Have a Northstar in the Ram, It just turned 7 years and still tests good.
9 years out of a battery
- Thread starter KevinMalone
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2022
- Messages
- 765
No worse than all the pickups and suv's that constantly blind me any time of day with their new fangled headlights. How dare I drive a normal sedan. They've got some nerve flashing me when I drive with my high beams on. They should realize I'm putting up with it full time from them.
Last edited:
The OEM Panasonic AGM in my xB lasted ~12 years before it began testing weaker, then it went in my brother’s old ‘87 Tercel for a couple years. I made the mistake of using a JC leaker for a few years, now it’s East Penn or NOTHING! Currently a NAPA Proformer.
I’ve had to replace several JC/Clarios leakers long before they stopped holding a charge or losing starting power. First time AZ told me there was no warranty for leaking on a ~$200 Duralast Gold that had NEVER EVEN HAD A CLAMP ON IT (34/78 DT) was the last time I bought their POSs!!
Battery in my Tercel is a little over 8.5 years old. It was from Oreillys. I plan to replace it with an AGM from Napa once it starts getting cold. I know I'm on borrowed time and my commute home is around 1am. I don't need it to quit starting in the middle of the night.
I too have posted previously of the terrific Panasonic's that were in my xB and xD. I changed them each out when they hit age 7, but were still behaving well. Actually, the group 35 from the xD went to my stepson's car at age 8 and is still going at age 11 or 12. I always checked water level and topped off as needed twice a year.
The Panasonics in my made in Japan Scions were not AGM's, but regular flooded acid batteries with the old school water caps. I think that the old flooded type batteries are still the best, all things considered. If they're quality construction like the Panasonics. I once looked very hard for a US source of Panasonics and none come here.
Owen Lucas
$100 Site Donor 2023
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2021
- Messages
- 3,059
You will have to travel to Japan to buy one from my research. I would love to go there one day to experience the culture, high speed, rail, food, so much to do. There's no way I can bring a car battery with me but maybe there is some shipping option? Would probably cost 5x the cost of the battery.
the aftermarket flooded interstate went 10 yrs + got replaced JUST BECAUSE as i was having issues with the 8 YO NAPA -east penn in my rarely driven 2001 TT that left me STUCK that ended being an alternator NOT charging!!! modern vehicles REQUIRE good electric power + can leave you stranded without it. if possible a flooded battery you can add DISTILLED water as needed is best + cheapest as well if battery access is EZE!!
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Not in a car but the BMW/Mareg battery in my 1991 R100gs motorcycle made it 9 years.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
You must be in Canada, that is a great warranty from Costco.ca. Costco.com is three years prorated in the USA.
My vintage 01/2018 battery died this morning. 75DT battery Champion branded purchased at Pep Boys.
The one in my '05 xB had no vent caps, pretty sure it was AGM. It was a big shock to spend $$$ on an AAP Autocraft Gold that suddenly started leaking acid all over at under 2 years old... When there was no warranty coverage, that was the end of JC/Clarios for me. Even after I had an Interstate MTP go 13 years before dying!
My battery in my 99 Suburban lasted 8 years and the second one lasted another 8 years, then i stuck a battery in it that came out of one of my sons cars and it just started getting weak. Installed a new Delco battery last week.
06 Monte Carlo on battery number 2. Doesn't get driven much (16,000 ) and always on a tender. I am sure it's on borrowed tine though.
06 Monte Carlo on battery number 2. Doesn't get driven much (16,000 ) and always on a tender. I am sure it's on borrowed tine though.
Here in Las Vegas you’re lucky to get 4 years even on AGM batteries. I replace mine every 3 years as a precaution. Don’t want to see wife stranded since she uses car most of the time.
I struggle to get out of the 36 months free replacement period on my batteries 
I also learned the hard way that putting an AGM battery in an older car that can't charge or appreciate it is a false economy
Now I shoot for testing near the warranty expiry date, and hoping it fails
I also learned the hard way that putting an AGM battery in an older car that can't charge or appreciate it is a false economy
Now I shoot for testing near the warranty expiry date, and hoping it fails
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2020
- Messages
- 56
I just replaced my Diehard Gold that I had in my 1972 VW Westy since Nov 2005. That's right...2006. Returned after returning home after 3.5 weeks in Japan (2nd home) Jan 12, 2025. I got 3 key turns before it gave up.
I just had my Diehard Gold die on me. I purchased it back in November 2005. I had gone to Japan for 3 weeks and upon return (Jan 12 2025), I got (3) key turns/cranks and that was it. It served me well.
My Impala battery is currently at almost 11 years. April 2014 assembly date. However, it is getting close to having to be replaced and I suspect this summer I'll do it. I have one of those small load/crank/charge battery testers that I find to be pretty good in monitoring battery health. The last test: Start 9.6v, CCA = 541A, R = 5.7mΩ, Life = 56.7%, SOC = 87%.
You won't get that kind of life out of the new one. Lucky to get 3 years now.
It will probably drop $15 by tax day this year
