So it was int he shop the other day and besides not fixing what I asked and deciding to update my ECM to some program to help Them with Maint but has dropped my MPG 1.5 MPG they also did a load test. I know what a load test is and have used them in the past. They are the Org OEM batteries and are 3 years old with 45K miles on them but have always worked and never even given a hint that they are weak. They say they failed the load test and need to be replaced. They were willing to do this for me for around $400. I declined as I have had no problems. But, ever since the day after picking it up it will barely crank. It looks like they cleaned my post for me and they are tight.
Any ideas beside just buying new batteries? No I will not be buying them from Ford so what batteries do you guys suggest? I can get Optima from Amazon for $140 each and free shipping.

 

the factory tester they should be using should in no way damage batteries. I have found that the rotunda tester is a great unit in fact and pretty much one of the most accurate on the market.
its not the old style carbon pyle unit of days gone buy.

so far as batteries go. motorcraft is hard to beat. 3 year free and 100 moth prorate at iirc $1.50 a month and free roadside . I ust dont think that can be beat by anyone.

 

So it was just dumb luck that everything was fine before they touched it? Sounds Hookie but nothing can be done about it. I had already decided not to use that dealership again. Seems every time I go in, within a couple weeks I start getting phone calls and letters from companies telling me my warranty is about to expire and I should send then money to extend it. Their sales department also thinks they should call me 3-4 times to make sure I don't want to trade my truck in. I told them last time if they gave me $75,000 trade in I would be right up there and until they would to stop calling.

 

Remember that the batteries have to be installed by the dealership to get the free roadside, otherwise they are hard to beat as far as price and reliability goes.

 

For the cost of the dealership doing it I could buy a third battery. I have AAA so they do road side for free (well I already pained I know) and will actually show up within a hour. Last time I called Ford for my Road side it took them 3 hours to get someone out to me. I ended up calling a Tow truck on my own and he was done and leaving when Fords guy showed up. The driver told me that he had a call come in and Fords calls take a back seat to Full Pay customers. From a business stand point that is great but from the stand point of waiting in the Arizona heat it sucks.

So back to the question about which batteries to buy. Is the Motorcraft a better battery then say the Optima?

 

We are always replacing optima batteries in the shop. There's been many customers fall in your same situation, and we tell them they will be happier with motorcraft batteries... And they are happier next time they come in with a battery/ alternator problem.. My opinion would be motorcraft! Best warranty for a battery. I've heard more negatives about optima than motorcraft....

 

I would suggest calling around to a different dealer. I know we install batteries for 15.95 ea.

 

Optima batteries are now made in Mexico, and I dont know what changed in their process, but today's optima's, are not as good as old optima's. I did a search online when I needed batts, and was alway's a fan of interstate batteries, and my search showed that the same ppl that make interstates make alot of the "better" batteries. I ended up with the high end Duralasts. Knowing what I know now, I woulda bought the Motorcraft for less money, better battery.

 

thing with motorcraft batteries, they may not be the best on the market.. I dont really know who is. I know that there warranty is tough to beat.

 

Get a nice pair of interstate batteries!

 

Lots of good info here, completely agree about Optima batteries. They advertise their ability to be mounted sideways and their shock resistence, none of which apply in a stock pickup.

Good quality lead-acid batteries will last for years and are reasonably priced compared to dry cell and AGM batteries. What's not to like?

 

So my dealership has the OEM Batteries at the best price and surprisingly they have a better warranty then the Interstate so I will grab those. Ford also sent me a $10 off coupon so that is even better.