8 years from a 6 year AC-Delco battery

[Rock_Hudstone]

Well, the 6 year Delco group 78 battery gave out in my moms 1999 Monte Carlo over the weekend, lugged it over to the local parts store to get a replacement today.
The counter guy say the date code indicated a Sept 2004 build date! I'm not sure it thats right because I couldn't find the receipt and I've swapped batteries between cars a few times, but its very possible.

Anyway, not too bad if correct, the original Delco battery also lasted way beyond the warranty period. However, both were the older heavy duty maintenance free design, before they switched to Johnson Control built batteries.

Bad news is the only fully sealed batteries available are the formerly named 60 series (60 months) which are now 18 month free replacement and thats it, no more pro-rate warranty.
I decided to get it anyway because the price was right $77, and I've always had good service from AC-Delco batteries, well see how it goes.

 

[johnachak]

I swear by Delco replacement batteries.They outlast the originials by at least 2-3 years. Since the newer cars have much heavier demands on batteries and alternators got stronger (many 120+ amp), the heat generated created a need to check the electrolyte again.

 

[JHZR2]

Were still running a 1997 battery in one of our cars... Kept cool and low stressed (no draw on it when the car isnt running, etc) they can last a long time.

 

[bluestream]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
I swear by Delco replacement batteries.They outlast the originials by at least 2-3 years.


The Koreans make great batteries...

 

[mrsilv04]

I just swapped out an 11 year old Lawn and Garden battery last weekend. The first cold snap of this fall finally finished it off.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: johnachak
I swear by Delco replacement batteries.They outlast the originials by at least 2-3 years.


The Koreans make great batteries...


Right, the 60 series batteries are Korean made as matter of fact, don't know if thats good or bad, all the Delco batteries I've had previously were USA built.

 

[RiceCake]

I need to figure out when exactly the battery in my car was made, and what brand it is. I think its circa 2005, but its starting to go limp. Cool to hear you got 8 years, thats a pretty awesome service life.

 

[Buick92]

We had a 1992 buick skylark (1991 build date), I replaced the original AC Delco battery in 2000. Lots of cold starts and short trips over it's life, best battery I've ever seen.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Buick92
We had a 1992 buick skylark (1991 build date), I replaced the original AC Delco battery in 2000. Lots of cold starts and short trips over it's life, best battery I've ever seen.


We have something in common, sort of. My Diehard Gold had a birthday on 10/8, it turned 12. No problems to report and I have no plans on changing it. I've been working locally and if it dies I'll deal with it.

 

[daves87rs]

Replaced the OE delco in my Cav last year..7 years...not bad!

 

[Turk]

Yep, got 8 years outta mine on my 2003 GMC Sierra!

 

[NateDN10]

Over 7 years on the OE Delco battery in my Cobalt - still going strong.

 

[exranger06]

I just replaced the original Delco battery in my girlfriend's sister's 2010 GMC Terrain. Less than 3 years old and it was dead. That's a pretty poor service life.

Off-topic: the Terrain is the worst vehicle to change a battery on. Taking the ECM out and removing plastic trim pieces to get the battery out. Nice.

 

[Maximus1966]

I think I may eventually set a record for a car battery! I'm still running the original Motorcraft in my 1998 Mustang GT. She's a garage queen with only 22K on the odometer and I keep a Battery Tender on the battery whenever the car is not being driven. For the past few months though, I could swear she's turning over a little slower, so maybe we are nearing the end of the line.

My worst experience was a top-of-the-line (Gold something or other) from AutoZone purchased a little over a year ago. Only lasted less than one year in the wife's Element. AZ replaced it with one just like it, then we sold the car.

 

[Dave Sherman]

The Duralast battery in the MG is still going after 9.5 years. Considering there have been a few times when the engine vapor locked and needed lots of cranking and a battery recharge later, that's not too shabby.

 

[ron917]

The factory Delco battery in my 2003 Pontiac Montana is still going strong. Build date on the van is June,2003. We bought it with 3 miles on the clock, it has 128k miles now.

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^There's a factory freak there^^^

 

[charbaby]

I changed the OE AC Delco Battery in my wifes '01 Lexus at 8 years just because I just didn't want a phone call in the middle of winter. 8 years was long enough! I don't remember the rating on the OE battery but, I bought an AAP Titanium(a.k.a. GOLD today). It's an 8 yr battery.

All of our vehicles have relativly new batteries between 2009-10 and are rated to ~8 yrs(96mo's) w/beyond 650cca/700+ca

I haven't had battery problems since I was a kid and I don't want them(always happens on the worst day/night). It's just easier to replace it when the weather is still nice and I have gotten my use in years out of them.

 

[cutter]

On a car I just sold, had an Exide in it for the eight years I owned the car. Started up just fine and never had a problem. No idea that actual age of the battery, could be well over 8. Go figure.

 

[otis24]

I'm guessing the battery in my Colorado is original, 6yr old AC Delco. I drive short distances to work (2.5 miles). I put the charger on my vehicle a couple of times a year to bring it up to full charge.