EverStart Batteries

ExpySport · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 07:57 AM

I am going to need a new battery for my Expedition before winter really hits, so have started looking around. My latest issue of Consumer Reports shows the Walmsrt EverStart Maxx-65N as a top-rated battery. I did some research on it and found it is made by either Johnson Controls or Exide. I know JC makes the Interstate and Motorcraft batteries, as well as a few others. The battery in my Expedition is still the original one from 2002! I stopped by my local Walmart over the weekend to look at the 65N and the ones in my store are made by Exide. I haven't had the best of luck with Exide in the past, but have had great results with Interstate. Are the two 65N's comparable or should I try and find one made by JC? I can get the Interstate MTP-65 here at work, but if I can save a few bucks and go with the Maxx-65N, I will. Input on this? I also posted this in the Electrical section of the site, but haven't gotten much feedback. Thanks!

benningstspeed1.0 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 09:13 AM

i have had very good luck with motorcraft batteries. the bxt-65-650 has a 100 month warr. i have seen them go 10 years on many occations.

Big Greenie · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:15 PM

If you need to seek out the JC version to quell your conscience, by all means do it. I really don't think there is any difference between the various lead acid batteries. As you already found, all of the brands come from just a couple of sources anyway. I am sure the Exide one would serve you just fine. Still, if it is worth it to YOU, do it. I dont think anything we say will make you feel better about the battery you intend to depend on.

RAGaz · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:51 PM

If you have a local AutoZone, check out their Duralst brand. Great battery at a great price with a great warranty. I opted for the Duralast Gold and am very pleased.

ExpySport · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:58 PM

I'm not going to be too picky. It seems a lot of the batteries are built solidly and have to meet certain specifications. I would love to get another Motorcraft battery, as my original from 2002 is still going, but starting to show it is tired in the mornings. I'll look at AutoZone when I drive by the one near me. So many decisions...

Omahastro1 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 02:05 PM

I see no one has brought up Sears Die Hard. I agree with the statement already made as to one battery being the same as another, the biggest thing thou I feel is how often do they turn those battery's over. If they sit on the shelf they can loose life. I have Die Hard Gold in all of my cars,trucks and have had good luck with them. I don't think I have had to jump any of them in the last 5 years, and 4 out of the 5 are at least 5 years old. Just my $.02 worth.

YoGeorge · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 02:16 PM

The original battery in my 2002 E150 died about 2 months ago (very conveniently in my driveway)... It acted tired for about 2 days, and then was dead as a doornail.

I am a Costco shopper, and their Kirkland house brand batteries, also rated highly by CR, are JC made batteries. Problem was that Costco was out of 65N's that day and I needed to drive the van, so I went to Walmart and got an Everstart. I was assuming it was also JC made. One thing about the Everstart is that the warranty is vague. Although CR lists a specific time for both free replacement and total warranty, I got nothing on paper, and the battery displays at Walmart did not clearly state the warranty, nor did it appear on the battery itself.

I'd go to Costco first, but have no real regrets about the Everstart. Hell, a battery is way cheaper than a full tank of gas these days, so they just aren't something I'm that concerned with these days.... I replaced the battery in my wife's old '98 Sable after 7 years, worried that it might leave her stranded--a new battery is cheaper than a single road service call, and if it saves one time being stranded, it's worth it. I would replace your battery before winter.

George

mikecox1 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 02:49 PM

I have had several Everstart batteries. I have had several because all theones that I have had crapped out on me in short order and were replaced under warrenty. I have changed to calling them Neverstart instead of Everstart.

cbradford · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 02:57 PM

Optima yellow top in my 01 going on 5 years works great.

ExpySport · #10 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 07:03 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Definitely a lot of options available. I can also get the Optima Yellow Tops at work, as well. Just never thought about them as an option for me. I stopped by my Walmart last night to get my MC oil and filter for an oil change and went to the battery section again. There is nothing mentioned on the shelves or wall regarding the warranty, as mentioned above. Only thing about the 3-year warranty is on the actual battery. When it's all said and done, the EverStart 65N and the Interstate MTP-65 will run me about the same. Going to have to do something soon. Expy was really sluggish Friday morning, and it only got down to the upper 30's overnnight.

projectSHO89 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecox1

I have had several Everstart batteries. I have had several because all theones that I have had crapped out on me in short order and were replaced under warrenty. I have changed to calling them Neverstart instead of Everstart.

Me too.

After my F150 died in an intersection this summer with its THIRD yellow battery in 5 years from WalMart, I put one in from O'Reilly's. All of the previous ones were replaced under warranty but I'd had it with those batteries.

powerram50 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 11:15 AM

the older maxx 65 n's that were all yellow had some issues.i have gotten alot of them back at work but the newer ones have been pretty good.they have a 3 year free replacement warranty and a 9 year prorate.i am a service mgr at a wally world so i deal with them all the time.at least at my store we are good at honoring the warranty.we have to test it first and sometimes try to charge it but if it comes back bad on the tester than we dont hassle you.i am sure other stores can be pricks so so dont take it out on me.