I made a thread earlier about finding a date code to identify the batteries age. Back in the day it was totally ok to wait until total failure occurred to replace. But now with all the computer/electronic stuff on cars that really isn't a good idea is it?? So when do you replace your battery what is the best way to approach the situation?
so when do you replace a battery
- Thread starter ram_man
- Start date
- Status
My 88 E-150 battery is in since 10/8/00. I'll replace it when it dies. I work local so I'm not overly concerned. As far as newer cars I'd be interested in reading the different answers you get to this thread.
I replace them every 5 years. Occasionally 5.5, but never longer than that. Been thinking about trying an AGM, to stretch that number considerably. Just had one fail in the sons' Explorer at 5 years, 1 month age.
I'm not sure if I should replace mine or wait it was made dec 08.
Had a 2yr warranty. My lights are a little dim at start up and get brighter after a couple mins. My dash lights that is. And the headlights dash lights and dome all flicker slightly more like a strobe . After a few minutes it acts normal.sometimes it quicker to act normal than others. All grounds are good alt and batt both tested good so I'm not sure what to do. I've seen batteries pass the test and be bad and not show up until complete failure. The car cranks fine and everything though.
Had a 2yr warranty. My lights are a little dim at start up and get brighter after a couple mins. My dash lights that is. And the headlights dash lights and dome all flicker slightly more like a strobe . After a few minutes it acts normal.sometimes it quicker to act normal than others. All grounds are good alt and batt both tested good so I'm not sure what to do. I've seen batteries pass the test and be bad and not show up until complete failure. The car cranks fine and everything though.
When the battery shows symptoms of failure, replace it.
In this part of the country, a battery will last 6-8 years.
You might just go ahead and replace every five years, certainly in the case of your wife's car.
Remember that a bad battery can also cause alternator failure, which will likely be more expensive and more troublesome to replace than the battery.
After five or six years, the battery doesn't owe you much.
In the south, battery life is typically shorter.
In this part of the country, a battery will last 6-8 years.
You might just go ahead and replace every five years, certainly in the case of your wife's car.
Remember that a bad battery can also cause alternator failure, which will likely be more expensive and more troublesome to replace than the battery.
After five or six years, the battery doesn't owe you much.
In the south, battery life is typically shorter.
Our Saturn has the original battery and it is now 6 years old. While there are no signs of problems, I'm thinking about replacing it. We're doing a 2400 mile road trip to Florida and back in a couple of weeks and will be doing 2 or 3 trips to northern Michigan this summer. I'll be kicking myself if it fails on one of those, and it's also my wife's car.
7-9 years down here if you don't let the battery go dry.
4 years for me! Have 2 more years left on the Focus battery and 3.5 more on the cheorkee battery.
When my semi annual load test shows it's time to replace it. I test mine once in the spring and once in the fall when they get around 5 years old. Once they begin to deteriorate I replace them-I won't have my wife or myself stranded for something as simple as a battery.
Kestas
Staff member
I get anywhere from 5 to 13 years from a battery. I replace it when the starter begins to crank slower. This is gradual, so it sneaks up on you. With time I've developed a pretty good ear for it.
I test my 12v battery at every oil service and typically replace it every 4 years or sooner.
I put the Power Pulse desulfator on my batteries. So, starting with the battery I get today.. It is going on there.
I will replace it when I can hear it crank for a discerniby longer time in the morning. Then the voltmeter comes out. Then I go from there, as to charge or replace.
I will replace it when I can hear it crank for a discerniby longer time in the morning. Then the voltmeter comes out. Then I go from there, as to charge or replace.
My Acura MDX 07 Tech seems like every 2-3 years based on prior owner and then me.
My vehicle threw errant check engine lights and other nutty quirks. The root problem an $110 battery. Thankfully the dealer gave up this tidbit of info as he was quite booked and my new to me MDX was maddeningly haywire. He said get battery tested, first they do and it solves 85% of the issues.
I think the Bluettooth, Navigation, HID lighting with 2 min timer off, 25 interior lights, three AC zones, heated seats, 12 air bags, SH AWD, high end stereo ....... etc puts a heavy load on the battery...
Amazingly all these electronics are beyond reliable and not a hitch with a good batttery.
My prior beyound simple 04 WRX and 95 Civic I never changed the battery's in 8 years of ownership each.
My vehicle threw errant check engine lights and other nutty quirks. The root problem an $110 battery. Thankfully the dealer gave up this tidbit of info as he was quite booked and my new to me MDX was maddeningly haywire. He said get battery tested, first they do and it solves 85% of the issues.
I think the Bluettooth, Navigation, HID lighting with 2 min timer off, 25 interior lights, three AC zones, heated seats, 12 air bags, SH AWD, high end stereo ....... etc puts a heavy load on the battery...
Amazingly all these electronics are beyond reliable and not a hitch with a good batttery.
My prior beyound simple 04 WRX and 95 Civic I never changed the battery's in 8 years of ownership each.
I have never had good experience with AutoZone batteries (gold, whatever). They're all 2-3 year batteries. Considering that AZ, WM, and most other parts stores get their batteries from the same source, I would never push them beyond the end of warranty period. It's pretty easy to see when the battery starts going south. Once you have to jump start the car because it was left with some minor electrical accessory or cabin lights running for a little while, you know the battery has gotten weak. Once I see early signs, I take the car to AAP after ordering their battery online with a discount coupon. It takes like 10 minutes to replace. Better safe than sorry.
Last edited:
My battery is 7 years old on Mazda and it cranks much slower than it used to. Even it warm weather it cranks slowly.
Time to look for a new one.
Time to look for a new one.
Last edited:
- Status
Similar threads
