1999 explorer no start

[RangerNutt]

Better to spend a little more (if keeping the vehicle) and get a good, USA-made one. The OEM battery lasted me 12 years, not because I took very good care of it, but bc it was quality...and any forgotten closed circuits were auto-opened after the 30 min, which eliminated deep discharges.

 

[J_C]

^ IMO you were just lucky or something, I've never gotten 12 yrs out of a flooded lead acid vehicle battery and looking through my records, the OEM battery for my '98 lasted just shy of 3 years at 32K mi.

Replacement was a Sears Diehard Gold, lasted just shy of 6 years, replaced with another Diehard Gold and only got 3.5 years (was getting warranty pro-rated replacements), then finally 6.5 years before that one was replaced with what it has now.

Went with a Walmart Everstart Maxx this time because all Sears stores near me had closed, plus their battery prices went up. So far have almost 5 yrs on the Everstart Maxx and expect to replace at the start of next winter - if it lasts through this winter, I doubt it would start in 15F temperature if let sit without running for a few days.

I could see if it was short trips decreasing battery lifespan, but it wasn't short trips, until the last/prior battery (and current one) that lasted the longest at 6.5 yrs which is kind of ironic.

 

[RangerNutt]

^ Haha, or u were unlucky.

IDK why there's so much variation in lifespan with these things. Deep discharges will kill them off for sure. Charging current higher than C/12 maybe... so many variables.

At 26 years, I'm on my third one. Not touching anything in the magic electrical system unless it breaks. (Same for the rest.)

 

[Mbrooks420]

Longest battery I ever had was 8 years, and was the original Ford battery in my first mountaineer.

 

[joney]

Sticker date was 12/21. Battery was dead on arrival. Picked a new Walmart replacement tonight...did bring my multi-meter to inspect...same date 12/21...12.76 volts. Installed in my 271k mile truck tonight and fired right up. Original engine.. Thanks again guys for all of your advice. My unlimited opinion guys: use LUCAS additives in every fluid/oil you can. I learned this lesson too late in life...Lucas products are awesome.

Glad it's working! BTW, have heard Lucas mentioned here often, can you advise how and where YOU use various Lucas products? Hoping to keep my X working as long as possible.

 

[J_C]

^ Haha, or u were unlucky.

Might be more climate related, while I only mentioned my '98 Explorer, my '14 Explorer only got about 4 years on the OEM battery, and other vehicles, around 5-6 years is typical for the highest capacity, aftermarket flooded cell option offered. This has been pretty consistent over several vehicles and decades, though I do think modern batteries have gotten a "little" better, maybe another year of service. Granted I mostly bought Sears Diehard Gold until recent years, then got some deals on Autozone JC made batteries, then WM Everstart Maxx... wanted to support Sears but they went under anyway. Darn shame... end of an era.