Is your battery struggling to start up your 2009 Honda Civic? If so, then it might be time for a replacement. Luckily, it’s quite easy to do. Perhaps the hardest part is finding the right battery for your build.
What’s the best battery for the 2009 Honda Civic?
The 2009 Civic uses the 51R flooded lead-acid battery for all of its trims. Whether you have the 1.8L or 2.0L engine, you’ll need to seek out this battery when it comes time for a replacement.
There’s a lot more to it than that, however. But you don’t have to go far to find out everything there’s to know about Civic batteries because we’re going to cover it in this guide. Here’s what you need to know.
Battery Group Sizes Explained
Automotive batteries are listed according to their group size to make it easy to pick out a replacement. When you go with the manufacturer’s recommended group size, you know that it will have the right power output and dimensions for your vehicle.
The 2009 Honda Civic uses the 51R group size for all its trim levels. In the past, the 1.7L used the 51, while the 2.0L engine needed the 51R. Since Hondas now use the 1.8L and 2.0L powerplants, they all use the 51R instead.
At 9 inches long and 5 inches wide, the 51R fits perfectly in the battery tray. Its 8-inch height doesn’t interfere with the hood closing either. Beyond that, this battery is perfectly rated to start up and run either engine with ease.
You’ll find that this battery group size has a minimum of 400 cold-cranking amps and a capacity of around 47 amp hours. It also has a reserve capacity of at least 75 minutes.
Lead-Acid, Lithium-Ion, or SLI?
From the factory, the 2009 Civic came with a flooded lead-acid battery. Since these batteries use water to hold a charge, they need regular maintenance. You have to refill the battery water and check for corrosion at each oil change to keep them working right.
If you prefer to avoid battery maintenance, you could always go with an absorbent glass mat (AGM) or Optima battery instead. They are also great for high-performance applications and cars with upgraded accessories.
These batteries use the same group size, so picking one out is easy. Once you have an AGM or Optima battery installed, you won’t have to check the water since it’s all sealed up. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the battery leaking while on the go.
OEM vs. Aftermarket: What’s the Difference?
When new, the 2009 Civic featured an OEM Honda-branded battery. These batteries are also available as a Honda genuine replacement part, which is required for vehicles under warranty.
Once that warranty is up, you have the option to switch to an aftermarket battery instead. If you stick with OEM, however, you get an excellent 100-month warranty. Included in that coverage is full replacement of any batteries that fail within the first three years.
Aftermarket battery warranties simply cannot compare. They usually only last 30 months and do not come with full replacement coverage. Instead, you get the cost prorated depending on the age of the battery. The prorated amount can then offset the price of the replacement battery.
Both OEM and aftermarket batteries have similar dimensions, power ratings, and the like. You just have to get one listed as the 51R group size to ensure the battery will start and power your car as expected.
Thinking about an Aftermarket Battery? Here’s What We Suggest
Although OEM Honda batteries come with a truly impressive warranty, their cost is equally breathtaking — and not in a good way. If you cannot justify spending the higher price in exchange for such a protective warranty, then aftermarket is the way to go.
You have many aftermarket battery manufacturers to choose from including:
- Duracell
- Interstate
- ACDelco
- DieHard
- Exide
While choosing between the options, make sure to check that the cold-cranking amps are above 400. Any lower than that and your car won’t start up right. Beyond that, check its capacity and reserve capacity to find the one with the highest rating.
The last thing to check is the reputation of the retailer in question. If your battery goes dead before the warranty is up, you want to deal with a retailer who won’t give you any trouble in honoring the coverage.
