Need Battery Recommendations for my 99 XLT

[Weekend_Warrior]

Replacing the battery in my XLT - need something that is a good reliable battery. Have lots of electronics in the car to feed while driving, and take it too really cold weather often.

I don't know anything about batteries -if you couldn't tell- and I have searched the forum (but as you can imagine the term 'Battery' came up with a million results for threads that are not making recommendations).


Thanks!

-WW

 

[BubbaFL]

I've had great performance from an Optima Yellow Top - got five years out of it, and the battery is still good but one of the posts corroded out. My motor was a V6 SOHC.

Check the specs - not sure if the yellow tops that will fit in an Ex have enough cranking amps for cold climates or V8 engines.

A Red Top might work better for you - more cranking amps, but less ability to run electronics with the engine off.

FWIW, for my wife's Windstar, I bought the biggest marine / rv deep cycle battery I could find at the local auto parts store. Can run the headlights, kids dvd players, etc, for a couple of hours and still has enough juice to get 'er started.

 

[BurnTheLight88]

Optima does make good batteries (yellow and red top) but the main point is just to get the most cold cranking amps you can find in a battery that will still fit in that location. You can never have too much power from the battery, so just go big.

 

[Weekend_Warrior]

The store down the way has an optima with a CCA of 800, and a Super Start Extreme battery with a CCA of 850. The Super start is $80 cheaper too. ($114 vs 195)

 

[BubbaFL]

The store down the way has an optima with a CCA of 800, and a Super Start Extreme battery with a CCA of 850. The Super start is $80 cheaper too. ($114 vs 195)

I haven't heard of that brand, but that's a great price for an AGM battery. I would give it a shot if they stocked them around here!

 

[celly]

My Yellow Top served me just fine earlier this winter during a very cold snap (pushing -30C) and forgot to plug in the block heater. It's a few years old now and I have a V8.
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[Gabe96Explorer]

Optima RED TOP. You won't find any better before buying crazy expensive marine batteries.

 

[Paraphoe]

I've been a Die Hard guy for years. Love the Warranty. I recently put in a Platinum and the thing is a beast. I'm powering an excessive amount of acessories, and haven't had any issues at all - and its kicked over all winter like it was 75 degrees out. A little pricey, but I got mine at half off because of the pro-rated warranty on the previous one when it kicked the bucket.

My only advice if you go this route would be to install yourself, the jokers at Sears have no idea what they're doing.

 

[Paraphoe]

Side note to help you using the search function - use the keyword "Battery" but select "search thread titles only" from the dropdown, and you should get results that are a LOT more relevant.

 

[section525]

My Red Top has taken a lot of abuse since 2005. I'm looking to replace it with a dual setup here shortly. Probably go Optima again.

 

[1AJeremyD]

I've had good luck with my Yellow top I got over a year ago. Thing has taken some abuse. Just gotta upgrade the alternator to get everything up to par.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I must be the odd man out, I've had horrible luck with Optimas. Two red tops and a blue top marine that all died way too soon.

I'm running the Duralast gold from Autozone, it's fine.