam footage. There is also an incentive to have S/S fitted to your vehicle as Vehicle Excise Duty is calculated by CO2 emissions and having S/S fitted can move you down a few groups. This is the tax banding for vehicles registered between 2001 - 2017

Petrol car (TC48) and diesel car (TC49)

Band and CO2 emission	Single 12 month payment	Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit	Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit	Single 6 month payment	Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit
A: Up to 100g/km	£0	£0	N/A	N/A	N/A
B: 101 to 110g/km	£20	£20	£21	N/A	N/A
C: 111 to 120g/km	£30	£30	£31.50	N/A	N/A
D: 121 to 130g/km	£130	£130	£136.50	£71.50	£68.25
E: 131 to 140g/km	£155	£155	£162.75	£85.25	£81.38
F: 141 to 150g/km	£170	£170	£178.50	£93.50	£89.25
G: 151 to 165g/km	£210	£210	£220.50	£115.50	£110.25
H: 166 to 175g/km	£250	£250	£262.50	£137.50	£131.25
I: 176 to 185g/km	£275	£275	£288.75	£151.25	£144.38
J: 186 to 200g/km	£315	£315	£330.75	£173.25	£165.38
K*: 201 to 225g/km	£340	£340	£357	£187	£178.50
L: 226 to 255g/km	£585	£585	£614.25	£321.75	£307.13
M: Over 255g/km	£600	£600	£630	£330	£315

My HR-V emits 134g/km and is in Band E (£155). Most of the HR-V's competitors are below 120g/km and are Tax Band C (£30), so quite a bit of a saving. I cannot really complain as my previous vehicle cost me over £250.

I was unable to measure the OEM Honda battery as it was replaced before I read your post, however, all the batteries I found online for the HR-V were only 1 or 2mm out on your quoted measurements. I don't have any images of my HR-V's engine bay, however, the following image is similar to its layout. The battery is located below the '70 Pictures' image.

Never heard of battery group sizing before, however, it would appear both Bosch and Varta refer to their batteries which fit my HR-V as 027, as do a few other manufacturers though they do not mention 027 in their description.

Anyhoo, to round off, battery was replaced within 10 minutes and engine fired up straight away without any issues nor any lights on the dash. And I have the added bonus that this battery carries a 5 Year Warranty compared to Honda's 3 yrears!

 

[suparoo]

I have a vague recollection of reading somewhere that Stop/Start was made compulsory in all new vehicles from 2014, but happy to be proven wrong.

Maybe in your neck of the woods and Europe, but my MY2021 is just good keyless ignition. Here in Australia where our traffic is nowhere near that of the UK's densely populated areas and the same for the USA, I don't see any real advantage, much like Honda's Eco mode, TFU!

 

[JC WHITNEY]

So your UK 2016 HRV has a 1.5L naturally aspirated gas engine with engine start/stop.
I'm surprised as North American 2016-2022 HRV's do not have start/stop technology.
I'm not a fan of engine start/stop technology, but that is a different discussion!

That UK battery is interesting. I had to google EFB, haven't heard that term before.
It stands for Enhanced Flooded Battery, ie. enhanced flooded lead acid battery.
EFB batteries are designed for start/stop vehicles. Quicker charge times.
I can't find any detailed technical information about EFB batteries, so it may be a meaningless marketing term.
Not sure how a flooded lead acid battery can be made to take a charge quicker.

I don't see any mention of group size on Halford's website. Perhaps battery group sizing standards are not used in Europe?

What is interesting on that Halford battery is the stated physical size.

• Dimensions (LxDxH): 243x175x190mm (9.6"L x 6.9"W x 7.5"H)

As many of us have found, there is no easy way to install a battery wider than 6.0" in a North American 2016-2022 HRV.


Can you measure the width of your current HRV battery?

Just curious if the European/UK HRV's have a different battery mounting hardware and shelf than the North American HRV's.
There may be a factory solution to installing a larger battery in a North American HRV.

Electrolyte flooded is vs gel mat. Gel mat must be charged at a slower rate even though they are both lead/acid.
A start - stop application would be a battery would be with more and thinner plates for high amps in a short time, but also a shorter full charge time. The high amps would be helpful in a full accessory demand such as being stopped in bad weather at night.

 

[Hadleys Taxi]

Maybe in your neck of the woods and Europe, but my MY2021 is just good keyless ignition. Here in Australia where our traffic is nowhere near that of the UK's densely populated areas and the same for the USA, I don't see any real advantage, much like Honda's Eco mode, TFU!

I think the Eco button was a sop to appease certain markets; EU and California. On the plus side,not only do Honda give you the option to switch it off, but that it also stays off. How annoying is it to keep hitting the the head unit acknowledgement box every time you start the car!

Stop Start is really no biggie, you either use it or you don't, and personally, I have never had an occasion where I have been caught out by it when it has activated.

You never know, there may be an occasion for you to venture out into the big wide wonders of a city where you will be able to make the most of the 5ml of petrol that your Stop Start system has just saved you!

 

[CalgaryHRV]

There was an electronically knowledgeable UK member who posted about numerous battery issues with his UK HRV.
He was data logging his HRV charging voltage and his HRV also had the variable charging strategy as North American HRV's.
However he never mentioned the capacity (CCA's) of his HRV battery nor if his HRV had the start/stop feature.

Start/stop technology has caused more issues that it has solved in North America.
1st, starter failure was common so the auto manufacturers had to install upgraded starters.
Then the small batteries were dying so the auto manufacturers had to go AGM batteries with greater capacity.
Then the manufacturers had to install a start/stop OFF button on the dash so folks could disable it.

The start/stop function in Hadley's UK HRV would explain why Honda installed a larger capacity battery (600 CCA) in his UK HRV than a North American HRV (500CCA).
The North American HRV's do not have the start/stop feature.

 

[Ein]

I think the Eco button was a sop to appease certain markets; EU and California.

It is just a gimmick. most new cars have the eco mode just not a dedicated button for it. Some set Econ to default but have a Power button.