"Interstate Are Now Garbage"

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

NDL

Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
270
Location
Carolina Foothills
I have always been a huge fan of Interstate batteries.

The original Motorcraft (Johnson Controls) battery in my truck, which should have never survived the abuse it was under, was still going strong after 8 years and 110k miles. Only replaced it to be on the safe side...

Fast forward to present: the Interstate green top in my Impala went after only three years of use, and I wasn't too happy with the prorated amount they gave me towards a replacement.

Dad has a 2006 Sonata, and it's Interstate battery wouldn't properly hold a charge after only two years.

The shop that my family has been using for 30+ years no longer sells Interstate batteries, because "they're now garbage."

Would anyone else agree with this? Could it be that both Dad & I got bad batteries?

Does Johnson Controls still make Interstate? Is Johnson Controls the same company that it's always been?
 
welcome2.gif


Napa batteries are good stuff. Made by Deka
smile.gif
 
I've got a 2005 Toyota Tacoma with the original battery still going strong. I really need to put a new battery in it soon as I really don't know how much longer it will last.

Anyone know who makes the OEM Toyota batteries?
 
Interstate has a special relationship with JCI and thus Interstate batteries will always be made by JCI.

All the shops I frequent still install Interstate.

However I think the best deal is a Walmart MAXX made by JCI if they have your needed group size.

As always, look for a fresh battery.
 
Originally Posted By: NDL
I have always been a huge fan of Interstate batteries.

The original Motorcraft (Johnson Controls) battery in my truck, which should have never survived the abuse it was under, was still going strong after 8 years and 110k miles. Only replaced it to be on the safe side...

Fast forward to present: the Interstate green top in my Impala went after only three years of use, and I wasn't too happy with the prorated amount they gave me towards a replacement.

Dad has a 2006 Sonata, and it's Interstate battery wouldn't properly hold a charge after only two years.

The shop that my family has been using for 30+ years no longer sells Interstate batteries, because "they're now garbage."

Would anyone else agree with this? Could it be that both Dad & I got bad batteries?

Does Johnson Controls still make Interstate? Is Johnson Controls the same company that it's always been?


Too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
welcome2.gif


Napa batteries are good stuff. Made by Deka
smile.gif



Thanks for the welcome wishes, and for the info.

In the 90's, NAPA batteries were made by Exide. Used to get returns all the time...
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Donald
Too small a sample size to draw any conclusions.


What threw me for a loop was the remark made by our family mechanic. He isn't someone that often remarks about an automotive supplier.
 
New business model:

Maximum profit is the name of the game.
Rely on marketing to sell.
Cheapen product as much as possible, for maximum profit. Thinner few plates, cheaper paste material, cheaper manufacturing process. make shinier sticker, printed with more lies.

When marketing no longer works, fire CEO with huge severance bonus, hire new guy to harass the marketers. Make no/minimal concessions to quality, unless bean counters and marketers fear for their long term jobs.

Seek maximum executive bonus.

Laugh at consumer.

Lather rinse repeat.
 
Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
New business model:

Maximum profit is the name of the game.
Rely on marketing to sell.
Cheapen product as much as possible, for maximum profit. Thinner few plates, cheaper paste material, cheaper manufacturing process. make shinier sticker, printed with more lies.

When marketing no longer works, fire CEO with huge severance bonus, hire new guy to harass the marketers. Make no/minimal concessions to quality, unless bean counters and marketers fear for their long term jobs.

Seek maximum executive bonus.

Laugh at consumer.

Lather rinse repeat.



Exactly, and primarily driven by the MBA.

I think it is actually starting to back fire since the consumer has the internet and can get plenty of information about products.
Many consumers now know that the quality of so many products today is such poop, that they have slowed their purchases of "new" items and this trend will likely accelerate in the future along with the decline of the economy and stagnant wages.

I personally see very few products today being of reasonable quality or just as important durability no matter what the price, unless you are willing to pay a small fortune for the absolute very best there is.
 
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I've got a 2005 Toyota Tacoma with the original battery still going strong. I really need to put a new battery in it soon as I really don't know how much longer it will last.

Anyone know who makes the OEM Toyota batteries?

If your Tacoma was made in Japan then battery was very likely made by Panasonic.

If your Tacoma was made in US, I don't know.

The battery in my S2000 is small size 51, it lasted 6.5 years. I replaced it with cheapest Interstate(around $50-60) my local garage had it, it lasted about 5.5 years. Now I have Optima Yellow top I bought from Pep Boys 6-7 months ago for about $100 when it was on sale and with 30% off online coupon.
 
Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel
I personally see very few products today being of reasonable quality or just as important durability no matter what the price, unless you are willing to pay a small fortune for the absolute very best there is.


Bingo. There are times when I'd pay more for quality, but the quality options just don't exist. Parts store motor mounts are just one example - they are all junk, regardless of house brand or price points (at least for my applications).
 
I also like the East Penn batteries. I get them from Sam's Club for a better price than O'Reilly but use O'Reilly as a back-up if I have trouble with procurement.
 
I've found that folks who use battery power for radio, Windows, lights, etc, after the vehicle is turned off, seem to get lower battery life. Use, maintenance at full state of charge, year-round ambient temperature, and lots more come into play here.

I'm sure various battery lines, though made by the same manufacturer, are built to different quality and price points. Interstate should be amongst the better ones though...
 
Originally Posted By: novadude
When did NAPA switch to Deka? I always thought they were exide.
Its been quite a while,maybe 5 or 6 years now....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Carlostrece
Who makes which battery?
2 3 4
Replies
64
Views
11K
lagarita
SammyChevelleTypeS3
NEW Vehicle Advice / Recommendations: Anyone? Subaru or Toyota? What says the gang?
3 4 5
Replies
98
Views
4K
Donald
P
A positive review of a Lexus dealership
Replies
2
Views
495
Slick3914
M104
Are you also cursed with the same problem with every car you own?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
2K
zzyzzx
G
A personal auto ownership history story to share
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Boomer
Back
Top Bottom