AAP Battery

[OtisBlkR1]

So i notice my 06 Chevy Silverado is starting to turn over a little slower probably due to a weak battery, so off to AAP i go for free testing and if needed a free install.

the test 373 of 600 and the tester/clerk declares my battery is still "OK" but says i should probably throw a charge on it all nite..

I disagree, i dont want to chance being stranded in very cold weather with a "iffy battery" so there are 2 choices, a direct replacement $90.00 600CC and a $102.00 7xxcc battery. I opt for the 7xx plus better battery, for the few extra bucks why not!

The funny: The free install was less than impressive, the tech couldnt get any leverage on my battery and asked me to help (im standing there in church clothes) But i did, we got the battery out, he then put the new battery in, but could not get the battery lock bolt started.. he worked and played with it for 10 min and then retreated inside for help. I picked up his tools and started looking.. I fliped the bracked and the bolt started right in.. They (the tech and his help) returned and he was dumbfounded that i got it started and installed, they took back over and put the terminals on and declaired victory.. this entire process was 45 min. Im glad i got a fresh battery in the truck but wasnt expecting to have to get dirty..

anyway, this is my first AAP battery, they any good ? i know less than nothing about them.

 

[dparm]

More CCA = better, so smart choice. I believe AAP's are made by Johnson Controls.

 

[Tdbo]

They are Johnson Control batteries. I have bought four batteries from AAP in as many cars/trucks over the years. Never a problem.
Had to put one this year in my Wife's 2006 Odyssey van. Installed and out the door in 15 minutes. Bought on line and got 20% off plus a $50 off on $100 Coupon. Bought new shocks for my truck with the coupon. Good deal all the way around.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

wow.. super !

 

[45ACP]

Cant go wrong with the Silver battery.

Just make sure the staff of the store that sells to you arent jerks.

And, yes, its Johnson Control. I honestly see the Silver costing ~$79 when i see Bosch batteries go for about $130 at other stores, and are Exide. Johnson Control is WAAAY better than Exide, even if its Bosch Exide.

DieHard International = Mexico, AVOID
Deka = NAPA.. pricey but good. As good as Johnson Control..
Interstate Batteries PRO series = Great. If you can find it.

Interstate, NAPA, or Adnavce Auto Silver. AVOID Autozone. Its EXIDE. Also, avoid Walmart.. its Exide, too.

 

[eljefino]

AA makes fine batteries.

I'm starting to suspect the midtronics type tester has a lot of false positives for batteries "needing charging". Instead, those batteries are, indeed, no good. It is frustrating trying to get one warrantied when they insist it needs charging.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

nice, i just happend to pull into AAP, directly across the street was a AZ and just up the street a o'rielys. Im glad i got a good one, I remember from other threads everyone saying johnson controlls were good, i even asked the guy who made the battery, he couldnt tell me! If it wasnt a Sunday i would have went to Napa, but they closed at 6:00pm and i was on the wrong end of town..

well im glad to get all this info, glad i lucked out on a hip shot battery and its turned out to be a good item. thumbs up !

 

[zoomie]

any warranty?

 

[SnPb]

I think that Walmart batteries are supplied by Exide or Johnson Control, depending on what part of the country the store is in. The local Walmart here has been selling Johnson Control batteries for several years.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: zoomie
any warranty?

Silver = 2 years
Gold = 3 years
i always get Silver.

Honestly, if you get one made the same month (look on the shelf to see the battery made the same month) then the energy in the battery wont discharge form "just sitting there" and it should be fine. That said, some folks either:

1. Slow charge it for a day with an auto-shutoff times (some go 3 days..)
2. Put the smart charger on it and do the same for one day..
.. it should be alright.

Quote:
The local Walmart here has been selling Johnson Control batteries for several years.


I can appreciate that but my question is how do you -KNOW.- ?

People say the Exide batteries that say Bosch and are sold at CarQuest are unlike any other Exide and are fine.........

 

[SnPb]

Because it says manufactured by Johnson Controls on the Walmart label.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

I got the gold 36 month free replacement, 84 month pro-rated
my reciept says BATTERY GOLD 1EA ATOCF 2040441 PRICE WAS $107.99 AFTER TAX $115.55 ITS A 770 cca.

 

[sciphi]

The Fit got an AAP Silver U1RT Miata battery as a replacement recently. It works fine.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: dparm
More CCA = better, so smart choice. I believe AAP's are made by Johnson Controls.


Actually no. More CCA in same footprint = weaker plates. Its best to get the same CCA that the vehicle came with. You may need to go up if the exact CCA is not available, but one should not automatically go up. Never go down.

+1 on any JCI battery.

 

[meep]

walmart's batteries DO come from varying manufacturer per size. they may look the same, but are not. I know ConsumerReports is not the cat's meow, but they did do the research several years ago and listed at the time, exactly what size came from what manuf. IIRC there were 3 players then.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: 45ACP
AVOID Autozone. Its EXIDE.


When did this change occur? I was always under the impression that Autozone was JC also.

My Interstate distributor stated the same as Donald....higher CCA in the same footprint can result in thinner, weaker, shorter life plates, especially in hotter climates. Can anyone confirm this?

Finally, to the OP, don't forget about the online Advanced Auto discount codes. You could have save $40 dollars.

Enjoy your battery!

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
AVOID Autozone. Its EXIDE.


When did this change occur? I was always under the impression that Autozone was JC also.

My Interstate distributor stated the same as Donald....higher CCA in the same footprint can result in thinner, weaker, shorter life plates, especially in hotter climates. Can anyone confirm this?

Finally, to the OP, don't forget about the online Advanced Auto discount codes. You could have save $40 dollars.

Enjoy your battery!


Hmmmm.. i could be wrong here but i had heard that it went to the manufacturer of Sears DieHard/DieHard International, Mexico-sourced cells and "Exide" sometime in the late 2000s. I could be wrong but there was a battery thread.

Ive bought the cheap AutoZone batteries with red top for ~$65 and to be fair they were ok but i was suspect of their underlying components.. and i have to reluctantly say id choose batteries from an AZ with GOOD customer service (again some can be bad like Walmart) over Walmart EverStart battery (Exide as well, pretty sure. Though one poster says it depends on where you are.)

Quote:
Because it says manufactured by Johnson Controls on the Walmart label.


Well if i ever see that on a Walmart EverStart battery im buying it! Thanks man!

 

[CharBaby]

Of our 4 vehicle, I have 2 AAP batteries(AutoCraft Titanium/Gold) and 2 Wal*Mart(EverStart MAXX) batteries. All have been great! I don't see any differences in any of them!

And I have been using AutoCraft Deep Cycle/Marine batteries for some time too!

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: meep
walmart's batteries DO come from varying manufacturer per size. they may look the same, but are not. I know ConsumerReports is not the cat's meow, but they did do the research several years ago and listed at the time, exactly what size came from what manuf. IIRC there were 3 players then.


This can change year to year and maybe east coast Walmarts vs west coast Walmarts.

Easy to tell a JCI battery with removable caps, harder if its a maint. free.

 

[JamesBond]

I want to second your notion that "free battery installation" at AAP is less than great, and I will NEVER USE IT AGAIN. In my instance the installer over tightened the terminal clamp and broke it. I told him to go get me a new clamp off the shelf for free and put it on. After a little back and forth with a couple of employees they gave me a new clamp but we were unable to get the nut off to remove the old terminal from the neg. cable. They threw up their hands and told me there was a shop down the street. Went to shop, guy struggled with the nut, got it off, puts on new clamp, new clamp has bad threads on the bolt end that goes on the cable, try to take nut back off, bolt breaks inside terminal and just spins etc. etc. 45 min in a dimly lit shop with an increasingly frustrated mechanic who speaks no english, in the bad part of town, with my GF in the winter. Only cost me $20 for the worst "free installation" ever. Lesson learned.