HELP - 2012 Honda Civic LX - Car Battery Dead

Apr 23rd, 2020 11:09 am

#1

NateTO3 [OP]: Member; Mar 25, 2013; 257 posts; 46 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 11:09 am

HELP - 2012 Honda Civic LX - Car Battery Dead

Hi all, I need some help. My 2012 Honda Civic LX (1.8L) car battery is pretty much dead. Can someone kindly suggest what battery I need to buy as a replacement? Not very familar with car batteries. Any stores you would recommened? Costco / Canadian Tire?
Is it easy to install myself? Not sure how COVID will impact things. Also, don't need the best battery just something that works at a reasonable cost.

From my research I found: Energizer 51R AGM Battery from Costco for $200 but not sure if its compatible?

Really appreciate your help! Thanks and stay safe!

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Apr 23rd, 2020 11:15 am

#2

fordmaple: Sr. Member; Nov 6, 2014; 748 posts; 1142 upvotes; Woodbridge, ON

Apr 23rd, 2020 11:15 am

AGM is top of the line. Just goto walmart. Should be $125ish.

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:06 pm

#3

Electrah: Deal Addict; Jun 18, 2018; 1333 posts; 831 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:06 pm

Car battery dead as in it won't hold its charge? Because you know you can call someone to give you a boost...

But if you need to replace, one from Costco/Walmart will do. Not sure about compatibility though.

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:18 pm

#4

KorruptioN: Deal Guru; Sep 3, 2003; 12273 posts; 693 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:18 pm

NateTO3 wrote: ↑ Also, don't need the best battery just something that works at a reasonable cost.

I would suggest skipping the AGM-type battery then. 51R seems to be the correct size. Wal-Mart and Costco should have them in stock.

Deal with it.

+1

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:23 pm

#5

Nfsryder: Sr. Member; Sep 19, 2013; 842 posts; 580 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 23rd, 2020 12:23 pm

OEM Honda battery 31500-SR1-100M can be had from Toronto Honda for $120

+1

Apr 23rd, 2020 1:13 pm

#6

NateTO3 [OP]: Member; Mar 25, 2013; 257 posts; 46 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 1:13 pm

Electrah wrote: ↑ Car battery dead as in it won't hold its charge? Because you know you can call someone to give you a boost...

But if you need to replace, one from Costco/Walmart will do. Not sure about compatibility though.

I gave it a boost, but it seems to be a re-occuring problem. Seeing a decline in battery performance and has been the 2nd time it has died on me in the past month. I could tell it was weak when starting up the car.

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:02 pm

#7

plznote: Jr. Member; Jan 20, 2013; 174 posts; 268 upvotes; Cold Lake

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:02 pm

It's very easy to DIY, you just need a 10/12mm wrench.

+1

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:28 pm

#8

TimeRunz: Jr. Member; Mar 7, 2011; 116 posts; 100 upvotes; Ontario

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:28 pm

51R seems to be the right size. When I changed my own in the past, mainly just looked at the warranty and CCA rating (battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures, the higher the better). For your situation and car's age, I'd go for a non-AGM one like others are saying.

I've used a non-AGM one from Canadian Tire for 4 years without problems. Coincidentally the tutorial video is of a Civic: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 05185.html

Also, once you change the battery, bring the old one back to the store and they will refund you the $20 core charge.

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:31 pm

#9

EasyCompany251: Deal Addict; Nov 21, 2014; 1500 posts; 1932 upvotes; Atlantic

Apr 23rd, 2020 2:31 pm

car-batteries-faq-general-information-t ... s-2161758/

51R is the right size.

Don't get an AGM. Overpriced and it likely won't last that much longer than a flooded battery to justify the cost. Also needs a higher voltage for charge, something your alternator may or may not be capable of providing.

Make sure your alternator is good/working properly.

+1

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:04 pm

#10

sunnykw2305: Member; Dec 4, 2017; 319 posts; 286 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:04 pm

Just bought one last week at Costco in Ontario, $105 for fitment code 11 which is 51R. 100 months warranty, can't go wrong. Costco only charged $10 refundable core fee.

10 mins battery swap using 10mm socket wrench. You will need your radio code to unlock the radio afterwards.

+1

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:23 pm

#11

Messerschmitt: Banned; Jul 17, 2008; 11042 posts; 3841 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:23 pm

Your battery is 8 years old? Nice

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:23 pm

#12

divx: Deal Expert; Oct 26, 2003; 35042 posts; 4288 upvotes; Winnipeg

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:23 pm

fordmaple wrote: ↑ AGM is top of the line. Just goto walmart. Should be $125ish.

Costco also have the standard battery, it is really available everywhere. 60 month warranty appears to be standard.

Beware of Aliexpress and Mi Store

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:45 pm

#13

Hugh Jass: Deal Guru; Mar 8, 2002; 12384 posts; 3607 upvotes; GTA

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:45 pm

+1 for Costco

Do yourself a favour and bring the dead battery with you, so you can avoid the core ( recycling) charge. Not sure if you may have to pay it at the cashier first and then get refunded.

One of the easiest DIY jobs on a car that you can do. Make sure to clean the clamps with a wire brush or steel wool before attaching back.

_______________

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:58 pm

#14

dentonic88: Member; Apr 25, 2019; 270 posts; 113 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 3:58 pm

NateTO3 wrote: ↑ Hi all, I need some help. My 2012 Honda Civic LX (1.8L) car battery is pretty much dead. Can someone kindly suggest what battery I need to buy as a replacement? Not very familar with car batteries. Any stores you would recommened? Costco / Canadian Tire?
Is it easy to install myself? Not sure how COVID will impact things. Also, don't need the best battery just something that works at a reasonable cost.

From my research I found: Energizer 51R AGM Battery from Costco for $200 but not sure if its compatible?

Really appreciate your help! Thanks and stay safe!

Watch this before you make a purchase

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:08 pm

#15

eldiablo: Deal Expert; Feb 24, 2007; 15064 posts; 2645 upvotes

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:08 pm

Depending on what type of a battery you decide to buy (AGM vs. lead-acid) consider also investing in a trickle charger. There are many threads here regarding this subject.

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:43 pm

#16

Webhead: Deal Fanatic; Sep 7, 2004; 6046 posts; 2379 upvotes; West GTEH!

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:43 pm

Another vote for Costco Kirkland battery.
I've purchased my last 3 batteries from Costco. They've all lasted 5-7 years. And Costco will honour the warranty on a pro-rated basis.
There's a book near the battery shelf that identifies the battery size for your Civic.

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:53 pm

#17

craftsman: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2006; 16486 posts; 9282 upvotes; Vancouver, BC

Apr 23rd, 2020 4:53 pm

NateTO3 wrote: ↑ I gave it a boost, but it seems to be a re-occuring problem. Seeing a decline in battery performance and has been the 2nd time it has died on me in the past month. I could tell it was weak when starting up the car.

Unless you charge the battery up with an external charger (ie not running the car for an hour and hoping the car will fully charge a dead battery because it won't), the battery will continue to be low and you see exactly what you are seeing.

Using an external car battery charger, charge the battery fully (ie will take several hours), then get the battery tested.

Apr 23rd, 2020 5:24 pm

#18

Cheapo-Findo: Deal Guru; Mar 9, 2007; 13859 posts; 8909 upvotes; Think of the Childre…

Apr 23rd, 2020 5:24 pm

Costco, yeah it's worth it to buy the membership just for the battery.

WOULD SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

Apr 23rd, 2020 5:30 pm

#19

Nfsryder: Sr. Member; Sep 19, 2013; 842 posts; 580 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 23rd, 2020 5:30 pm

Costco Kirkland batteries are great but from my experience the Costcos in Markham and Richmond Hill never carry 51 or 51R for whatever reason