Tougher Battery choice than I thought..

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daves87rs

daves87rs

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Well, the Napa 65 on the wife's car just pushed past 60 months, and with what I has put up with, might be on borrowed time...

So, it's time to pony up for a new one. The other two run advance batteries, so you think that it would my go to battery. Not so!
While the silver in mine has been great, My gold in the Cobalt has issues....so much so, that it is heading in for a replacement. So, can't say I'm impressed...


Always had good luck with Diehards.....or could make the switch to Deka batteries..Super Start. Undecided about Walmart's ones though,as they are getting mixed reviews.....
 
I've had an EverStart (affectionately known as "NeverStart") Walmart battery in my Mustang for the past 5 years that replaced the terrible Motorcraft battery and it has been fine. I put an Interstate in my Volvo last year and it has also been fine.
 
since you're in MI, try the Batteries @ your local Meijer.
Made by East Penn/Deka, reasonably priced, and for me @ least, very reliable. been using them since nov.'03, with no failures other than one that was killed by too many jumpstarts after i ran it dead from leaving the lights on too many times (Completely my fault, not the battery's)
 
I've had two Interstates in my Integra. The first lasted 8-years before it started failing to hold a full charge. The second is now 3-years old; it still holds a full charge, and there is no corrosion on the terminals.

I think people get obsessed with finding the "best" battery, but then end up wrecking whatever they buy with maltreatment.

How to make any battery last:
1) Do NOT overtighten the terminals. EVERYBODY does this, which is why everybody ends up with corrosion on the terminals. Nobody seems to have a clue how little torque is needed to affix the terminal to the post.
2) NEVER allow the battery to run flat, even partially. That means never forgetting to turn off your headlights.
3) Drive the car enough to keep the battery charged all the time. A mile to the store several times a week doesn't cut it.
4) Don't live in a hot environment. Luckily for you, Michigan doesn't count as "hot".
5) Keep an eye on the fluid level, and make certain it never gets below the tops of the plates. The fuller the better.
 
if you drive short distances, charge your battery with an external charger every few months/ monthly etc. it will help increase the life of your batt.
my honda ridgeline sat for long periods of time, and few winters back the batt would barely crank, I charged it few times on external batt, run regen cycle on the charger. voila, still working for me, the batt is a 2007 jan.
 
I've had a couple Interstate's poop out early and had total success with NAPA.

I'd stay with the NAPA if I were you...
 
In our fleet the Interstates lasted nearly forever. Great batteries IMO.

But these days they are all virtually identical. Choose by price and best non pro rated warranty.
 
I would also consider what store is easy to get to and what they carry. could save some $$ by not driving all over. check the discount board for rebates promotions or discounts. AAP and AZ have ship to store stuff they don't have in stock.
I got Optimas in the boat and really like them but probably wouldnt go that route for the car or truck.
I think AAP and AZ offer free installation...
 
100% agree - check date code and buy only a fresh battery - avoid battery older than 3 months form manufacturer date.

For the standard wet cell lead acid battery there are only 2 or at most 3 factories left in NA that manufacture batteries. But there are 20+ brand sellers - the various brands package and market batteries that are basically the exact same battery internally build by the same factory - so "branded" batteries is lots of smoke and mirrors in advertising and marketing that relies on an uneducated consumer.

For a standard wet cell battery which is very old, very standard technology, a smart consumer would be best off to buy heaviest battery with the sturdiest case that is available from any seller in the group/size they need. So here is the secret to getting the best battery - robustness and longevity of the battery is almost directly proportional to its size and how much it weighs. So least cost/weight in lbs is the best indicator of value when buying.

Another secret when buying a car battery - higher warranty "premium" advertised batteries are usually the exact same battery internally as lower priced versions of same brand, the premium battery is just priced higher to support the warranty. Typical long warranty "premium" battery is 99% marketing hype because you are in essence paying for your own warranty costs up front and then if you have a claim the warranty refund is prorated to be worth very little and they force you to buy the replacement battery at retail. Its a sucker bet.
 
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I have a Walmart Everstart Maxx in my Ridgeline from 12/2010 and an Interstate Mega-Tron Plus in My Legend from 7/2009. Both have been flawless in this brutal Central California heat (30+ days over 100 degrees in summer).
 
There are a few good options I think.
My father's car is running on a 6 year old Energizer which is still working perfectly (WalMart) and I had no issues with my Kirkland Costco batteries in my previous cars. A friend uses Napa batteries and has no issues with them either.

If it were me, I would go to my local Napa and see what price my parts buddy could give me, and see if I can beat it elsewhere. If not, Napa battery for me.
 
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Costco batteries are rated well and are priced equally as well.


Would love to try these (kirkland), but need the membership...
 
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