Looking for battery replacement recommendations and group confirmation

[Sublimer677]

Hello community!
I did a quick search and didn't see anything specific to the 2. We are moving back to Arizona and I think I'm set on a flooded replacement, based on price compared to AGM and that those have cons as well. I would like to know if anyone can confirm that group 35 fits the 2011 Mazda2 without any modification, or if I should just find a slightly more rarely stocked 26R? In addition, using ChatGPT, I narrowed it down for the excessive heat in the desert to DieHard Gold, Interstate MTR, or NAPA legend. There's a COSTCO about 1.5hrs from me with interstate but they only have a 35, no 26R for $123. My other option is buying either a DieHard or NAPA locally, or paying more for a shop to order me an interstate 26R. What do you all recommend?

 

[Mazdiod2]

35 and 26R are very close .... is the 35 smaller?

AGM is the way to go to beat the heat.

 

[TheMAN]

Group 35 is bigger, and is a listed optional upgrade per Mazda

Get the group 35 for more capacity and more cranking amps... just go to a sams club and get a "duracell" battery, which is a rebadged deka battery, fully made in USA by east penn.... way better than the interstate junk or many other brands out there who are made by clarios, which always had quality issues and they leak, besides the fact that most of them come from mexico for many years lol

 

[Sublimer677]

Group 35 is bigger, and is a listed optional upgrade per Mazda

Get the group 35 for more capacity and more cranking amps... just go to a sams club and get a "duracell" battery, which is a rebadged deka battery, fully made in USA by east penn.... way better than the interstate junk or many other brands out there who are made by clarios, which always had quality issues and they leak, besides the fact that most of them come from mexico for many years lol

I will order the Duracell 35 for pickup tomorrow, however will need to remove the current battery for core exchange and install on site. I hope it fits perfectly, can anyone confirm?

 

[TheMAN]

You will if you don't want to pay the core charge. You can however bring the old one back in afterwards and they will refund you

 

[Sublimer677]

You will if you don't want to pay the core charge. You can however bring the old one back in afterwards and they will refund you

I pre cleaned my terminals today and am bringing tools to remove the old one while I wait for the new. It does look like there is a plastic insert that accommodates the smaller 26r so I’m optimistic the 35 will fit right in with it removed. Sam’s club rep told me just to confirm they will remove the $20 fee I paid online for pickup when I turn in the old battery. Thanks all!

 

[Sublimer677]

Group 35 is bigger, and is a listed optional upgrade per Mazda

Get the group 35 for more capacity and more cranking amps... just go to a sams club and get a "duracell" battery, which is a rebadged deka battery, fully made in USA by east penn.... way better than the interstate junk or many other brands out there who are made by clarios, which always had quality issues and they leak, besides the fact that most of them come from mexico for many years lol

Went with the Duracell 35 as suggested, little plastic insert removed and square insulator didn’t fit so trashed them. Bolted right in perfectly and had to walk the old battery into the auto center. Thanks y’all!

 

[TheMAN]

what "square insulator"? the plastic sleeve that goes around the battery? I'd keep it, even if you have to force it in, with the ends bowed out a little... it protects the battery from heat, and if it blows (unlikely), it will also protect the engine bay from damage... mazda put it there for a reason, and if it wasn't needed, they would've saved the $1 it takes to make it like they've done to cheap out in many other parts of the car

I'd kept them in all my cars, and on my protege, it became useful to match up with the middle east battery cooling duct

of course, most people don't think of anything about these and trash them long time ago because american batteries usually have the flared ends to fit the handle onto them and makes these sleeves not fit right... if that bothers you, just cut it off like I did... doesn't hurt the battery lol