Battery Life

[Nicaraguense]

The Batt that really Sucks

I work at Auto Zone, and I can tell you that the AC Delco side post battery is the worst of them all. It lasts 3 years (maybe 4 I have seen only 2 that have lived 5 years) and it dies. Usually the positive side post just falls of when you take the cable off if you don't know what you are doing. Half the time it is leaking anyways. On a 6 hr. shift I usually can't make it without changing at least one. Usually when a costomer comes in with a GM vehicle asking for a battery test, and it looks like a fairly new vehicle the first thing I ask ¿2000 model? Most of the time they say yes, or 99'. I tell them right then before I even get out side that it is probably the battery.
But, thank God for Ford and we don't have to worry about that. Ford tends to use a heaver duty stronger battery than anyone else. Infact of the (I think 3) kinds of batteries that Ford uses, they all cost $5 more than the rest of them in my store (65 series, I know does 58 series I know does and it seems like there is one other) They usually do last 5 to 6 years from what I see.

 

[old mechanic]

3-4 years. If you have a battery that you can add water to and know what to do you can have a new battery every time just before your full warranty is up! Old trick, still works! Hell, you pay for 2 anyway so why not get 2???

 

[Bashman]

Original battery lasted 5 yrs. When I bought the truck in '98 the Ford dealer left the light s on and completely drained the battery and it never recovered from it so they replaced it with another (bigger) one. It is still going (5+yrs) even though it has recently been completely discharged twice.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

9 years!

I just replaced my OEM 1994 motorcraft battery with the Top O The Line Die Hard. It was still working well but starting to show signs of weakness on cold morning starts.

Gotta love that 'Limited' battery saver option!

 

[ALLOUTWAR13]

I use and optima red top and its going on 1 year but the original battery lasted like 3 years. And i have a question does anyone know if 2 optimas will fit in the stock tray? i measured and in theory 2 red tops will but i want a yellow for running a winch,lights,etc is the yellow any bigger? does nayone have a dual set up?

 

[Spdrcer34]

I just replaced a 9 y.o. Optima. One day it was ALL THERE. The next it wasn't.

Great Batteries! Needless to say, I replaced it with ANOTHER Optima.

Ryan

 

[griggs]

Don't add water to a Motorcraft Battery! My 50% life Motorcraft Battery was working good but seemed like it needed water. There was NO INDICATION it was a maintenance free type so I topped off the cells with distilled H2O. Well, guess what, a few days later - battery no good. Fortuneately, Ford made good on the warrantee for a new Motorcraft Battery - bless their hearts. And, guess what - NO INDICATION on the new battery that it is too a maintenance free type - and shop said don't ever add water. Gulp! Just my experience. Use as you see fit. R/Jerry

 

[spindlecone]

The two Optimas in my moter home are both 8 yrs old and work as new, of course the R.V has an always on Trickle charger so maybe thats why.
Left my fogs on in the garage for two days with the trac,Did'nt phase my yellow top.

 

[Critical_Level2]

Mine is still the original battery and is almost six years old. No problem starting yet, just alot of blueish acid/corrosion build up on the terminals, but Winter is upon us, so it will probably die soon.

 

[tenikiwon]

Yellow Top

I currently think I have one of my Yellow Tops dead after less than a year. Granted I've abused the hell out of it, but we'll see. Goes in tomorrow.

 

[thewishkah]

1-2 years I run the radio with the X off , I have alot of draw off of it too, stereo, p.a. system, a 1,000,000cp light always on charge even while car is off, then i have my strobes, rear deck, and grill lights , along with the 200w siren speaker, I use the AutoZone Duralast's don't remember the exact # but it has a decent amount of power. It has a 3 year warranty so when it dies within the 2 years I bring it back and for no charge I get a new one. Cant complain about a new batt for no charge every 2 years.

 

[Ian's 91ex]

Just did mine yesterday. The last one was in aug 01. Can't complain, hella's, amp, lots of wheeling, and it's been submerged a couple of times. I replaced it because it was "Showing signs". when it wasn't started for a week it needed a boost. I Left the dome lite on for 2 hours and it was dead.