GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello! Well, I think my battery's about had it. I was doing a little research and it looks like the 1.8 models got the 35 series battery and the 2.4s got a 24F. The 24F series has an additional 200+ CCA depending on the brand. They're usually a tad cheaper too! Does anybody know the difference between the two? Can I upgrade without swapping out battery hardware?

Looks like the 24F is approximately 4lbs heavier and 1 inch longer. The terminals appear to have the same arrangement.

Why would you want a slightly larger battery?

The 24 series battery has significantly better specs for only being an inch longer.

gtv237 wrote:The 24 series battery has significantly better specs for only being an inch longer.

Better how? What do you think you'll gain from this?

24Fs seem to have more reserve and CCA than 35s, although either should be enough for a Vibe.

If it were me, I'd pick the 24F over the 35 because it's cheaper. But if you buy one and it doesn't fit I won't give you a refund

If you do go 24F, go for an AGM battery.

I bought an AGM 24F for my wife's Highlander from Advanced in December- coupon code available to get $50 off online and free install at store pick-up (just remember to buy Permatex Battery Protector for $1.49). Great starts in single digits this winter, so far...

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/auto ... rm=agm+24f

If there's one near you, it should cost less than $150 after discount. Coupon code "WD58" for $50 off of $100 purchase online, through 2/28/15.

Just be sure to double check the dimensions.

The OEM spec for CCA is 580. The Group 35 is 640 CCA with 100 minutes reserve. (NOT AGM, so give or take, depending on brand/model). The AGM above is 710 CCA w/ 145 minutes reserve.

As Joatmon says, has longer reserve. That's what I'd choose, after meeting OEM CCA requirements.

I'm in the same boat. Why not gain from the extra CCA's the 24F gives you over the 35. It's been so brutally cold here and although my 35 equipped Vibe has started every morning in -25c it barely turns over. I would also like to know if we need to get battery hardware from a 2.4L like a new batter tray and holder to install the 24F?

Can anyone also comment on the larger reserve putting more strain on the base alternator? I remember reading that putting a larger battery requires the alternator to work harder to top up a larger reserve.

FWIW, we have Optima 35 series Red Top batteries in both our 2009 Vibe GTs. Optima recommended the 35 series for 2009-2010 2.4L Vibes and looking at their website again just now, I see they also recommend the 35 series for 2009-2010 1.8L Vibes. I distinctly remember the Red Tops being significantly smaller than the OEM batteries.

My 2010 1.8 was manufactured in may of 2009. Still has OEM battery. Last Thanksgiving it started to start, then stalled. Turned over very slowly, would not start. Being Thanksgiving, late at night and cold, had relative drive me to Walmart. Grabbed a 35N Everstart maxx. It had a green sticker on it that said 11/14, figured it was fresh. Put it in that evening and it turned over very slowly too. Would not start right away, Held down accelerator for a bit, then tried restarting, and finally it started. Maybe it was a little flooded?

Next morning, put old battery on charger for a couple hours untill it was fully charged. Took out new battery to charge, replacing it with old battery temporarily. New battery needed charging, pulling about 6 or 7 amps on 15 amp setting and three hours of charge before it was around 13.12 volts and no amps drawing. Reinstalled new battery, turned over and started car much better, but then got curious about life left in old battery. took new battery out, reinstalled old battery. It is still in the Vibe! Been driving around with new battery in trunk, charging to top it off every couple weeks.

The new battery will charge up even better now, getting to 13.22-13.25 volts right off of charger, settling down and holding 12.8-12.9 volts for over two weeks. Old battery is around 12.5 volts and probably pulls charging system more. It is about time to put new battery in and go get my $12.00 core charge soon!

Not sure why they say to replace the OEM battery that is a 24f with a 35. I sometimes wonder if I made the right decision. Heck, if I were home when I had the issue, I would of pulled out the charger and not bought another battery yet anyway! It is amazing that weak OEM battery is still kicking. I have only got this kind of life out of motorcycle batteries that I take out in winter and bring inside, periodically maintenance charging throughout winter.

My dealer put a 24R battery into my Vibe 5 years and 3 months ago when the OEM failed after only a month. It has been doing just fine ever since.

Caretaker wrote:My dealer put a 24R battery into my Vibe 5 years and 3 months ago when the OEM failed after only a month. It has been doing just fine ever since.

Thanks for the confirmation. I was going to do the experiment myself but now my vibe is starting fine. I think it was just the below-zero temps making it hard to start. When I do end up replacing the battery I will definitely throw a group 24 in and post the results.

This car must be really easy on batteries if keeping everything stock. Easy to turn over, no big draws. That OEM Johnson Controls battery is really low in cca's, but seems to do the job.

Caretaker wrote:My dealer put a 24R battery into my Vibe 5 years and 3 months ago when the OEM failed after only a month. It has been doing just fine ever since.

Do you remember if any other mods were done to accommodate the slightly bigger 24F such as a new batter tray and holder or did it just fit straight in?

no, it just plopped right into place; however, as I recall, it is sitting on all four edges of the base instead of in the base. I'll take a look at it later once the weather warms above 5 degrees.

Yep, just checked under the hood. I have a 35 series Costco/Kirkland battery which (of course) fits perfectly in the tray. My old 24 series that the dealer put in in 2009 seems to have lasted only 2 years because I have a March 2011 sticker on the Kirkland battery. So this is my third battery in just over 6 years of ownership. Sorry for not being able to fully confirm, but I do remember the 24 series fitting in there, but handing off the ends of the tray.