If you’re looking for a 2012 Dodge Journey battery, the bad news is that OEM parts get harder to find the older a car gets. The good news is that most 2012 Dodge Journeys use basically the same battery, so they’re not incredibly rare.
What’s the best battery for a 2012 Dodge Journey?
A group size 86 525CCA AGM. For best results you’ll want an Original Equipment Manufacturer battery, but if you’re buying aftermarket, just make sure it matches those specs. You can also use a flooded SLI battery if need be, as long as it’s group size 86 and 525CCA.
You’ll want to check your owner’s manual and the battery itself to make sure. Across trim levels and options, you can’t always bet on every unit having the exact same battery. But this covers the vast majority of 2012 Dodge Journeys. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s a Battery Group Size?
You may be wondering why batteries are listed under “group sizes” instead of their physical dimensions. It basically comes down to compatibility.
If a US-made Dodge uses a Japanese-made battery, what Dodge calls one inch, the battery maker is going to call 25.4mm. So we have the BCI, or Battery Council International. These standards ensure that we’re all calling a 2012 Journey battery a “group size 86.”
For reference, a group size 86 measures 9 1/16 x 6 13/16 x 8 inches in length, width, and height.
What’s an AGM?
AGM stands for absorbed glass mat. This is a type of battery introduced as a safer, more durable alternative to conventional lead acid batteries. An AGM uses a fiberglass mat to absorb electrolytes rather than liquid tanks.
The great thing about an AGM battery is that it’s spill-proof. You can store it upside down, on its side, under your seat — it won’t leak.
For best results, you want an AGM battery in your 2012 Journey, but if you have no other option, an SLI will do as long as the other specs match.
Why OEM?
Most people recommend OEM batteries over aftermarket batteries for a few key reasons:
- OEM batteries are built to the exact specs of your car. Tiny differences in things like anode and cathode sizes, over enough miles, will burn your aftermarket battery out sooner than the OEM.
- OEM batteries come with all the same guarantees as the one that came with your car. You’re buying a Dodge battery from a Dodge dealer with a Dodge warranty. If anything goes wrong, they’ve got you covered.
- It’s just easier to drive into the dealer and say “I need a new battery” than it is to memorize size groups and cold cranking amps and compare brands.
OEM batteries cost a little more, but for how long they last, you’re going to be spending less in the long run.
If You Must Buy Aftermarket …
If you don’t have a choice but to buy an aftermarket battery, the most important thing is to get the specs right. Again, in a 2012 Dodge Journey those specs will usually be:
- Group size: 86
- CCA: 525
- Battery type: AGM
So write those down and make sure you get what you need.
If you have the option, it’s a good idea to treat your aftermarket battery sort of like a spare tire. Something that will get you home when you have a problem, but just a temporary fix until you can get to a Dodge dealer.
