how to keep your vehicle battery...

Donald · Jan 22, 2019

Originally Posted by bullwinkle
Originally Posted by Donald
I brought a battery in from my boat, put it on a battery maintainer to help it last longer. Dog chewed the corner of the case and now it needs replacement. So I can say that bringing a battery in to put on a battery maintainer does not always help the battery last longer.

Was it the battery needing replacement? Or the dog?? Seriously, solar battery mainta8ners and a desulphating battery maintainer both allow batteries to last a LOT longer-keep them charged, watered, and free of sulfation buildup, it's possible to get 10 years+ out of them.

Dog is fine. Battery needs replacement.

rubberchicken · Jan 25, 2019

I need more information about the Firebird FORMULA. Silly me kept thinking it was just the common Firebird Trans Am.

CharBaby · Jan 25, 2019

Originally Posted by rubberchicken
I need more information about the Firebird FORMULA. Silly me kept thinking it was just the common Firebird Trans Am.

Well, they're essentially the same car with different body panels. The TA is more dressed up with:
Hood Shaker
Ground Effects F&R
Side Vents in front fenders
All body graphics

All other things being equal including the Drivetrain, interior, wheel/tire pkg, suspension, brakes. Some(SOME) standard features on the TransAm were optional on the FORMULA but, not many things. That's not to say that some features aren't available on the FORMULA but, may have been standard as well.

BMWTurboDzl · Jan 25, 2019

Originally Posted by Imp4
Originally Posted by PPWarrior
This Forum hates Scotty. You will not get good, actually down-to-earth answer when you mention Scotty. I mean, he has fixed more cars than your normal BITOG pensioner poster.

Yeah, but he says such wacky stuff.
Maybe it's not actually wacky, maybe it's Scotty's delivery that's wacky?!?

And the fact that everything around him in his videos is a pig sty.

If he doesn't realize that that reflects on him, then what else is he ignorant of?!?

In one of his videos he complained about all the crap he has because much of it is gear/tools given to him to try out.

BMWTurboDzl · Jan 25, 2019

Originally Posted by PPWarrior
This Forum hates Scotty. You will not get good, actually down-to-earth answer when you mention Scotty. I mean, he has fixed more cars than your normal BITOG pensioner poster.

Naw. People just have to remember that for Scotty a vehicle should cost no more than $2k, be easy to work on, and get your from A to B in one piece. He's also not up on everything that's going on or consistent.. For example he rails on BMW for having electric water pumps but BMW has worked out the kinks with them and some of his favorite Asian brands use them as well. He rails on CVT, heaps praise on the ZF8HP, and then takes on dump on on FCA transmissions which btw are ZF8HP's !!!

y_p_w · Jan 25, 2019

Originally Posted by billt460
I think by having them even slightly discharge from sitting, then get recharged by the vehicles charging system, will sulfate the plates over time, and decrease the life of a battery substantially.

Sulfation only happens from being in the discharged state for very long.

I had a car that sat in my driveway for months waiting for the right time to fix. The battery seemed kind of wonky even though I tried charging it twice. It seems OK now, but I'm not sure how much capacity/life has been shaved off.

rubberchicken · Jan 27, 2019

Originally Posted by Char Baby
Originally Posted by rubberchicken
I need more information about the Firebird FORMULA. Silly me kept thinking it was just the common Firebird Trans Am.

Well, they're essentially the same car with different body panels. The TA is more dressed up with:
Hood Shaker
Ground Effects F&R
Side Vents in front fenders
All body graphics

All other things being equal including the Drivetrain, interior, wheel/tire pkg, suspension, brakes. Some(SOME) standard features on the TransAm were optional on the FORMULA but, not many things. That's not to say that some features aren't available on the FORMULA but, may have been standard as well.

OK, it appears my troll skillz are in decline. Have you done anything to that wheezy 1980 FORMULA engine so that modern Civics and Kia's will actually respect it ? And does it have to be spelled FORMULA in caps ?

CharBaby · Jan 27, 2019

I'm not concerned if anyone respects the car. It's won it's category at car show a plenty and always get a thumbs up from many folks in different circles. It's always a conversation piece with plenty of stories over the years.

And although I'm not getting rid of the car anytime soon just because it isn't considered fast, after 39 years it's here to stay even though I/we outgrew the car some 25+ years ago. I've outgrown it and yet, I've grown into it, if that makes any sense.
It's the first car my wife & I bought as a married couple.

No, the lettering doesn't have to be spelled out this way. I do it only because the chrome "Firebird" on the front 1/4 panel is spelled that way and the FORMULA on the lower section of the doors & the rear spoiler is spelled that way...that's all!

And no, I haven't done anything to this engine(it would need a whole drivetrain/differential, radiator, motor mounts etc.). However, any other engine except the largest/fastest Low Production Volume engines ever put into this gen of PONTIAC

still couldn't do anything worth a U-No-Wut, compared to these cars today or even from the 90s.

The car is quick enough for me(cruiser) although the other 4(Camaro/Firebird) I had prior, were faster. If you want to call anything from the mid-late 70s, "fast"!

Most of the 350-400 ci in these later(EPA restricted) generations, were not much more than boat anchors.

The V8 makes decent power(more torque) if you catch it right. I've even impressed my buddies with their crate motors when letting them drive or taking them out for a drive, They've always given that..."Hmmm, faster than I thought"! But, that was years ago.

I've gotta post some pics(beautiful is in the eye...) because it is absolutely gorgeous!

rubberchicken · Jan 28, 2019

Just yanking your chain

I had a late 80's Z28, and the difference in handling from the previous generation was remarkable. That and the aerodynamics- I had it on a lonely stretch of highway and kept it pegged at a measured 140+ for about 6-7 miles. Speedo was limited to 85 I think but I had a computer linked to the service port. ( this was pre-affordable GPS days). That turned out to be a reliable car, other than a blown transmission around 100k which was replaced with a used trans. I finally lost interest in it and sold it to a friend who kept it past 200k miles, but somebody hit it while parked and it was totaled.

CharBaby · Jan 28, 2019

Yeah, I love the Z's too!
These were my cars of choice back in the day and you'd have to admit, they(Zs & TAs) were the best looking of the Pony Cars going forward. I just happened to like the sleekness of the body on the FORMULA back then.
The 60s & early 70's had the Mopars but then, they kinda lost their way until lately.

But, as I mentioned, I outgrew the car a 1/4 century ago although it is still a nice car for my wife & I to cruise in(T-top off) on a sunny day.

I have actually lost interest in many of these cars(Stang, Charger, Camaro, even the Vette) but if I had to choose, I may pick the Mopar for it roominess though I don't need 700 hp. But, that ain't happening! I'll gladly take a family sedan w/ 4 cyl(185-200 hp). That's enough for me!

circuitsmith · Jan 28, 2019

Originally Posted by y_p_w
Sulfation only happens from being in the discharged state for very long.

Sulfation occurs whenever the battery is less than 100% charged.

slybunda · Jan 28, 2019

Does agm suffer from sulfation?

wrcsixeight · Jan 28, 2019

Yes they do. And in deep cycle applications they might sulfate faster than flooded batteries, when not brought to a true full charge regularly and often.

No lead battery is immune from abuse. And abuse can be defines as anything less than 100% charged.
The hotter the battery and the lower the state of charge the less happy the battery, and it loses capacity and ability to transmit it quickly. To a starter motor.

slybunda · Jan 29, 2019

What about these new lithium iron phosphate car batteries popping up. Do they sulfate?

Panos · Jan 29, 2019

No, because they do not contain sulfur.

slybunda · Jan 29, 2019

Hmm lithium batteries seem expensive but are they worth the expense?

Panos · Jan 30, 2019

No ,they don't. with current technology and prices.Their main advantage is weight saving which is insignificant as a percentage in cars.Their second big advantage is they do not experience problems if they remain party charged.However BIG problems occur with LOW charge state (may become useless) or OVERCHARGE (may deteriorate or/and explode) LOW temperatures (under 0 C the perform poorly) ,they need external BALANCING (lead acid batteries tend to auto-balance in most cases).So , no.

Driz · Jan 30, 2019

Originally Posted by Donald
I brought a battery in from my boat, put it on a battery maintainer to help it last longer. Dog chewed the corner of the case and now it needs replacement. So I can say that bringing a battery in to put on a battery maintainer does not always help the battery last longer.

That's some dog ya got there. I bet he quit real fast once it began leaking

how to keep your vehicle battery...

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