which new battery to get; price vs warranty

[silversport]

curious on your thoughts when purchasing a new car battery…I need to buy a new battery for peace of mind…current (unintended pun ) battery is almost 5 years old but still shows good with load test but 5 years is usually end of life for me...

new car batteries vary widely in price for my car (48/H6) with the least expensive being the Costco Interstate with a 3 year pro-rated warranty and the more expensive being an AC Delco Gold with a 42 month warranty but $35 more...

AGM batteries are more still and not a requirement for my car as the OEM was/is regular lead acid paste type but AGM batteries fall in the $60 more still than the Costco/Interstate...

thoughts on which direction you might choose…appearance wise the Costco/Interstate and ACD Gold appear to be the same manufacturer with similar CCA/CA/RC specifications...

Thanks for any help or experience you care to share...

Bill

 

[Nukeman7]

In my personal vehicles, I don't replace the batteries prematurely because: (a) I test them regularly to monitor State of Health, and (b) I carry a jump pack. Since 3 of our vehicles use the same size 24F battery, the newest battery goes in my wife's daily driver and the older battery swaps into my car.

I advise you to search for past posts on "Costco battery" or "WalMart battery" on BITOG for lots of good info on which brand has the best warranty and ROI. You can start here: Car Battery

 

[silversport]

well I was more curious if buyers preferred saving some money but getting less warranty or whether warranty was worth the extra cost for peace of mind over the life of the battery…since many batteries (at least in this case) are made by the same manufacturer they may in fact even be the same battery…

one choice has the better price by $34 bux while the other choices have better warranties but cost $34 and more for that warranty...

thanks for your response

 

[nwjones18]

I buy cheapest battery with 1yr warranty. That always ends up being Walmart. I’ve only had 1 fail in under 3 yrs

 

[Nukeman7]

well I was more curious if buyers preferred saving some money but getting less warranty or whether warranty was worth the extra cost for peace of mind over the life of the battery…since many batteries (at least in this case) are made by the same manufacturer they may in fact even be the same battery…

thanks for your response

That decision probably varies based upon the individual's location, climate, experience/history, and risk aversion tolerance. For me, I almost always go with the cheap EverStart Value battery from WalMart for $80, especially if it is manufactured by East Penn. While it only has a 1 year replacement warranty, I've never gotten less than 5 years of service from the Value battery. FYI, I weighed and electrically tested the (24F size) EverStart Value battery against the mid-level EverStart Plus battery and they were identical. You are just paying $30 more for a 2 yr. warranty vs. 1 yr. warranty.

 

[blain450]

well I was more curious if buyers preferred saving some money but getting less warranty or whether warranty was worth the extra cost for peace of mind over the life of the battery…

I tend to lean towards the perceived value aspect of a purchase, in a situation like this.
My understanding is that AGM batteries are more reliable and longer lasting than flooded lead/acid batteries.
So I would base my purchase on that rather than an advertised warranty period or pure price difference.
My 2 cents.

 

[SC Maintenance]

well I was more curious if buyers preferred saving some money but getting less warranty or whether warranty was worth the extra cost for peace of mind over the life of the battery…since many batteries (at least in this case) are made by the same manufacturer they may in fact even be the same battery…

one choice has the better price by $34 bux while the other choices have better warranties but cost $34 and more for that warranty...

thanks for your response

@Nukeman7 was being polite. You should follow his link.

You can buy the same 3 year Clarios battery from Walmart for the same price with a full 3 year warrant (not pro-rated).

If your lucky dependent on state the Walmart battery might be an East Penn - serial starts with EP - which most here believe is better.

AGM is the same story but does introduce some other questions. If you have had good luck with FLA then you likely wish to stick with that.

 

[DCDG]

I think the deeper your dive you'll find out the more you pay for a battery you're buying a warranty. I have seen 24 month batteries last 60 months and 60 month batteries fail in 24 months. go figure.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I buy cheapest battery with 1yr warranty. That always ends up being Walmart. I’ve only had 1 fail in under 3 yrs

I did one when they were $55. I brought it home and tested and it was only 80% health. I got about 18 months out of it before its state of health declined enough to replace. Still was worth it to me, I usually only get 3 years out of the 3 year battery.

Possibly my experience was unlucky?

 

[billt460]

I buy cheapest battery with 1yr warranty. That always ends up being Walmart. I’ve only had 1 fail in under 3 yrs

I generally do the same. Where I live, along with the standard of driving I'm faced with, "premium" batteries are simply not worth the added expense. I keep all 3 of my vehicles on a battery tender because I drive them so infrequently.

I think this helps extend the battery life far more than paying for a higher cost battery that never seems to last any longer. And Walmart sells a lot of batteries, so you know you're getting a fresh one. Especially with the more common sizes.

 

[zzyzzx]

I am using a ~2 year old battery that only has a one year warranty (Advance Auto dual terminal that I'm not going to find at WalMart / Costco / Sam's) and I don't worry about it.

 

[nwjones18]

I did one when they were $55. I brought it home and tested and it was only 80% health. I got about 18 months out of it before its state of health declined enough to replace. Still was worth it to me, I usually only get 3 years out of the 3 year battery.

Possibly my experience was unlucky?

I test all of mine when I get home as well and they generally test above their rating. Often at the level of the everstart maxx... I've bought 10+ of them at this point and only had the one dud. Have had a couple go 6+ years.

 

[Tdbo]

Just buy the battery that has the best access to warranty that fits your pricepoint.
A few months ago, I was stranded by a < then one year old WM battery nowhere close to a WM, and ended up having to buy a NAPA to get home.
I now have a core sitting in my way in my carport, as the very nice guy that sold me the battery did some creative bookkeeping and left the core in the bed of my truck and did not charge me for it.
The Costco Interstates are nothing impressive. Out of the three that I have purchased, only one had any impressive longevity past the warranty.
My go to now is the NAPA legend.

 

[silversport]

hey guys and thanks…the point I was trying to get at was if you all thought saving money was worth it over paying more essentially for a warranty…most batteries near ChicagoLand (of the one’s I am looking at) are Clarios made...

you’ve shared your answers and it is appreciated

thanks...

 

[Capt W]

My primary concern with a new battery is buying something made in America. The flood of Chinese batteries over the past decade or so is just plain sad. The majority of batteries a few decades ago came from Johnson Controls or Exide. Now it's almost anyone's guess as to who makes what and it takes a bit of research to discover where each battery was actually made.

I don't replace strictly by time. The battery in our 2008 Charger is pushing 12 years old and is still fine. At the time I installed an AC Delco AGM replacement (94R) for $140.00. Still humming along.

Since the electrical systems on my vehicles are all in good shape I don't worry a great deal about warranties. I want the best made-in-USA battery for the price.

 

[SC Maintenance]

My primary concern with a new battery is buying something made in America. The flood of Chinese batteries over the past decade or so is just plain sad. The majority of batteries a few decades ago came from Johnson Controls or Exide. Now it's almost anyone's guess as to who makes what and it takes a bit of research to discover where each battery was actually made.

By law they must be marked if they are foreign made. Walmart and there suppliers follow this law.

A Walmart branded battery like Everstart will say "made in xxxx" on the sticker if not made in USA. I had one made in Spain years ago. It was actually pretty good, but I thought made in Spain was odd.

If there is not sticker you should be able to assume its made in USA. I don't know why they don't put that on, but they should.

 

[f355spider]

I lean toward AGMs just for the lower maintenance, sealed construction and typically (for me) longer life.
Since on the West Coast the Interstate AGM sold by Costco is the same as the AGM sold be Walmart, I have been purchasing them at Walmart simply for the four year free replacement warranty (Costco warranty is three years prorated). Note that all Clarios manufactured AGMs can come from any number of countries...USA, Korea, China, Mexico, or Germany (check the sticker on top). I only have experience with the USA (4 years old currently), German (7 years old currently) and Korea (three are 6 months to 2+ years old). All continue to give good service.

I had three American made Optima Red Top AGM batteries leak...each in less than three years. No more Optima for me.

Consumer Reports recently updated their testing and those Chinese Weize brand AGMs did pretty good in most sizes, including the H6/Group 48. The absolute top performing H6/Group 48 was the Odyssey...but they are spendy.

The only issue I have with Weize is they are typically sold through Amazon and reviews are mixed as people that have had a warranty issue had trouble getting a replacement from Weize. (Amazon only warranties for first 30 days). Read the 1 star reviews for their complaints with getting warranty assistance.

 

[Wheel366]

Did you look at Rock Auto? They carry Deka and they are supposed to be really good.

 

[billt460]

I lean toward AGMs just for the lower maintenance, sealed construction and typically (for me) longer life.

If your charging system comes from the factory set up for flooded lead acid, can you switch to AGM without issues?

 

[f355spider]

If your charging system comes from the factory set up for flooded lead acid, can you switch to AGM without issues?

I've done so for the past 25 years without issue. Some say you cannot....but Consumer Reports and several battery manufacturers say it's not a problem. But be aware that AGMs, while better performing, do not always last longer in a hot enviroment like AZ. Interstate says a flooded with removable caps may be better, so you can top them up. Sealed batteries you cannot easily top up and may end life a bit sooner.

I also don't have a preset time to replace an automotive battery. I have a couple different testers and test all my batteries at least a couple times a year. So far, I have never been left stranded or required a jump start in the past 20 years. (knock wood)

I know people claim a battery can randomly fail,... that may be, in the "universe" of possibilities, but I find unlikely. I can test a battery, and get "replace" on the screen (and low testing numbers), yet it still cranks fast and starts fine. I replace it immediately. I imagine this is the situation those folks are in. It is failing but giving no outward signs until they get the "click" and not a start.