[Muskoka800]

The weather cleared up this morning and I was able to take a look at mine ('23 Limited, 2.5L engine). There is no obvious branding on the battery, but there is a sticker that says "Sold by Subaru of America."

View attachment 326334

The battery is a Q-85 and says it is "for stop & start" so I assume it is more capable than what is installed in non stop/start model cars. It also says 20 hour, 62 Ah and 620 CCA for electrical characteristics, which is somewhat beefier than some of the ones described previously in this thread.

Hope that helps.

This pictured battery is identical to that in my recently purchased Canadian 2021 Limited, less the white Subaru USA sticker but including the Japanese Stop/Start label and yellow 620 CCA rating label. It’s working fine this winter however I will replace/upgrade it the summer, likely with a much stronger, top-rated Odyssey.

 

[kr_xv]

The weather cleared up this morning and I was able to take a look at mine ('23 Limited, 2.5L engine). There is no obvious branding on the battery, but there is a sticker that says "Sold by Subaru of America."

View attachment 326334

The battery is a Q-85 and says it is "for stop & start" so I assume it is more capable than what is installed in non stop/start model cars. It also says 20 hour, 62 Ah and 620 CCA for electrical characteristics, which is somewhat beefier than some of the ones described previously in this thread.

Hope that helps.

the best q85 in my place is Rated at 660 cca, it is made by clarios and sold on many labels like varta and delkor. I have just changed again since the old one is weak and impacting the fuel economy.

 

[General Martok]

Skip the line. Get an AGM battery.

 

[Greyfox]

Skip the line. Get an AGM battery.

While AGM have there place, the charging systems on some new vehicles (smart charging) will not charge an AGM any better. In fact, you may get worse battery performance. I do not know if the new CT has a way to indicate/input which type battery has been installed?

I know for at least newer Nissans, there is no way add the AGM, unless you disconnect/de-pin the smart alternator sensor.
Fords technicians, can go in to their system (Forscan), and change the type of battery in the ECM/DCM to have the smart alternator adapt properly.
Again, not sure what the new CT allows or if it recognizes the AGM all together??

 

[Nutjob1]

From '24 service manual;

No mention of replacing batteries and registering or other methods to recognize whatever battery type replaces the oem battery. Remove and replace.

 

[General Martok]

The AGM battery I put in my 2024 CTW seems fine. I read consistent power output if I have my Spod on.

 

[Greyfox]

From '24 service manual;
View attachment 326414

No mention of replacing batteries and registering or other methods to recognize whatever battery type replaces the oem battery. Remove and replace.

I am ASSUMING the SM also 'recommends' an OEM battery as a replacement...which means a regular wet battery?? Again, not an expert, but know of many many many people who have the same thought process of 'upgrading' to an AGM, only to find out the not-so-smart charging parameters of the vehicle, do not match or can be changed to an AGM type battery. This is one reason why folks disconnect/bypass the smart charging system. AGM require a different way of charging than a wet cell.

Again, I do not know if replacing with an AGM in our 24 and newer CTs would be 'automatically' recognized, need that info put in somewhere, or just shouldn't be done??

I am not saying you cannot or shouldn't put an AGM. I am simply stating to verify that the charging system is set up to charge your more expensive AGM battery correctly. Otherwise, IMO, you are just spending more to end up with the same results with a regular battery.

This is yet ANOTHER strike against the not-so-smart charging system IMO. Years ago, you could put whatever would fit in your ride, and be off with no problem. Now more B.S. hurdles to jump just to change out a simple battery what joke!!

 

[General Martok]

Automatically recognized as I figure it would have told me in the last year...

 

[Greyfox]

Automatically recognized as I figure it would have told me in the last year...

Not necessarily. Most folks assume the AGM is fine, until about a year, when it goes bad.
Your best bet is to verify with the Subaru parts desk and see if THEY offer an AGM for the CT. And if so, ask them if anything needs 'updating' in the vehicle prior to installation? You know they would be more than happy to sell an AGM, so if it is possible, they will tell you
Again, just my two cents before opting to change to an AGM.

EDIT: I'm all for anyone going AGM ... just make sure the damn charging system is set up to handle charging it properly is all.

 

[General Martok]

Well, I had the dealership put it in just in case there would be issues. Zero.

 

[Greyfox]

Well, I had the dealership put it in just in case there would be issues. Zero.

Sounds good. So this tells me installing an AGM IS possible.
However, it doesn't answer the question for those DIY "IF" any configuring is needed to accept the AGM, or if its just a drop and play?? This then would be the $64,000 question???

Thanks for letting us know @General Martok

 

[Nutjob1]

I am ASSUMING the SM also 'recommends' an OEM battery as a replacement...which means a regular wet battery?? Again, not an expert, but know of many many many people who have the same thought process of 'upgrading' to an AGM, only to find out the not-so-smart charging parameters of the vehicle, do not match or can be changed to an AGM type battery. This is one reason why folks disconnect/bypass the smart charging system. AGM require a different way of charging than a wet cell.

Again, I do not know if replacing with an AGM in our 24 and newer CTs would be 'automatically' recognized, need that info put in somewhere, or just shouldn't be done??

I am not saying you cannot or shouldn't put an AGM. I am simply stating to verify that the charging system is set up to charge your more expensive AGM battery correctly. Otherwise, IMO, you are just spending more to end up with the same results with a regular battery.

This is yet ANOTHER strike against the not-so-smart charging system IMO. Years ago, you could put whatever would fit in your ride, and be off with no problem. Now more B.S. hurdles to jump just to change out a simple battery what joke!!

Service manuals simply state "......replace battery."

 

[Greyfox]

Service manuals simply state "......replace battery."

...and i get that
This then leads one to believe an OEM battery since that is what you SHOULD be replacing ALL your parts with...OEM

So @General Martok just confirmed he had the dealer install and AGM battery. Now we need to find out if this is just a drop and play, or if something else needs to be done to recognize from a wet to AGM battery??

 

[Nutjob1]

...and i get that
This then leads one to believe an OEM battery since that is what you SHOULD be replacing ALL your parts with...OEM

So @General Martok just confirmed he had the dealer install and AGM battery. Now we need to find out if this is just a drop and play, or if something else needs to be done to recognize from a wet to AGM battery??

As I stated previously, our '24s do not need 'pairing', recognizing or whatever dealer or repair shop services to tell the ecm a wet cell, AGM, enhanced flooded battery, sealed maintenance free is replacing the oem one. Perhaps another conspiracy theory is born out of idle speculation.

 

[Greyfox]

So, I just called my local Subaru dealer's parts department and asked about installing an AGM in our 24 CTW. He stated that model will not support an AGM, only wet batteries!!

So now I'm curious as to if the Wilderness line has something different, which most likely does not, the parts counter guy was incorrect, or what???

So I'm asking others here to contact their local dealers/parts departments and ask them if THEY know if an AGM battery CAN/SHOULD be installed in the 24 and newer CT?? I would be curious as to the results Something is not right here

 

[Greyfox]

As I stated previously, our '24s do not need 'pairing', recognizing or whatever dealer or repair shop services to tell the ecm a wet cell, AGM, enhanced flooded battery, sealed maintenance free is replacing the oem one. Perhaps another conspiracy theory is born out of idle speculation.

Based on what documentation then? I would like documentation/proof.
See my recent post #35 then. My dealer's parts department stated our 24 CTW will NOT support an AGM battery. So either he is ill advised (which is possible), or something is amiss?? I'm sure others here would like a straight answer as well.

Can an AGM be installed? If so, do you need to do anything else for it to charge correctly using the smart charging system if you are installing the battery yourself?

 

[ferret]

I can't find the reference right now, but I remember reading Subarus with 'SMART' charging begin a new map whenever the battery is disconnected. From what I remember also, this doesn't matter if it's a EFB or AGM.

I also remember at one of the battery sites which referenced CHARGING a fully sealed battery. These include AGM, EFB etc. Batteries considered LOW or NO maintenance ARE vented to the air if only thru a SMALL vent.

This leads to 2 anomalies ... EFB and AGM (sealed) batteries should not build up any residue on the battery terminals since there should be NO gaseous venting. Second, FAST CHARGING of AGM or EFB (sealed) batteries can be dangerous as there may not be enough internal space for acidic action and cause internal pressure and heat.

Feel free anyone to add to this discussion as I see it's OFF THE RAILS from the original posters request.

 

[ferret]

BTW, here's a post where an AGM battery was installed in a Wilderness. It IS an LN2 or Group 47 battery as is called for.

https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/my-wilderness-mods.187997/?post_id=2186770#post-2186770

 

[Greyfox]

BTW, here's a post where an AGM battery was installed in a Wilderness. It IS an LN2 or Group 47 battery as is called for.

https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/my-wilderness-mods.187997/?post_id=2186770#post-2186770

I appreciate the AGM info , but this does not answer whether the vehicle can support an AGM on it's own. Sure the battery will fit and run for a while (usually a year), because it is not supported like the wet batteries.

As far as the new map, I do believe it is just a restart for the reminders to check the battery?? But I'm not 100% sure either.

 

[Montanan]

This is a topic that's been brutally beaten to death here in the past. As someone who was forced to read all of the back and forth, I can confirm that an AGM battery will work in all of our Crosstreks, but the car's charging system will not optimize for it ... which means to me that it's not going to be worth the premium cost. That said, the inefficiency isn't such that an AGM in a Crosstrek is going to conk out in a year.