2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Battery – The ONLY Guide
If your Honda Civic doesn’t start as quickly as usual, you may want to have the battery checked at a local store or auto parts store. If the test reveals that it needs to be replaced, simply find the correct battery and replace it.
What is the best battery for the 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid?
The 2005 Honda Civic gasoline engine uses the 51R Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery, but Optima batteries are an option. For its electric motor, it has a 144-volt nickel metal hydride battery.
To select the best replacement, there is a lot to learn about belt sizes, battery types, and more. Fortunately, we will help you by exploring all of these topics in detail in this article. Check it out.
Battery Bank Sizes Explained
All vehicles use a specific battery bank size. With this number in hand, you can quickly find a replacement battery that fits the tray and properly powers your car. Getting the correct cluster size also ensures that the battery cables easily reach and connect to the terminals.
The Honda Civic Hybrid uses the Group 51R size battery. Many other trim levels use Group 51 instead. The only difference is the position of the terminals. In the R frame, the positive and negative terminals are reversed.
All 51R batteries have similar dimensions and exterior specifications. They are typically 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. They also have at least 400 cold cranking amps and a 47 amp-hour capacity. Its reserve capacity should be around 75 minutes.
Hybrid batteries It does not have a group size. Instead, you purchase them based on their type and voltage rating. Never deviate from the manufacturer’s recommendations, or you could damage the electric motor.
Lead-acid, lithium-ion, or SLI?
From the factory, the 2005 Civic Hybrid comes with an OEM absorbent fiberglass battery. You shouldn’t use a flooded battery instead, although they are probably much cheaper. However, you can get an Optima battery if you want.
Since the hybrid version uses idle-stop technology, the AGM battery is a must. It is more capable of producing enough power and handling the fast charging demands that this high-tech system requires. Beyond that, these batteries are resistant to temperature and vibration.
You don’t even need to repair AGM batteries as they are completely sealed. No more recharging the battery with water or cleaning the terminals as they are corrosion-resistant.
OEM vs Aftermarket: What’s the Difference?
While rolling around dealer lots, the 2005 Civic Hybrid featured an OEM Honda battery. While the car was under warranty, they asked you to get the same original replacement battery from Honda if the original one died.
After that, you can switch to a replacement battery of your choice without worries. By doing this, you would be giving up Honda’s incredible 100-month battery warranty. This warranty also comes with unmatched three-year full replacement coverage that you simply can’t get with the aftermarket.
Instead, aftermarket batteries typically have a warranty of up to 30 months. If it fails during this time, the retailer will prorate the price of the battery based on its total age. You can then use the prorated amount to get a discount on your replacement or just get a partial refund.
Beyond the warranty, OEM and aftermarket batteries are virtually the same. You just have to make sure you get the Group size correct to make sure you have enough power to start and run your car.
Want a spare battery instead? This is what we suggest
OEM Honda batteries provide up to eight years of peace of mind, but all of that certainly comes at a cost. The high price may seem prohibitive, leading you to search for a suitable aftermarket alternative.
Fortunately, you have many interesting options between brands:
- ACDelco
- duralast
- Duracell®
- Between States
- great start
To find the best for your car, simply choose a brand you trust and then look at the specifications. The battery should have at least 400 cold-cranking amps, although more is better.
Also, look at the capacity to verify that it is greater than 47 amp-hours. An extra capacity of around 75 minutes is also fine.
When comparing specifications, remember to think about the retailer’s reputation. With Honda, you know they will honor their warranty, so you should find another well-known retailer to do the same. This way you can avoid the stress and simply process your transaction without any hassle.
Photos: Honda