Auto Batteries--where to buy?

Domenick

Domenick

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Domenick
My truck's (V6 engine) battery is toast. It'll hold a charge for a few days, then *click* *click* *click* and I have to boost it.

In the past I would get my batteries at Sears. I don't remember where I got the current battery. Any recommendations for sources would be appreciated.
 
All auto batteries are made by the same two or three parent companies anymore, and they've all gone downhill in quality/longevity. The pricier units are hardly any different from the bottom-shelf ones of the same size/group, you're mostly just paying for a longer warranty.

Buy from wherever you get the best warranty, and invest in a charger/maintainer to give it a good full charge now and then, especially in the winter. I get mine from Walmart and have had good luck with them.
 
doesn't really matter, the cheapest battery will last long enough to be worth it, best probably the same. I got a pretty good deal at costco for my most recent battery. think it was a H7 or H8
 
O'Reilly auto parts has highly rated Super start AGM Batteries (as per consumer reports) and will even install and dispose of old battery. Bought two for my Ram 2500, so far so good!
 
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I've been using Costco batteries for many years. Happy with them, but of course it's been many years since I've used a battery from anywhere else, so I've no recent comparisons.
 
If I want something higher quality I get an Interstate, otherwise I just get the cheapest/most convenient option which is usually wal-mart or the local farm store. I have too many vehicles and I buy a lot of batteries- how they're used seems to have more to do with how long they last than anything. If it's in something driven regularly and the battery isn't allowed to go flat a cheap one will generally last for many years without trouble. If it sits for a long time with no maintainer or gets fully discharged a few times a top quality one won't hold up.
 
Car parts chains are usually the most convenient, IMO. Park in front of the door, pull the old one, walk 20 feet to the counter, swap for a new one, and be on your way. They'll even loan you a tool cart. Most carry 3 quality/price levels. They all come from the same factories, so not worth over thinking it.
 
I like the RED TOP AGM battery. I have a 5 year old YELLOW TOP battery that is starting to loose it. In the mornings is’ll read 11.5 volts, but still have enough amps to start my 2016 truck.
 
Anyone have a junkyard nearby?
 
I was a fan of Batteries+ because they had a bank of chargers and would keep all the batteries on their shelf topped up. Sadly the one near me has closed shop. Maybe there are still some around I don't know.

Anyway, I noticed that they charged their inventory after I had learned the expensive way about self-discharge rates in my toys (camper and boat). The harm that'll do to a flooded lead acid battery, so I would be reluctant to buy from any place that doesn't move inventory quickly and didn't keep their batteries topped up.

Regardless, not such a big deal for AGM.

Now days I'd probably just go to the autozone around the corner if I'm in a hurry (just because it's close), or to costco if I had a little more time
 
Have had 30+ years of excellent service with Walmart batteries. I did watch the Project Farm video, not sure if this will change things yet.

Having spent much of my early driving years in the desert southwest far from civilization I have treated batteries like a wear item. I would buy a low to mid tier battery and just replace it after 3 years before it had the opportunity to let me down. I know I left money on the table with this strategy but never died in the desert either.

Now that there are small cheap lithium jump starters I keep one in each vehicle. I don’t replace batteries on a strict schedule any longer but the very first time it shows any sign of deterioration or I have to jump start the car I use the jump starter to get home and immediately replace the battery.
 
We have a long time local battery shop that sells AC Delco and Motorcraft parts. I have been buying battery's from them for 35 years for my fleet of trucks and cars at work.
When they are not open I buy em from O reillys. It helps on pricing that a hi school buddy manages the store.
I can't believe how expensive they now. Last Saturday my wife helped me out by picking one up for our mustang at the last minute. It was not cheap.
 
AV8R_87 said:
Not anymore:

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This. More expensive batteries like Interstate - are a better deal in the long run. I have friends who work there. You should read the comments underneath that video - pretty eye-opening.
 
The last couple batteries for my old plane were Duracell AGM from Batteries plus. They lasted 7 years. For the car, I've bought from Walmart recently with satisfactory results.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Car parts chains are usually the most convenient, IMO. Park in front of the door, pull the old one, walk 20 feet to the counter, swap for a new one, and be on your way. They'll even loan you a tool cart. Most carry 3 quality/price levels. They all come from the same factories, so not worth over thinking it.
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^This. It's so convenient at AdvanceAuto/Oreillys... Usually get front and center parking cuz they're rarely busy, and you can drop the battery on the counter and do the install in the parking lot.
... And... if for some reason I buy the wrong battery, not that I did that last year or anything, I can just walk back in and exchange it for the right one :)
 
def agree with above, they'll even help you change the battery.
 
I generally run Odyssey AGM batteries in most of my vehicles. They made the Sears Platinum batteries long ago when Sears was still around. Been happy so far, and they have a pretty solid warranty if you need it. AutoZone carries them in stock for most common sizes. I don't mind wally world batteries for stuff like the riding lawnmower or jet ski which go through batteries often enough anyway due to low usage, even when left on trickle chargers.
 
Triple A if you're a member... they come out, install it, and haul the old one away... little more than COSTCO, but more convenient.
 
The batteries (lead-acid) that were in our golf cart when we bought it lasted a total of 10 years. The next set made it to 2-1/2 or three before needing replacement. The current set barely hit two years before getting weak quickly. Now that they’re 2-1/2, they’re good for less than three miles - and nowhere near the speed they used to produce - before being nearly dead. And of course each set has been costlier than the previous one.

I follow the recommended practices for charging and maintenance. The newer batteries are just lower quality. One guy said he thinks it’s partly due to using recycled, and thus less pure/lower quality, lead for the plates.

I was going to convert to lithium, as several neighbors have done. $700-ish for a single 48 volt LiFePO4 that holds a charge several times as long and has better power output, as well as a couple hundred pounds lighter. Bzzt! Wrong! Our cart has a crossbrace that prevents that one from fitting. The only ones that seem to fit ours without cutting and welding the frame (which I am totally not competent to do) go for two grand.
 
Just bought a Group 58 from Menards. Walmart price was $117, but $124 at Menards with 11% rebate comes out cheaper.

Take a voltmeter wherever you end up going, buy the one with the highest voltage, take it home, and charge it or go for a long drive.

Trickle charging tiny batteries over winter is a good way to roach them. Better to trickle them for a few days and let them rest for weeks. Monitor voltage. Trickle only when needed. If you’re going to be away for a season, set the charger on a timer and charge a couple hours daily. My 2 cents.
 
ateamer said:
The next set made it to 2-1/2 or three before needing replacement. The current set barely hit two years before getting weak quickly. Now that they’re 2-1/2, they’re good for less than three miles - and nowhere near the speed they used to produce - before being nearly dead.
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Unfortunately you live in a very unfriendly place for batteries.

battery life zones.PNG
 
ateamer said:
The batteries (lead-acid) that were in our golf cart when we bought it lasted a total of 10 years. The next set made it to 2-1/2 or three before needing replacement. The current set barely hit two years before getting weak quickly. Now that they’re 2-1/2, they’re good for less than three miles - and nowhere near the speed they used to produce - before being nearly dead. And of course each set has been costlier than the previous one.
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Ever since they closed the only lead mine in the US battery quality has gone down. That and COVID didn't help much either. I had a group of 12 4D batteries all fail in less than 20 months. The 8Ds did better. But not as good as they used to be. I am hoping some of those quality problems have been worked out by now.
 
I get mine at Batteries+Bulbs. You get a discount if you "order" it online and pick it up in the store.
 
That map shows Houston and New Orleans in the same heat zone as Las Vegas. I have to wonder how they came up with that. Probably the misery index.
 
I seem to get 24-30 months from a battery no matter if it is the “premium” battery or the cheap base model.
 
Bill said:
I seem to get 24-30 months from a battery no matter if it is the “premium” battery or the cheap base model.
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I got over 15 YEARS (!) from the oem battery in my Dodge pickup. When it finally went TU I called the dealer hoping to get another just like it but was told that they buy batteries from a variety of manufacturers and they couldn't tell who made mine. I could find no markings of any kind on the battery. Go figure.

Tim
 
there's a guy with a YT channel called project farm....he does a great job of testing and comparing brands of almost everything....he recently did episode on car bats and rated most common brands... real informative. ...
 
I assume you've checked for "vampire" loads when the vehicle is turned off, right?
 
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