Battery issues

jeffNB

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I had originally thought the battery used in the the Canadian Civic was a Group 35. It is not. It is a rather oddball group L2 battery which crosses to a BCI Group 47.

Interestingly, all of the aftermarket battery online product catalogues always specify a Group 51 battery for Canadian Civics which is incorrect.

Attached is a photo of the factory battery identification label in a 2016 2.0L Canadian Civic.


Honda Civic 10th gen Battery issues {filename}


Honda Civic 10th gen Battery issues Group L2 Battery.JPG
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TypeSiR

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In the US, you can officially use size 51R; it's just a smaller and lighter battery. The larger/heavier group 47 battery also fits and it's better in colder areas.
 

JT Si

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In the US, you can officially use size 51R; it's just a smaller and lighter battery. The larger/heavier group 47 battery also fits and it's better in colder areas.
In all the US Civics except the Type R, the battery tray, sleeve, and tie down are only sized for group 51R. There is no way to fit a larger battery without a mounting parts swap.

It would be easy to just buy the Type R mounting parts except for some reason a few of the parts are absurdly priced. $60 for the insulation sleeve? $55 for the mounting bracket?
 

TheWalkman

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Has anyone checked to see if the larger battery would fit by simply removing the insulation sleeve?
 

TypeSiR

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In all the US Civics except the Type R, the battery tray, sleeve, and tie down are only sized for group 51R. There is no way to fit a larger battery without a mounting parts swap.

It would be easy to just buy the Type R mounting parts except for some reason a few of the parts are absurdly priced. $60 for the insulation sleeve? $55 for the mounting bracket?
My Type R from Pennsylvania came with a 51R and insulation sleeve. Not sure why Honda cheaped out on some cars. :(

I’ve removed the battery and tray before and I don’t see why a larger battery wouldn’t fit if the insulation is removed. Just make sure the tie down is torqued down properly.
 


ExVTEC

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Is it okay to not have the insulation?
 

TheWalkman

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Is it okay to not have the insulation?
I can't say I've ever owned another car with an, "insulator" in the past. If the bigger, Group 35 or 41 fits, I'll not lose sleep over removing the foam.

Frankly, after seeing this discussion, I assumed the foam was merely a space filler for the smaller battery.
 

JT Si

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I can't say I've ever owned another car with an, "insulator" in the past. If the bigger, Group 35 or 41 fits, I'll not lose sleep over removing the foam.

Frankly, after seeing this discussion, I assumed the foam was merely a space filler for the smaller battery.
If you have a sedan or coupe, it won't. Modification is required to for the XS Power D5100R which is only 1/2 inch wider than the 51R and even then it barely fits. Group 47 and 35 are both over 1.5 inches wider.

It's possible the hatchbacks have the same mount as the Type R which would fit a 47/35.
 
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ExVTEC

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My CTR came with an H5 so after reading this I figured let me see what else might fit.

H6 AGM (Group size 48) installed minus the insulation.
It's tight but fit with just a little wiggling.
Cables fit perfectly with no stretching.

CCA 760/CA 950

Having gone through a dead battery in the middle of winter this is well worth the peace of mind.

Honda Civic 10th gen Battery issues 20191104_132811
 
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darkness975

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I have no idea what kind of battery mine has, but it is whatever came with the car.

Being that it is parked outside in winter and summer I always worry about the battery in my car and I usually have it replaced every 3 years even if it is not showing any signs of having issues.
 

Yoda

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Just replace the battery in our 2016 in the Costco parking lot. Turns out the previous owner never put water in it. The water level was below the tops of the cells. I assumed the dealer would have topped up the battery water as part of the Honda Certified Used Car inspection. I guess not. Just remember to check the water level twice a year if it's the kind with removable caps.
 

Erin Tyres

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Do the Civics have a high parasitic drain?
It looks like none of the above posters mentioned measuring how much current the car draws when everything is turned off. If a good battery is mysteriously going flat, that seems like the most important thing to check. Just disconnect the battery cable and measure the milliamps. There will be some current draw for things like the radios that make Keyless Entry work. But if the current flow is more than the normal value, that car will just kill one battery after another.
 
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JT Si

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It looks like none of the above posters mentioned measuring how much current the car draws when everything is turned off. If a good battery is mysteriously going flat, that seems like the most important thing to check. Just disconnect the battery cable and measure the milliamps. There will be some current draw for things like the radios that make Keyless Entry work. But if the current flow is more than the normal value, that car will just kill one battery after another.
I did measure mine. 14 mA at rest with doors closed, no lights on.
 

SCOPESYS

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Just replace the battery in our 2016 in the Costco parking lot. Turns out the previous owner never put water in it. The water level was below the tops of the cells.
I assumed the dealer would have topped up the battery water as part of the Honda Certified Used Car inspection.
I guess not. Just remember to check the water level twice a year if it's the kind with removable caps.
I assumed the dealer would have topped up the battery water as part of the Honda Certified Used Car inspection. :rofl:

Never "assume" a dealer will do anything unless they can make money on it.
Battery water low -- GREAT !!! "Customer will be buying a new battery soon !!!"
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