What Battery Does a Rav4 Take?
The Toyota RAV4 is a very versatile compact crossover SUV and as a result, it sees a lot of different use. Regardless of how it is used or maintained, the consumable items on it- tires, brakes, oil and even the battery, will eventually have to be changed. So when it comes time to change the battery, do you know what size and type to choose? The direct-fit replacement battery for the 1996-2017 RAV4 is a Group 35 OPTIMA battery, but we offer the Group 35 in both a REDTOP and a YELLOWTOP variant, so which one should you choose?
If your RAV4 is basically your daily driver and you haven't modified it in any way, a Group 35 REDTOP is a great option, that can last up to three times as long as a typical flooded lead-acid battery, which is probably what your RAV4 has right now. If you've modified your RAV4 from an electrical standpoint, with aftermarket accessories, like a car alarm, bigger stereo system, auxiliary lighting or other accessories that may place more of a strain on the battery and the electrical system, then the Group 35 YELLOWTOP is a better choice. Even if your RAV4 is stock, but you like to listen to the radio for long periods of time with the engine off, you're probably better of going with the YELLOWTOP which is designed for both deep-cycle use and starting your engine.
Starting in the 2018 model year, the DS46B24R YELLOWTOP became an option on some models. That battery is lighter than the group 35 batteries, but also offers less cranking power and reserve capacity. It's possible your RAV4 battery tray may be designed specifically for that battery and if that's the case, that's the battery you should use.
Changes came again in the 2019 model year, with either the DH5 or DH6 YELLOWTOP being the direct-fit upgrade options for most RAV4s. Why did this happen so quickly? Because cars have become increasingly demanding from an electrical standpoint. The engines haven't gotten any bigger and in some cases, they've gotten smaller, but electrical demands have still soared, especially with the introduction of features like start/stop technology, integrated car alarm systems and driver assist features, just to name a few.
Now you're looking at 64Ah or 72Ah of capacity for either the DH5 or DH6 YELLOWTOPs respectively, compared to just 48Ah for the Group 35 YELLOWTOP that fit the older RAV4s. That's a 33% increase in weight over the Group 35 batteries and all that comes down to more reserve capacity to help cover that electrical demand. The RAV4 Primes may be limited to the DH5 YELLOWTOP, but other RAV4s may have their choice between the two.
Starting in the 2018 model year, the DS46B24R YELLOWTOP became an option on some models. That battery is lighter than the group 35 batteries, but also offers less cranking power and reserve capacity. It's possible your RAV4 battery tray may be designed specifically for that battery and if that's the case, that's the battery you should use.
Changes came again in the 2019 model year, with either the DH5 or DH6 YELLOWTOP being the direct-fit upgrade options for most RAV4s. Why did this happen so quickly? Because cars have become increasingly demanding from an electrical standpoint. The engines haven't gotten any bigger and in some cases, they've gotten smaller, but electrical demands have still soared, especially with the introduction of features like start/stop technology, integrated car alarm systems and driver assist features, just to name a few.
Now you're looking at 64Ah or 72Ah of capacity for either the DH5 or DH6 YELLOWTOPs respectively, compared to just 48Ah for the Group 35 YELLOWTOP that fit the older RAV4s. That's a 33% increase in weight over the Group 35 batteries and all that comes down to more reserve capacity to help cover that electrical demand. The RAV4 Primes may be limited to the DH5 YELLOWTOP, but other RAV4s may have their choice between the two.
Regardless of which battery you choose, maintaining proper voltage (~12.6-12.8V for REDTOPs and ~13.0-13.2V for YELLOWTOPs) whenever possible will maximize battery performance and lifespan. If you don't have a battery charger to top your battery off periodically, now is a great time to buy an OPTIMA 1200 series charger.
Not only can it charge all OPTIMA 12-volt batteries, but it can also charge other AGM and flooded lead-acid batteries with one-touch functionality- you don't need to figure out any specific amperage or voltage settings on the 1200 series charger, you just plug it in, connect it to your battery and choose the picture that best matches your battery. As an added bonus, if you buy the 1200 Series Charger from us at the same time that you buy your OPTIMA battery from us, we'll extend the three-year free replacement warranty on your battery by an additional year!
Not only can it charge all OPTIMA 12-volt batteries, but it can also charge other AGM and flooded lead-acid batteries with one-touch functionality- you don't need to figure out any specific amperage or voltage settings on the 1200 series charger, you just plug it in, connect it to your battery and choose the picture that best matches your battery. As an added bonus, if you buy the 1200 Series Charger from us at the same time that you buy your OPTIMA battery from us, we'll extend the three-year free replacement warranty on your battery by an additional year!
