Auto Zone batteries?

[bullwinkle]

Originally Posted By: AndyinAL
Advance Auto Parts. Johnson Control just like AutoZone, Walmart, Costco, Interstate...

Buy online, pick up in store. Use discount code TRT41 to save $40 off $100

Standard batteries are fine. Cramming more lead and plates into the same physical case is not better. Modern cars do not need 700CCA to turn over. Batteries were half that 50 years ago cranking 400+ cubic inch, high compression, carbed engines.

The best reason to try to get a few more CCA in your battery is a bigger margin for error-really cold temps, accidentally leave a light or lights on, or even some age can make a standard size battery fail when an oversized one will still get an engine started.

 

[mclasser]

I had a standard Duralast battery in my old Elantra because that was one of the few batteries that would fit for some reason. It started getting weaker after 3 years. Pro-rating it came out to the cost of a new battery on sale so I just kept it in until selling the car. Perhaps the Gold line is better.

I've run AAP Autocraft batteries in several cars with no problems. Use the coupon codes and it's a great deal.

 

[gregk24]

Ok guys just giving you an update. I went with a Duralast Gold at Auto Zone, just changed it out in there parking lot. So far so good, she started right up maybe even a little quicker than usuall, not really sure. But at least Ill be good battery-wise for years to come.

 

[charbaby]

I always feel better when I have good cranking power this time of year!

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: gregk24
...maybe even a little quicker than usual, not really sure. But at least Ill be good battery-wise for years to come.


Wait, so there wasn't anything wrong with the old battery? I think I would be a little tweaked at spending ~$125.00 and being "not really sure"...

To each their own I guess.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: gregk24
...maybe even a little quicker than usual, not really sure. But at least Ill be good battery-wise for years to come.


Wait, so there wasn't anything wrong with the old battery? I think I would be a little tweaked at spending ~$125.00 and being "not really sure"...

To each their own I guess.


The OP got the warm fuzzies for $125.

The OP mentioned he had it tested but no metrics were mentioned.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
All the batteries these days are the same, buy the warranty not the battery.

AZ in the past has been good all you need is your phone number for a warranty claim.

Also upgrade to the gold.


How did you conclude that? Incorrectly I might add. Walmart MAXX was number 1 in Consumer Reports testing for most group sizes.


I have never noticed much of a difference, they are all made by a couple companies and they all go bad after a few years.

How is Walmarts battery built differently that makes it hold up better?

The only batteries that really seem to last are the Mercedes batteries made in Spain.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
All the batteries these days are the same, buy the warranty not the battery.

AZ in the past has been good all you need is your phone number for a warranty claim.

Also upgrade to the gold.


How did you conclude that? Incorrectly I might add. Walmart MAXX was number 1 in Consumer Reports testing for most group sizes.


I have never noticed much of a difference, they are all made by a couple companies and they all go bad after a few years.

How is Walmarts battery built differently that makes it hold up better?

The only batteries that really seem to last are the Mercedes batteries made in Spain.


Batteries arent so commoditized that all are completely different. We already know there are different grades of batteries, related to plate thickness, impedance and other variables. Additives and stabilizers, stoichiometry in the alloys, etc. can all be varied.

A lowest bidder battery may well be made different, especially if it is being sold to a vendor that can move enough product to justify a separate production run.

This may or may not be the case, but people can pretty easily verify based upon CCA and RC (and mass) hw different vendors' products relate.

 

[EricF]

when I worked for AZ a decade ago, the Gold batteries weren't very well made. They were warranted faster than the others.
the 7yr Silver battery was much better for longevity.

Stay far away from the Valucraft. There's a reason why it's very inexpensive. I wouldn't even put that in a car I was selling to a junkyard.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: EricF
when I worked for AZ a decade ago, the Gold batteries weren't very well made. They were warranted faster than the others.
the 7yr Silver battery was much better for longevity.

Stay far away from the Valucraft. There's a reason why it's very inexpensive. I wouldn't even put that in a car I was selling to a junkyard.


I find it hard to understand why people would ever put a part in their car with "value" or "budget" as part of the brand name.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I find it hard to understand why people would ever put a part in their car with "value" or "budget" as part of the brand name.


Especially when it comes to an important safety device like brakes.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Originally Posted By: gregk24
...maybe even a little quicker than usual, not really sure. But at least Ill be good battery-wise for years to come.


Wait, so there wasn't anything wrong with the old battery? I think I would be a little tweaked at spending ~$125.00 and being "not really sure"...

To each their own I guess.


No I had it tested a month or so back and it was putting out around 400 or so CCA, and when the temp dropped it showed. It was turning over pretty slow, and never seemed to improve much even when the temp came back up. It seems to start with "confidence" now. Seems like there is some power behind the starter.