Bought a New Costco Interstate today...

[ryster]

Just bought a Costco Interstate Group 48 H6 battery yesterday for my 2015 Equinox. Looks identical to the battery in post #36, with the exception that it has a 12/24 date sticker on it. $129.99. 36 month prorated warranty (which doesn't bother me at all.) Walmart Everstart Maxx was going to be $149. Costco was more convenient, and I have heard that Walmart these days is an absolute nightmare to deal with for the core exchange. Costco was quick and easy and returning the core a couple of hours later was no hassle.

The new battery replaces an Autocraft Silver from AAP from 12/19 (that was less than $100 back then.) The battery casing on the outgoing Autocraft was literally identical to the new Interstate battery. Most likely made by the same manufacturer (assuming JC/Clarios). The Autocraft had a 3yr warranty and lasted 5 years. It was still starting the car, but was only holding 12V overnight then dropping to 11V when unlocking the car with the fob, and dropping to 9.0V while cranking (and cranking was getting noticeably slower.) 5 years is my personal limit with a car battery, especially with winter getting ready to set in. Could the old Autocraft battery have made it through the winter? Possibly, but better safe than sorry. Replacing a battery on a 2nd gen Equinox is an absolute pain and better done when the weather is still somewhat decent.

 

[John105]

Just bought a Costco Interstate Group 48 H6 battery yesterday for my 2015 Equinox. Looks identical to the battery in post #36, with the exception that it has a 12/24 date sticker on it. $129.99. 36 month prorated warranty (which doesn't bother me at all.) Walmart Everstart Maxx was going to be $149. Costco was more convenient, and I have heard that Walmart these days is an absolute nightmare to deal with for the core exchange. Costco was quick and easy and returning the core a couple of hours later was no hassle.

The new battery replaces an Autocraft Silver from AAP from 12/19 (that was less than $100 back then.) The battery casing on the outgoing Autocraft was literally identical to the new Interstate battery. Most likely made by the same manufacturer (assuming JC/Clarios). The Autocraft had a 3yr warranty and lasted 5 years. It was still starting the car, but was only holding 12V overnight then dropping to 11V when unlocking the car with the fob, and dropping to 9.0V while cranking (and cranking was getting noticeably slower.) 5 years is my personal limit with a car battery, especially with winter getting ready to set in. Could the old Autocraft battery have made it through the winter? Possibly, but better safe than sorry. Replacing a battery on a 2nd gen Equinox is an absolute pain and better done when the weather is still somewhat decent.

Where’s the battery located? A 2011 Enclave also uses it and now that they have handles it’s easier to position into the rear right passenger’s footwell. Costco doesn’t provide the vent tube adapters so good idea to keep from current install. I hear the newer models take the 94R like my 2007 BMW

 

[Carmudgeon]

Latest recon run shows the German AGMs are back on the racks.

 

[walterjay]

I've had a run of bad luck in the family with Interstates. But with Costco and BJ's pricing I am tempted to try them again.

 

[_Will_]

I get why Costco had to do it, but being Costco they are at least are nice about it. Wife’s car developed a slow start, measured the battery and it was a low resting voltage, measured the charging voltage and it was good. Looked at the age and it was out of warranty the next month, go online and see it’s prorated. Go into the store to get her a new battery, joking with the guy that it almost made it and I’ll at least get a discount of a few dollars. He rings it up and the total is less than 20 dollars, I’m confused and bring up the prorated warranty and he says we bought ours before they changed it, we only have to pay the difference for the new one. They even lent me a 10mm from the tire center so I could swap it out and bring in the core.

 

[f355spider]

Latest recon run shows the German AGMs are back on the racks.

Varta for the win! I've had good luck with them so far.

 

[f355spider]

I get why Costco had to do it, but being Costco they are at least are nice about it. Wife’s car developed a slow start, measured the battery and it was a low resting voltage, measured the charging voltage and it was good. Looked at the age and it was out of warranty the next month, go online and see it’s prorated. Go into the store to get her a new battery, joking with the guy that it almost made it and I’ll at least get a discount of a few dollars. He rings it up and the total is less than 20 dollars, I’m confused and bring up the prorated warranty and he says we bought ours before they changed it, we only have to pay the difference for the new one. They even lent me a 10mm from the tire center so I could swap it out and bring in the core.

I've actually seen posts online that Costco is being pretty lenient on the pro-rated warranty. In some cases they are giving 100% refund, even though they are under the newer pro-rated warranty. I think it is dependent on the local store management.