Rx450h 12v Battery Type - Gel Cell?

[lho]

Hi,

Lexus main line dealer has checked the car under warranty and advises a new 12v Battery is required. Quoted me £257 so I checked usual on-line providers, e.g. eurocarparts etc and quotes come back as £70-£90. The back to dealer and am advised that a 'Gel Cell' type Battery is required with hybrids as could invalidate the warranty for the main batteries...Found what I think is a Gel Battery (Elite TE030) for £92.

Can anyone confirm or challenge this Gel Cell requirement? Feels a little underhand to me..

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[ColinBarber]

This is a safety issue because the Battery is located in the boot, which is essentially the cabin of a hatchback/SUV. If the vehicle was in an accident and rolled a normal battery's acid may leak out and come into contact with people inside. A gel cell, or an AGM, Battery won't leak acid.

Most of these types of batteries are also deep cycle batteries, so don't prematurely fail if they go flat on a few occasions. This is one reason why the 450h doesn't suffer the flat Battery issue that the old 400h does.

[lho]

Thanks for that. Some difficulty finding a Gel type Battery, can anyone recommend a retailer for this type of Battery?

Comments much appreciated.