How often do you replace your car battery?

5,415 Views | 41 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by JBLHAG03
bigtruckguy3500
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Mine required a jump last October, and then again yesterday. Both times I went to an auto parts store and got the battery tested, and they said it doesn't need replacement. As far as I know I didn't leave anything on that could drain the battery.

Battery is a little over 4 years old, so I figure it might need replacing soon anyways.
OldArmy71
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sts7049
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4 years is a long time in texas heat
Wildmen03
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I average 4 years on mine, but they are practically dead and unchargeable when I replace them. A good maintenance interval would have been three years, I'm just lazy.
Waltonloads08
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I don't know if I've ever had a battery last longer than 3 years. I buy middle grade.
Old Tom Morris
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3-4 years. Once it's that old and flashing some signs of weakness (or testing weak), I usually replace in hopes of avoiding reaching the point I get stuck needing a jump.
clarythedrill
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My wifes 2014 Silverado is on its original battery, and it still cranks like a champ. It has spent just under three years in Texas and a little over a year in Chicago. Extreme heat and extreme cold and it is doing fine. So far anyways.
aggieforester05
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Usually about three years, but I just got five out of the Optima Red Top in my Mustang. The first truck I ever had was a '93 F-250 diesel and had the original batteries in it when I sold it in 2001.
sts7049
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just be ready for that "i'm stranded" phone call
clarythedrill
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sts7049 said:

just be ready for that "i'm stranded" phone call
Ya, I think this winter my be the end of its life. Since I travel so much, I may replace it before winter sets in up here just in case.
Macarthur
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Ive gone through 3 Honda Oem batteries in less than a year on two vehicles. Reading the internet, Honda has been having lots of battery issues. Not sure who makes theirs but I went to Costco and got an 8nterstate this last time.
Sazerac
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I usually change them when they fail under warranty, so less than 3 yrs

The Lexus battery has a 7 yr warranty - which is crazy - but it's prorated after 2.
Picard
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3 years if they last that long. Honda does not.

So maybe I could get 4 years out of a battery if I press my luck. But why? That's a savings of $40. Big deal. I'll gladly pay $40 to not be stranded, or have the wife/kids stranded.
dubi
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2 years for Honda batteries.

3-4 years for everything else. I have a 2 mile commute which is tough on batteries.
garyt73
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OEM Toyota, I always get more than 72 months. I replace those with the 60 month batteries from Walmart. Full replacement for 3 years then prorated for 2. Those always have made it 4, sometimes 5 years.
AggieBaseball06
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I had an OEM Toyota battery that lasted from when I bought the truck in Dec 2006 until Jan 2016.
Tree Hugger
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The OEM in my 2010 Sierra lasted 6.5 years. I replaced it with a mid-grade from VatoZone.
Fightin_Aggie
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bigtruckguy3500 said:

Mine required a jump last October, and then again yesterday. Both times I went to an auto parts store and got the battery tested, and they said it doesn't need replacement. As far as I know I didn't leave anything on that could drain the battery.

Battery is a little over 4 years old, so I figure it might need replacing soon anyways.
If it is over 2 years old and has any sort of hiccup I would replace it. I would replace at 4 years old whether it needed it or not.

The Texas heat tends to kill batteries and I can't afford to be left stranded. Especially high amperage batteries because they have more cells than the lower amperage batteries.

The cathode and anodes expand with the heat and can deform over time which can cause a short.

I typically don't get the cheapest battery that I can (although it has been suggested to do so because they have fewer cells and lower amperage so they or less prone to shorting in the Texas heat) and I don't by the most expensive battery (most cells, most prone to shorting in the Texas heat). I typically by a middle of the road battery that has the required amperage for my make or model of vehicle.



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Complete Idiot
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I don't keep cars long enough to know.
OldArmy71
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When it comes time, what battery do we recommend for my 2016 F150?
bigtruckguy3500
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Went ahead and replaced it with a EverStart battery from Walmart. 3 year full replacement and another 2 year pro-rated replacement.
lexofer
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The OEM battery in a car I bought in 2009 just gave out last year. Almost exactly 8 years and 190k miles it lasted.
Gigemags05
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My Wife's original battery in her 2008 4runner lasted until 2014. And now, the battery we replaced it with is still going. I think I am going to go ahead and swap it out to avoid the above mentioned "stranded" phone call. But it really isn't showing any signs of failing. Its a midgrade battery.

My 2011 F250 has had batteries replaced 2 times. Once in 2013 when it was bought used and once in 2017.

My 1980 CJ7 got a new battery in 2013 when I swapped the engine and I just replaced it last month.

My 47 Ford Truck just got a brand new battery that I am interested to see how long it lasts. It has quite a bit more cranking amps than required for my engine, but is pretty danged small due to size constraints.
Jethro95
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Walmart is what I've been doing for years. I've gotten at least 3 free replacements and their system doesn't seem to track the original purchase date when they give you a new one so the 3 year period starts over again. AutoZone does track this. Also, with Walmart there's always one close by if you have trouble.
AgCPA95
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Anyone use the AAA battery service? My work pays for AAA but have never used them for that.
OldArmy71
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I have been a AAA member for about 15 years. I have used the service once. They installed a battery in my 2005 F150 that worked fine. I don't remember the brand.
agnerd
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03 Sierra in Houston

OEM lasted 4 years
Walmart lasted 5 years
Walmart lasted 6 years

Should get 7 out of current walmart battery, right?
1agswitchin4lanes
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AgCPA95 said:

Anyone use the AAA battery service? My work pays for AAA but have never used them for that.
My experience is AAA batteries are garbage.

I have been buying mostly Costco Interstate batteries now.

Walmart and AZ batteries are also Johnson Controls. Good stuff.
1agswitchin4lanes
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dubi said:

2 years for Honda batteries.

3-4 years for everything else. I have a 2 mile commute which is tough on batteries.
Using a battery tender once a week overnight to keep it topped off will do wonders for you.
dubi
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1agswitchin4lanes said:

dubi said:

2 years for Honda batteries.

3-4 years for everything else. I have a 2 mile commute which is tough on batteries.
Using a battery tender once a week overnight to keep it topped off will do wonders for you.
Yeah yeah yeah.....

I know.

It is easier to just buy a damn battery.
AgEng06
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Too damn often... https://texags.com/forums/46/topics/2979931
Splitag
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Complete Idiot said:

I don't keep cars long enough to know.
User name checks out.
Complete Idiot
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Splitag said:

Complete Idiot said:

I don't keep cars long enough to know.
User name checks out.


Completely accurate. I'll buy some near-bottom of depreciation curve vehicle, throw in a yellow top not even know if prior battery was bad, and other add ons, then sell in two years. It's....weird.
APHIS AG
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bigtruckguy3500 said:

Mine required a jump last October, and then again yesterday. Both times I went to an auto parts store and got the battery tested, and they said it doesn't need replacement. As far as I know I didn't leave anything on that could drain the battery.

Battery is a little over 4 years old, so I figure it might need replacing soon anyways.
Never trust an auto parts store battery tester for it only test voltage and not amperage. I had a battery that tested OK, only to find out after I replaced it anyway that it was the battery.

Also, I also had aother battery replaced and installed by the auto parts store and my truck still would not start, after 45 minutes of the store clerks telling me that the battery was not the problem, I finally convinced them to change out the 'new" battery.

It was the battery and at which time the clerk turned to me and stated "well, that has never happened before".

I stopped going to that auto parts store.
Sweet Kitten Feet
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Woke up to a dead one this morning in our van. It's been just over 3 years for this one. Jump got me to work, but will likely need a jump this afternoon to get home. Will replace tonight.
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