i just upgraded mine because i had an optima in my 05. i put the optima in the 05 when the battery in that truck gave out. so when i got my 09 i just switched the 2 batteries since my 05 is totaled. i surely wasnt gonna let the insurance people take my $150 battery.

 

Because when that 540 decides to quit working, it will do so with no warning. Who knows, you might be 30 miles up in the mountains when it decides to quit working. Trust me, my first one died and I'd driven somewhere a couple of hours earlier and it had started just fine.

 

I just don't see the reasoning for going smaller with a growing amount of electical accessories. 10-15 years ago, you didn't have half of the electronics, headlights/interior lights that stayed on after shutdown (I truely believe this is a killer for battery life), etc; and a good battery would last a long time. A buddy has an 07 with the original 800+ battery and it's getting weak already after a little over 2 years.

 

In the past few years Ive found that models without trailer tow package get the smaller battery. Trailer tow versions get the BXT-65-650 with 650 CCA. Even my XL with very few options got the larger battery because I have trailer tow. Most higher content vehicles will also have trailer tow so I cant say heavily optioned vehicles would get the more powerful battery any way.

In the past we have had a LOT of the BXT-59 (540 CCA) batteries fail early. They have improved but only time will tell how well. You can buy aftermarket batteries more powerful, or you might opt for Motorcraft BXT-65-750 or BXT-65-850, which normally are equipped in F250 and up vehicles and other select vehicles like Expedition.

 

I've never had a battery fail outright from normal use. There is always some indication the battery is starting to weaken before it weakens enough to leave you stranded.

 

Bottom line is, its typical for the factory battery to be just about minimal. I don't think I've purchased a new vehicle in twenty years and gotten more than three years from the factory battery.

 

Its amazing sometimes. I have had some come in with 9 year old original battery. Ive had some fail in a week.

 

I have the max tow package with the 4 and 7 pin connector, big ol mirrors, 3.73 axle etc. It came with a 540cca battery. BOTH of them did.

 

Keep trusting in the 540cca battery then. Don't say you weren't warned...lol

 

What i know about lead acid batts is they dont like being discharged to less that 0.9v per cell and then charged back up. It takes a massive amount of life from the batt. With all the system like the Auto ignition start, Auto audio shut off, Auto light shut off and what ever other auto shut off electrical system there are i think there's far less problems with these batts being discharged.

 

I practice regular preventative maintenance and checks including a load test on the battery. I'll know the battery is weakening long before I'd have any problems.

You can buy a load tester for less than $50 these days.

 

i trust my optima more than that factory battery. atleast i know it can stand up to good vibration and all.

 

Hmm, I just went to the Ford site and read what the MAX tow package has and the regular tow package and one item shows heavy duty battery for both..

 

And I'm tellin' you that BOTH of my 2008 Lariat F150's with the MAX tow package BOTH came with the 540cca battery. It only took up 2/3 of the battery box. They had the heavy duty alternator, but came with a shiity battery.

BTW, the Chiefs suck.

 

Heh, anyone who paid for two HD batteries with tow package and got 540 instead HAS to be a chargers fan.... sucker! J/K

You know Ford accidently put lower end radiators in a bunch of F150 that were sold with HD cooling system. They had to replace a whole bunch of radiators or gave refunds. Maybe you should ask why you got the wimpy battery.