2012 hyundai sonata hybrid 12v battery replacement

My 2012 Sonata Hybrid is going on 6 years old (purchased Jan 2012) Can you believe im still using the original 12v battery!
The heat down here in South FLorida is hard on batteries and I always get a new one after 4 years. Now that my OEM battery is nearing 6 years old I knew I had to replace it or risk getting stuck. ( the car still starts instantly, im curious how long the original battery would last if I kept it)

Side note: I discovered the reason the 12v battery lasted as long as it does. It doesnt actually start the car. The 12v only turns on the cars computer and runs the accessories when in ACC MODE.
The 270v hybrid battery actually starts the car.
Anyways, after a lot of searching on the intern-webzzz and this forum, the best I could find are "similar" batteries or a battery that needed a modified battery box to hold it stable.
I did a lot of searching at auto parts stores and again, few would show as "THIS FITS YOUR CAR" and the couple that did were $200+
No way im going to pay Hyundai $329 for a battery! YES! They want $329 for an OEM 12v battery! INSANITY!
I kept searching then discovered ADVANCE AUTO PARTS has one that says it will fit , is vented and its only $155.
Took a chance and ordered it and it not only fits , its the identical battery to my OEM battery in every way and even made in South Korea. ( the same 600CCA too)
Battery was only $155, and FREE SHIPPING! I found a code RETMENOT20 which saved me another $31 ! The core charge was $22 which I think you can get some core money back by returning to an auto parts store (im keeping mine to run a livewell pump) So even with tax and core charge I only paid $157 right to my door! O yeah, I recieved the battery 2 days after I ordered it! THANK YOU ADVANCE AUTO!

Here is the link. Im attaching a photo showing the battery installed. It even has the hole to attach the VENT HOSE!

Listed on website as AUTOCRAFT GOLD BATTERY-GOLD ATOCF

[//shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...utm_campaign=confirmation&utm_content=general

This is why I join these groups, knowledge. Even $155 is a bit high, but way cheaper, and YOU can do it without leaving at the $tealer for a day.

What is the plug on top of the hold down bracket ?

No one carries them in stock, it seems.

Great information, Skunk! I'm getting ready to replace my 2011 battery also, so your timing is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

Is that an AGM battery or is a AGM battery required ? I can't find any stats on that battery.

This is why I join these groups, knowledge. Even $155 is a bit high, but way cheaper, and YOU can do it without leaving at the $tealer for a day.

What is the plug on top of the hold down bracket ?

No one carries them in stock, it seems.

I think that plug on top of the battery is an external ambient temperature sensor, according to diagrams I have seen. I guess it monitors the battery or trunk temperature but not sure honestly.

This is what is says on the dropdown on their site, which looks promising:

Fitment Notes
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
OE Exact Fit; Non-BCI group size.; DIN/EN Size; Battery is vented to outside of vehicle.; Premium Battery Recommended - this vehicle is identified as having high electrical loads by a leading researcher; OE Spec: OE Group H6R; OE CCA 600; Battery Spec: 600 CCA

Great information, Skunk! I'm getting ready to replace my 2011 battery also, so your timing is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

If you order at Advance Auto, this is another code to get 20% off if you wish:
SCA1510.

I am still holding off because my battery still continues to check out fine for now. I had a friend with an original battery in his CRV that was over 10 years old and still working fine.

As an automaker, you'd purposely have to seriously make an effort to spec a battery that isn't available anywhere.

And, to make it worse, it has its +- on the opposite sides of an H6 battery, hence the H6R part number. DIN/EN aren't too common in the USA since we typically use BCI "GROUP" sizes. Corporate/purchasing genius got a bonu$ for that proprietary battery PN recommendation!

Its an AGM battery and if it isn't engaging an engine starter multiple times a day, it'll probably last a long long time as long as you don't run it dead.

This is when you take a tape measure, take some L/W/H dimensions and use ANY other available AGM that fits.

Awesome! Make it a sticky!

After thinking about it a while, I figured I would purchase this battery as it seems Skunk Ape has found the perfect battery for less than half the price. With 25% off and tax included, it came out to $150.28, but if I bring the core back I get $22 more back. My son uses the car daily now, commuting to school and work, and with winter approaching I figured I will just bite the bullet now instead of wait for a call during a snowstorm that the battery finally died. The only thing is that the OEM battery is still perfect as far as testing and real world operation goes, but it's been 77 months with it so I figured it's time. I ordered it 2 days ago and it arrived this afternoon all wrapped up in plastic, with a small amount of fluid on top and some spilled in the box, but nothing substantial at all. I guess UPS must have had it sideways a bit during shipping, as there was no notice or sticker stating to keep it upright on the box. I'm trickle charging it now while waiting for my son to arrive home so I could install it either tonight or tomorrow. I will try to get some pics comparing the 2 before installing it.

I just installed the new battery, and as Skunk has promised, it is identical in all dimensions and visually as well. I took some pictures along the way and the install took maybe 15 minutes. The biggest pain is resetting the time, radio channels, and the other settings on the head unit. All in all, I think it is a smart investment and thanks again to the Skunk.

After thinking about it a while, I figured I would purchase this battery as it seems Skunk Ape has found the perfect battery for less than half the price. With 25% off and tax included, it came out to $150.28, but if I bring the core back I get $22 more back. My son uses the car daily now, commuting to school and work, and with winter approaching I figured I will just bite the bullet now instead of wait for a call during a snowstorm that the battery finally died. The only thing is that the OEM battery is still perfect as far as testing and real world operation goes, but it's been 77 months with it so I figured it's time. I ordered it 2 days ago and it arrived this afternoon all wrapped up in plastic, with a small amount of fluid on top and some spilled in the box, but nothing substantial at all. I guess UPS must have had it sideways a bit during shipping, as there was no notice or sticker stating to keep it upright on the box. I'm trickle charging it now while waiting for my son to arrive home so I could install it either tonight or tomorrow. I will try to get some pics comparing the 2 before installing it.

My thinking exactly. My battery also arrived yesterday with same spilled liquid. I'll be installing it tomorrow.

Good info here!!! I might need to replace my battery soon. I have a lot of electronics plugged into an inverter and have found that it doesn't take much to drain the battery to a point where the car doesn't start. I need to remember to turn the inverter off at the end of the day. I didn't know the dealer is that proud of their battery!

I just checked the old battery after it sat for 2 days and it does test a bit low but not so bad, but overall I think it was a good time to change it.

Funny but I just went to Advance Auto to get my core charge back and the girl at the counter thought I was returning the brand new battery for a refund because it looked new to her. I explained it was just the core return. Then the gentleman next to her also told me that the battery looked new and asked if it was trunk mounted. I told him yes and it was in a Sonata hybrid for 6-1/2 years and it still is fine now but with winter coming I figured it was time. So with the discount, core, and tax included, it cost me around $127 out the door. Not bad considering some people were getting clobbered at the dealership for over $400!
Thanks again Skunkman for the heads up.

So with the discount, core, and tax included, it cost me around $127 out the door.

I did the battery swap yesterday. 15 minutes was spot on. Thanks, Skunk. The battery is a perfect match and like Vinny, I dropped off the old battery today for the core charge refund. $127 is much better than $400. My old battery was weak, but not dead yet, but with winter coming, and Skunk's find, now seemed like a good time to swap.

Thank you guys for all the valuable information shared here, I?ve order a battery for my car as well after seeing your positive feedback about your recent experience, I?ve paid $ 142.36 in total and can?t wait for the battery to arrive as the current battery is dead and I?ve been using booster cables to jump start my car during the last few days, I?ve decided not to do this anymore as this might affect the electrical system in the vehicle, so I parked it waiting for the new battery to use it again!

I?ve stopped at the dealership today and they confirmed that the battery price is $320 plus labor fees of $20 the total will be $340, they offered to wave the labor fees and I was like really!! At least try to show to your customers some real discount !!

While I?m there I asked if the 12 V battery is to start the car engine or only used for computer and accessories, they confirmed that it is starting the vehicle.

Will keep you posted once I receive and install the battery.

While I?m there I asked if the 12 V battery is to start the car engine or only used for computer and accessories, they confirmed that it is starting the vehicle.

On the contrary, the 12v doesn't start the engine. It's done by a Hybrid Starter-Generator, which is powered by 370V or whatever is the hybrid system voltage. This HSG also recharges the HV battery.

As witnessed here:
//www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/t...uides/kia/sonata-erg--yfhev101-rev0.pdf?la=en

Also, this:

Why are the batteries 350 bucks at the dealer? That is crazy. I had to ask whether that was the hybrid battery or the little battery in the trunk. Now I have conflicting information on the battery and whether it starts the car. Thought I could trust the dealership...

Regardless thanks for all the information. A 2011 just now changing the battery is amazing!

I have a 2013 and they are telling me that the battery is bad. I thought well it has been 4yrs and a typical battery lasts 4-5yr. How do I test? Just attach it to a voltmeter or is it supposed to be under load?

Winter is coming and my wife and kids use the car primarily so don't want to leave them stranded.

Thanks!