OPTIMA High Performance D34 YellowTop AGM Battery

I tried to install this battery in a 2017 Subaru Outback. The terminals are quite far from the edge on this battery, so the 90° positive terminal does not fit. Also, I received the 34/78 model (seller mistake) and with this model the battery clamp does not fit because of the front terminals.

If anyone is interested, I was able to install a group 34 AGM battery from Motomaster. The only modification needed was minor: I had to increase the length of the battery liner by 1″.

Purchased 3: September of 2020

I’ve bought two of these for my 2015 Equinox LT (Mothers vehicle) & 2012 Chevy Malibu LS (personal vehicle), and one as a spare. Despite the amount of horrible reviews on this page, I researched it this is basically one of if not the best battery. Now while I don’t plan to fully utilize it’s capabilities (maybe I’ll add running AUXILIARY lights), I wanted it because of its impeccable qualities (Cold cranking, long life, not lead acid, amp draw).
I do believe it’s worth it for the price, BUT if you need to do alterations on your vehicle consider getting help. (I did it myself and as an Engineer it wasn’t to hard just not alot of work room).

Totally worth the money. 💯💯👍👍

NOTE:
– The manufacturer was correct and that alot of vehicles won’t work for this.
(both my chevys technically aren’t compatible, and my Outback didn’t have a battery bracket (so I got a battery reloacter and modified it))
– Reguardless of cold/Heat car will always start
– If you forget to turn off the headlights or Interior light, the battery won’t be dead the following day.
– If your alternator fails on the road (I.E. Battery light), you can drive for several miles with no problem (when I was in this situation, I had driven 30miles in traffic to get home & the car was fine.)
– If you aren’t sure if this will fit. Autozone carries Optima Now, so ask a clerk there if you can test fit the battery.

(Vehicle photos have been provided)

Rather: [2012 Chevy Malibu LS]
I had to straightened out the termial connectors to make them fit, thank goodness the factory lines have enough slack.
(As of February 08, 2023 the Malibu is still running)
(I have since sold this car, loved it to peices)

Rather: [2015 Chevy Equinox LT]
This one was the most challenging, since the factory lines are backwards (meaning when you rotate the battery 180 degrees to have the right orientation ( “↕️↕️ not ↗️↖️” ) the male leads are 4 inchs too far from the female connectors). I had to cut the original heads off the lines and extend them by 6ins so I’d have plenty of slack. That job took me 5hrs to do and it tuned out near flawless. The only issues is that the bracket that secures the battery is now 1.5ins higher then the original postion and when you place everything back together. The hood closes, but there is a slight 3cm gap at the driverside lamp (maybe I’ll correct this later, not a big deal).
(As of February 23, 2023 Equinox is still running)

Rather: [2008 Subaru Outback]
Fits nearly perfectly, but if your car doesn’t have battery terminal covers. I would suggest getting some, so that the hood/bonnet doesn’t ground the terminals out.
(As of February 23, 2023 Outback is still running)

Overall, this battery has been reliable and it seems I got a decent one, even though I’ve killed this battery multiple times over the years by draining it by accident, letting it sit too long without starting and maintaining, or other ordinary situations. I probably need to replace it by now, but as long as I keep an eye on the battery being charged between starts, it continues to function.
I didn’t know 5 years ago that there was any issue with these batteries being made in Mexico and of lesser quality control, but mine is one of those and has been working great compared to conventional lead acid batteries. 5 years ago I paid almost 100 dollars less than the current price, so I’m not so sure I’d buy another one at these prices, and I’d explore other reliable AGM options first. However, I got a very well performing D34 yellow top to start a 40 year old Jeep that was never a daily driver, and although Amazon says it won’t fit my vehicle, it fits an AMC FSJ perfectly.

Whenever I had the chance to keep the battery on a maintainer/charger for a week or two between starts, I did. Over 5 years that 15 or so year old charger didn’t seem as effective so I recently got a new smart charger that has an AGM Mode to see how much more life this Optima battery still has in it. I have my doubts that it’s holding its original charge that it had when it was new, so I’ll have to check it but as long as it isn’t drained it still starts the 360 V8 in cold winter below 30 degrees. The old truck definitely seems to slowly discharge the battery when it sits, so maintenance is a must.
I’ve brought this battery back from an almost completely dead state a few times using a slow recharge, so I’ve been satisfied with the resilience of the battery design and the extra deep cycle cranking amps. An ordinary battery would have been wrecked and maybe would need some expert regeneration techniques just to perform like this one has without having to take it out of the engine bay.
If I could get another one that works like this one did for the same price it was 5 years ago, I would.