Well, I went out to start my truck this morning and it took about 20-30 seconds before the glow pug light went out. (WAY longer than it should on a 40 degree day) and when I started cranking it over it was very slow and I got the good ol' check brake system message that stayed on a couple seconds after the truck was running and the dome light turned on when it started just for a second and then went back out. I knew what this was all about because that's the same thing it was doing in February when I had both batteries replaced under warrranty. So back to the dealer I went and sure enough the driver side battery had about 400 CCA's. Really weird that so many of these things do that.

 

Have them install a couple of Optima Red Top's. They will withstand the heat alot better than the stockers!

 

Still running my orginals. Going on my 3rd winter guess I am on borrowed time.

 

maybe I'll try those next time.... it kinda seems like there WILL be a next time, since these ones didn't last 1 year!

 

Seems like the guy's that are driving longer distances are keeping the batts charged up better than the everyday back and forth to work guy's.Maybe correct me if i'm wrong.

 

sounds like maybe I've upset the battery gods LOL!

 

Actually, I've done quite a bit of long distance towing for racing season and just spent a couple months working in Michigan and made 2 trips out there and drove about 1 hour round trip a day while I was there. Almost 18,000 since mid january when I bought it. Not sure how this compares but seems like a fair amount of miles.

 

distance driving may have something to do with it. That is my trucks primary mission. Work for me is only 3 miles from the house so I usually do the car unless I have a need for the truck after work.

 

Maybe something else is going on here. It seems like there might be a draw on these batteries when the truck is sitting. Either that or something with the alternators... however, I would lean more towards some draw somewhere. Are you running any aftermarket wiring? Like a stereo or something? When you bring it into the dealer ask them to test for a draw when it's off. Good luck!

 

Yeah, I would think that they would've checked for a draw somewhere being that they know how new the batteries are, but I don't know for sure that they did. and no, everything is stock, so I guess I'm just the proud owner of a battery eating pig.

 

My batterys went 90,000 miles, replaced both, found out today with snow plow package I have 200 amp altenator.

 

I'll second the Optimas. I have a yellow top in a Wrangler that I use for snow plowing driveways. Been in there for 6 seasons, still going strong.

 

I have the plow prep package w/ the 200 amp alt. Stiil running with original batteries too. Truck is my daily daily driver. Approx 80 miles per day (73,500miles). Been driving it since july 2007. Maybe just lucky so far. I think there are a lot of variables that exist between those who are eating batteries and those that still have originals. When they do finally die, I'll probably get some Optima's (red or yellow top).

 

Wonder if there is something to the heavy duty alternator vs a standard one that helps? I also have the snow plow...heavy duty alternator.

 

I'm not sure which alternator I've got. Is there a way to tell?