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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    NY Upper Catskill Region
    Posts
    62

    Default Recommendations for a replacement Battery

    I've had a couple of recent instances of needing a jump start. One was my mistake (leaving the key on to charge my damned phone) the other was today. 19 degrees out and a couple of short trips left me stranded at Office Max.

    Bottom line is that when searching for a vented replacement battery, I'm no longer finding anything but really expensive AGM batteries that don't seem to have venting options.

    Can anyone tell me what the go to battery for an '04 XC70 might be.

    My apologies if this has been covered recently, but my attempts at searches here and on the net haven't turned up anything conclusive.
    Last edited by Gene-M; 01-20-2020 at 03:33 PM.
    2004 Volvo XC70 83k
    1994 MX-5 Miata M-Edition 35k
    2003 Ford E-150 Econoline 110k

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    I bought my last battery at the Volvo dealer. Previous Volvo battery had lasted 12 years. That's pretty good. And you know it's vented, correctly sized, and decently made.
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Belgium
    Posts
    2,404

    Default

    The OEM battery is indeed a good choice.
    When we traded in our 13 year old MY2004 2.5T, the original battery was still healthy.
    It was the biggest that would fit, I believe 84Ah (standard fitted in the diesel models).
    144 GL (1974)--->244 GL (1982)--->940 GLE 2.3i (1992)--->XC70 2.5T (2004)--->XC90 T5 (2018)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    GA
    Posts
    1,420

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Astro14 View Post
    I bought my last battery at the Volvo dealer.
    In my part of the country Interstate battery sells batteries to the local dealers (they put volvo stickers on in the parking lot during delivery) then sell the same batteries with interstate stickers to my shop.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    NY Upper Catskill Region
    Posts
    62

    Default

    Thanks for the responses guys. I'm tossed between AGM and Lead Acid at the moment, but leaning towards AGM. My current battery is lead acid, so it's really nothing special. I'm confused about size. The guy at Advance Auto seems to think that the H8 is too big for my car. I suppose I'll have to just take a tape measure to see exactly what they have that will fit under my cover. I noticed too (thanks to an internet search) that the Walmart EverStart battery is rated very highly. I don't know if they have AGM in my size though. I may have to call them.

    I'll keep you guys posted. My current battery is on charge now (finally) so I'll have to see if it will take a full charge before making a final decision.
    2004 Volvo XC70 83k
    1994 MX-5 Miata M-Edition 35k
    2003 Ford E-150 Econoline 110k

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    NY Upper Catskill Region
    Posts
    62

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AKAMick View Post
    Both my US XC's are fitted with H8 batteries, as fitted in EU diesel models, the box can accommodate them. They are not listed for the XC as the diesel was never imported to the USA, but the battery box is sized to accept the H8 battery, I have lived on both sides of the pond i have had both EU and US models,
    Does that mean that the triangular floor bracket will grab the foot of the battery correctly when it's in the position closest to the spare tire? That's my main concern at this point. I'd rather have the cold cranking power of the H8
    2004 Volvo XC70 83k
    1994 MX-5 Miata M-Edition 35k
    2003 Ford E-150 Econoline 110k

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Virginia Beach
    Posts
    4,116

    Default

    While I've only ever used the factory H6 size, you can see a second fitting in the floor for the battery hold-down that corresponds to the larger H8. It will physically fit in the space and it will bolt up properly.
    Current Fleet:
    2016 Tundra Crewmax 4WD 1794
    2005 MB S600 (126K, Michelin AS4, HPL 0W40)
    2005 MB SL600 (55K Michelin AS4, Mobil 1 0W40)
    2004 V70R (143K, six speed M66, HPL 5W40)
    2004 XC90 (235K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-XC (295K, HPL 0W30 Euro)
    2002 V70-T5 (225K, IPD bars, Bilsteins)
    2001 V70-T5 (125K, IPD downpipe, cat back and other mods)
    1932 Packard Sedan (straight 8, dual sidemounts, original paint and interior, Shell Rotella 15W40)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    NY Upper Catskill Region
    Posts
    62

    Default

    Thanks for chiming in y'all! Over the course of the last few days, many people have sung the praises of the H8 vs the H6, but this is the first affirmation I gotten about the use of the floor hold-down. Thanks again.
    2004 Volvo XC70 83k
    1994 MX-5 Miata M-Edition 35k
    2003 Ford E-150 Econoline 110k

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    NY Upper Catskill Region
    Posts
    62

    Default

    For the record, I pulled the trigger on the Advance AutoCraft Platinum AGM battery in the H8 size. I was able to get it online for pickup at the store, and by doing it that way I saved close to $50. Strangely, the list price of $199 (before tax and all the other hidden add-ons) was the same at the weaker H6 battery. It has a 3 year replacement warranty, and two years pro rated after that.

    The install went well; I was careful to do it right so the computer didn't throw 20 different codes. The H8 bolted in perfectly using the second hole on the floor mount, and though it was a very close fit to get the plastic cover over it, it did actually fit almost perfectly- even if a little tight to the spare (just the cover).

    It will be nice to have all that extra cranking power, even though there is a bit of a weight penalty for that heavier size.

    Thanks for the help and opinions guys. Hope this thread will be useful to anyone else searching the topic.
    2004 Volvo XC70 83k
    1994 MX-5 Miata M-Edition 35k
    2003 Ford E-150 Econoline 110k

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    233

    Default

    I used an H8 AGM from AC Delco. It was... $173 I think. Well worth having the extra cranking amps.

    It fits in the factory spot as the Diesel versions came with it. If you can't find it, ask for an XC90 V8 battery.

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