Battery life?

[Rotorhead]

So how long do you guys think the original battery should last? I am the original owner of my 05 ST and have had the car for 5 years and 1 month. Brought the car in to the dealer for the 60,000 mile scheduled maintenance thinking that with everything else (oil change, tire rotation, air & fuel filter change, tranny flush, etc etc) that I would get a multi-point inspection just like the maintenance guide says.

When I get to the dealership to pick up the vehicle, I asked how the battery looked. The maintenance rep said that if it tested below the standard, I would have been told such. I asked to see the multi-point inspection grade sheet and was told "we don't do that anymore". I have owned Fords for a long time, and cannot remember when I did not get a grade sheet. No where on my receipt does it say that a multi-point inspection was performed. The only thing I have is the word of the maintenance rep that one was completed. Should I be concerned?

I recently moved to my area, and this was the first time that I brought the car to this dealership. r

Thanks for any of your opinions...

 

[600remguy]

I like that Stone colour. A properly cared for battery, IMHO, should last at least 10 years. Having just purchased my first vehicle in 10 years, I see they now have alot more demand on the battery when the engine isn't running. This may affect the life somewhat as I'm not use to the newer models. I had an Excide battery that was well used when I got it, used it for 9 years, murdering it 6 times to where it wouldn't power a light, and it always seem to come right back to life and still going strong.

 

[bdmaash]

depends on environmental conditions
if the battery goes through lots of heat/cold cycles the plates will warp and short out eventually.
5 years is good here, not sure where you are.

 

[movieguy73]

depends on environmental conditions
if the battery goes through lots of heat/cold cycles the plates will warp and short out eventually.
5 years is good here, not sure where you are.

ya id say a good rule is 5yrs.
there only $100. why wait for it not to charge after leaving the lights on.
if these new cars even let you do that any more.
lol

 

[rhauf]

i replace my battery when the car doesn't start anymore. if i had money to waste, i'd replace it when it starts cranking slower.

under normal (on-road only) conditions, if the battery is always kept charged, it may last up to 10 years if it's a very, very good quality battery (oem, etc). the cheap-o batteries on the other hand may only last a couple years. if the battery is drained a lot it will reduce it's life. also, if the battery is shook around a lot (offroad use) that will reduce its life.

 

[unclemeat]

I had to replace the battery in my 05 X last year. It lasted almost 5-years. Normal for a stock battery.

 

[JohnnyO]

In my experience, after four years batteries are on borrowed time.

 

[Pheonixx77]

I have a 2002 sport trac with 77k miles i have the factory battery. I live in western NY where the winters here are so cold and the snow is so bad even Santa Claus thinks twice. seriously though i will in all likely hood replace my battery before this winter. It tested as good when i bought the truck (about 2 weeks ago) but i don't relish the thought of being stuck at 9pm when the temp is 10 degrees before the windchill. Especially when i work at Tractor Supply, and we sell batterys lol.

batterys are good as long as you don't abuse them. Draining them and recharging them shorten the life of a battery. If you have a high powered stereo and haven't upgraded your alternator and battery your asking for trouble. In that case you will in all likely hood replace an alternator every two years or less (depending on the pull of the amp). You can spot this if your lights dim a little when the bass hits with or without the a/c or heat running. You can lessen that with a capacitor. ok ive gone off on a tangent.... best bet is get your battery tested, any tractor supply, repair shop, autozone, pep boys, advance auto etc can test them, and usually for free. If the battery tests as weak or bad replace it. dont hope its gonna start your truck when you need it, know it will.

btw dont go cheap, get a battery with a replacement warranty. you can get a good battery for 70-100 bucks with a couple years of replacement and a couple years of prorated warranty without even trying.

 

[Rotorhead]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I will take the vehicle somewhere for a free battery check.

Right now, the battery is showing no signs of weakness, and the car is not driven off road or in any unique driving conditions, but it has been through 4 harsh winters in Massachusetts without being in a garage over that time.

Other than the Motorcraft battery, what else is recommended? Die Hard?

To be honest, I am slightly annoyed about the multi-point inspection thing...I have no confidence that one was done the more I think about it.

 

[Pheonixx77]

if you got to tractor supply and see "traveler" brand its just a store brand made by exide, they make decent batterys. batterys are pretty much you get what ya pay for kind of items.

 

[Gus Gorilla]

I'm not sure on the battery but the answer of "we don't do that anymore" from the service writer is a load of $h!t If you ask for something like that it should be available. What, did the tech just do the bajillion point inspection from memory then memorize the results of the testing and write "it's good" on the R/O? I'm raising the B.S. flag on them. I bet you got an oil change, dipstick check on the trans and a pat on the rump out the door. I'd call it lucky if he knows what color your air filter is.

 

[Explorer Junky]

I have had a lot of good luck with my batteries. When I replaced the Original from my 97 EX it had over 80,0000 miles on it. I replaced the OEM battery with a Die Hard! Lasted over 5 years, and I go hunting and it gets bounced around alot and I have a high power stereo running two amps. You get what you pay for.

 

[JohnnyO]

Consumer Reports tested batteries a couple years ago and the Die Hard was at the bottom of the pack. The better Duralast battery at Auto Zone finished well, also the better model at Wal-Mart, I forget the name. Heat will kill a battery as much as cold.

 

[Explorer Junky]

Consumer Reports tested batteries a couple years ago and the Die Hard was at the bottom of the pack. The better Duralast battery at Auto Zone finished well, also the better model at Wal-Mart, I forget the name. Heat will kill a battery as much as cold.

I know people who tried the cheap way at those 2 stores and were constantly having to return them even after buying the "Better" battery they offered and even getting stranded while hunting in the woods with those things. I go by my personal experiences with these types of things. From MY own personal experiences, Die Hard has been the best. Also hear Optimum is pretty reliable also. A little pricey, but reliable. MY Dad has always used Die Hard and had no issues and had long life with them. I also have friends of the family that will swear by them.. but, I digress.

 

[swshawaii]

Consider the sealed AGM DieHard Platinum. 930 CCA, 135 minute reserve, 4 year free exchange, 8 year prorated warranty.
Adapters are not needed to install unlike the odd shaped Optima, it drops right in, and also has a strong carrying handle.
$189 every day at Sears, about what you would pay for an Optima Yellow Top, or comparable high end battery.
The difference is Sears stores are everywhere, for service or exchange. No regrets whatsover, and it looks like it belongs under my hood.

 

[bdmaash]

that sears one sounds good, I've had my optima yellow for 8 years, first in a ranger with loud stereo, now moved into the sport trac for the last 2.x years.
No ford factory thermal jacket on it, ambient temps cycle range -40f to +95f

 

[Rotorhead]

Battery died couple days ago. Luckily at the house. Lasted almost 78,000 miles at 6 years 10 months since I've owned it. Put in a Motorcraft one.

 

[marc0123]

First of all stop goaing to dealers after the warranty, they very often do poorer jobs and inspection the crappy garages...
I have a 2002 ST and changed the battery at 205,000 KILOS (originak batt) and it was still good. I just didn't what to take any chances with the cold weather in canada...

 

[Rotorhead]

Couple weeks ago the battery light was coming on once in a while. Without boring everyone to death, it was the alternator. Had it replaced and the light has stopped coming on. Vehicle had 86,250 miles on it.

A friend at work told me that it could have been due to the fact that I was driving around with a weak battery for a while. But that was over 10 months ago and I had been driving around with the new battery ever since.

How long should an alternator last? Wife's car has 120,000 miles and just wondering if I am on borrowed time with that one. That car has had two batteries.