Optima Batteries YellowTop D35 Dual-Purpose AGM Battery
Priced as of May 27, 2026
4.2(1,309 ratings)Buy on AmazonSaved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
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CarCareTruth's Analysis
Last reviewed May 27, 2026
TL;DR Sealed AGM Group 35 with 620 SAE CCA — no PCA substitution. Community confirms 6–9.5 year service life, Clarios OE-supplier construction, and a 3-year full-replacement warranty.
What it is and how it performs
Group 35 sealed AGM — manufacturer specifies the chemistry explicitly; Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls) is the confirmed producer. SAE CCA is 620, published as the primary cranking figure without PCA substitution. Reserve capacity is 100 minutes. Warranty is 36 months full replacement; no prorated extension is disclosed. Community-confirmed service life runs 6–9.5 years on Subaru, Toyota, VW, and Porsche applications across a meaningful sample of long-term reviews. A 15% one-star rate reflects early failures in high-accessory deep-cycling use where repeated full discharge shortens life.
Who should buy this — and who should skip it
Right pick for a Group 35 AGM replacement in Subaru Impreza/WRX/Crosstrek (2002–2018), Toyota Yaris/Corolla/RAV4, or VW compact applications where community-verified 6–9 year service life past the warranty period is the priority. Skip if the vehicle OEM-specs EFB chemistry and a lower price point matters more.
Safety and environmental impact
Sealed AGM construction — no chemical exposure from the battery in normal installation. The Prop 65 lead warning is a labeling fact on the hardware. Spent lead-acid batteries are recovered through the retail core-charge return system — approximately 99% are recycled at certified smelters.
Frequently asked questions
What vehicles does the YellowTop D35 fit?▾
The D35 fits Group 35 applications — common fitments include Subaru (2002–2017 WRX/STI/Impreza/Legacy/Outback/Forester, 2013–2018 Crosstrek), Toyota (2006–2012 RAV4, Yaris, Corolla), Honda (Fit, Civic, Accord — subset), Mitsubishi, Nissan compact, and some Mazda models. Always verify the specific year and engine against the manufacturer's fitment guide before purchase, especially for start-stop applications.
Is the 620 CCA figure SAE — or is it a marketing number?▾
620 CCA is the SAE J537 cold-cranking amp figure, published as the primary cranking spec in the Amazon listing title and feature bullets. There is no PCA or 'Power Cranking Amps' substitution on the D35 — the 620 figure is directly comparable across battery brands. For most Group 35 applications, the OEM minimum CCA is typically 400–550 CCA, so the D35 runs with meaningful headroom.
Is the YellowTop D35 an add-on item on Amazon?▾
Yes — the D35 YellowTop carries the Amazon add-on item flag as of 2026-05-27, meaning it requires a qualifying order to purchase standalone on Amazon. The battery is widely stocked at AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance Auto Parts, Walmart, and Costco (seasonally) where the add-on restriction does not apply.
What is SpiralCell technology?▾
SpiralCell is Optima's spiral-wound cell construction, where the lead plates and absorbed glass mat are wound into a tight cylinder rather than stacked flat as in conventional flooded and most AGM batteries. This geometry compresses the plates under higher tension, which increases vibration resistance and reduces the space between plates for a denser energy pack. The 15× vibration resistance figure in the Amazon listing refers to this construction.
From the manufacturer
Marketing copy from Optima Batteries, via Amazon. Not editorial.
- •BATTERY SPECS: 12-Volt, 620 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 9 5/16" x 6 13/16" x 7 5/8" tall, Weight: 36.4 pounds, SAE Post, C20 Capicity: 48 AH
- •RESERVE CAPACITY of 100 minutes for constant performance. Faster charging capabilities.
- •SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY: SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY with 99.99% pure lead delivers more power and consistently outperforms conventional flat-plate batteries. Optimal starting power even in bad weather.
- •LONG LASTING: Fifteen times more resistant to vibration than standard flooded battieres for durability and Up to 3 times longer life vs. standard flooded batteries.
- •MAINTENANCE FREE: For maximum convenience. Ideal for High electrical demands.
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Manufacturer videos
Manufacturer images
Manufacturer specifications
- Brand
- OPTIMA
- Vehicle Service Type
- Passenger Car
- Size
- 9-5/16 x 6-13/16 x 7-5/8 inch
- Voltage
- 12 Volts
- Battery Cell Composition
- Lead Acid
- Item Weight
- 36.4 Pounds
- Product Dimensions
- 6.81"D x 9.31"W x 7.63"H
- Number Of Cells
- 6
- Terminal
- SAE Terminal
- Unit Count
- 1.0 Count
- Compatible with Vehicle Type
- Passenger Car
- Automotive Fit Type
- Vehicle Specific Fit
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Top Amazon review
↗External — Amazon's most-helpful review for context.
Outstanding pick for a weekend warrior car that sits during the week
I've consistently used Optima Yellow Top D35 on my weekend fun car (heavily modified 2002 WRX) that sits during the week and sometimes the battery drains down. It start very strong every time. Most recently I left the car for about 3 weeks just after installing the new battery and without much driving on it, and came back expecting the battery to need a jump, but I turned the ignition and it fired right up. The extra cost is a million times justified in my mind considering my experience with cheap batteries that last about a year or two. I've had Optima Yellows last 8+ years easy and have not seen deterioration in quality in the maybe 15 years I've ran them on my two cars. My "battery for life"