How long is a battery to last?

[DerekTJeep]

Some one told me 2-5 years. Other person told me 3-7 months. I am trying to be accurate.

Derek

[tuckers89GW]

I've had many that lasted for at least 5 years. Depends on how it is maintained and used. I've also had brand new ones go bad in a week.

[BK]

Usually a standard 5 year is good for more than that but I get rid of them at the 5 year mark. I've also had some of those great 7 year jobs go bad in 3, and everything tuckers says too.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Indeed batteries are a strange animal. They can go well before their time, and some seem to go well beyond their expected life. I would say, that a good quality battery, if kept charged and not overworked, should get a solid 5 year service life. I always change them out early, since I've had batteries that worked great all of a sudden die with no warning, around the end of their life expectancy.

My battery brand of preferance has always been Interstate.

Stay away from Exide - which can often come under the Napa or Carquest (insert chain name here), which leak acid horribly and have a short life.

[turtlejoe]

Keep in mind that 80% of all domestically produced car batteries are made by one company - Johnson Controls.

Here in Texas with the long, hot summers, batteries don't last as long as the label suggests. Batteries that get beat up a lot will also not last as long, which is why the Optima types are popular upgrades for off road vehicles.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Optima is very good from what I hear - I was mentioning more "off the shelf" types rather than a high grade aftermarket type such as that.

Where did you hear Johnson Controls makes 80% of car batteries?? Wow, that's news to me. While in theory they are all similar, there seems to be alot of differences among the brands.. I thought Interstate made their own batteries too - maybe they're in that 20%...

[greasyjeep]

I usually go to sears and buy the highest CCA I could find that will fit.
I would say 5-6 years, but I've never owned a car long enough to find out.
I think a lot of it depends on the condition of the cars electrical system.

What ya doing that you need to know?

[Zacko]

Vibration, temp extremes, over charge and excessive draw are the big killers of batteries. We had a forklift at a previous job that had been inside all of its life and was nearly 30 years old on the original battery. Extreme yes, but it shows what a friendly environment does.
Generally 4X4's aren't considered too friendly.
You get what you pay for. There is a reason why the $29.95 batteries only have a 2 year warranty. I agree with greasyjeep buy the biggest battery that fits from a store that will be there when it goes bad, and preferrably from a place who has stores in the places you like to go.

[turtlejoe]

Anti-Chrysler: I worked for Johnson Controls for a short time after they bought Prince Corp. (automotive interiors) in Holland, MI. That 80% was a surprise to me too, but keep in mind that they're built to the customers specifications. Die Hard, Monkey Ward's, OEM batteries - all made by JCI but all having very different qualities. :D

Edit: Take a look at what they make at http://www.jci.com/bg/products/products.htm

[ May 15, 2003, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: turtlejoe ]

[Don S]

...
... I bought my first Optima in 1996 and replaced it out of the Waggie 'bout six months ago because it was seven years old. I just went out into the garage and put the volt meter on it and it showed 12 volts. I think I might just put it back in and see if it will still crank the 401.

... The OEM batteries in my 99 WJ and 99 Frontier lasted three and a half years. Now these three 4x4s have new Optima Batteries.

Good Luck.. http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/smiley-faces-28.gifand hope to CUL
Don S..

[GasWag]

If anything you can keep the old battery in your garage so when you need some juice from a jump or something you have a spare battery. Im going with an optima red top per my battery now looks like a motorcycle battery. Will also be getting a new + battery cable. Good luck

[gsmikie]

i am running 5 Optima's in all the car/trucks here 2 with winches 2 with generator/powerplants 120/130 degrees in the summer and i have had no problems in 7 years

[GasWag]

5 optimas??? wow you have some serious coin there buddy.....since your an expert or at least used optimas.... which is better overall Red or Yellow, I know that the yellow is better for like extra accesories but am I just better off with the Red top, wont have a winch or 10,000 watt sound system or anything.