I used to buy nothing but Optimas. But since the company was bought out the quality has really gone done hill. Google optima problems and see what pops up.

That's why I suggested Odyssey batteries they are better then the Optimas use to be like. I believe they said they have a 10 year service life. All I know is my 54 is getting an Odyssey battery when I get it finished.

Odyssey AGM Batteries

 

I have a car quest brand in the plow truck that been in plowing service for the last 5 years no problems. Hell it out lasted the first truck! LOL After the other plow truck got totaled that batter went in the truck I have now.

I also have one in the loader. Today it's 10 outside. Loader has been sitting since about thanksgiving. Walked over let the glow plugs run for about 30 sec, turned the key and had smoke. Loader batter is about 6 years old.

Not sure who makes um for Car Quest but I'll buy another next time I need one.

 

It was -15 here this morning and big surprise my brothers "Never start" is dead!

 

I have a ever start in my 250 and it's been really good it started fine the other day at -21. I've had it for about a year and half

 

I like Motorcraft batteries. Thats what we have in the 65 Mustang and the 97 Mustang Cobra.

I have an Autocraft Gold from Advance in my truck. It has 1000 cranking amps and 850 cold cranking amps.

I won't have anything to do with Optima batteries.

I did some online reading and found out that apparently Johnson Controls makes alot of the batteries and that these may all in fact be the same battery.

It is mfg. by Johnson Controls & produces this EXACT SAME battery (CCA, etc.) for many auto makers and retailers under different product names such as:
Motorcraft� silver BXT-65-850; ~$100.00 to $120.00 Plus $104.95 + tax, etc. at your local friendly Ford dealer
Sears Die Hard Gold 33065 $105. +
Auto Zone (Duralast Gold)
Eveready
Everstart
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus $104.95 + tax, etc.
Toyota (TrueStart)
Mitsubishi (Diamond Car Care)
Mazda
Advance Auto (Autocraft Titanium)
Costco (Kirkland Signature)
Pep Boys (ProStart & Energizer)
btw, Johnson also mfg. Optima brand

WAL MART - excellent price $61.00 w/ 7% sales tax and free installation. The warranty is 3yr free and 108 month pro-rata
CCA: 875 amps @ 0 degree F/ CA = 1090 amps @ 32� F; Reserve capacity: 165 mins

compare CCA etc to Optima YellowTop
CCA = 500 amps @ 0 degree F/ CA = 625 amps at 32� F; Reserve capacity: 70 minutes


It is mfg. by Johnson Controls & produces this EXACT SAME battery (CCA, etc.) for many auto makers and retailers under different product names such as:
Motorcraft� silver BXT-65-850; ~$100.00 to $120.00 Plus $104.95 + tax, etc. at your local friendly Ford dealer
Sears Die Hard Gold 33065 $105. +
Auto Zone (Duralast Gold)
Eveready
Everstart
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus $104.95 + tax, etc.
Toyota (TrueStart)
Mitsubishi (Diamond Car Care)
Mazda
Advance Auto (Autocraft Gold)
Costco (Kirkland Signature)
Pep Boys (ProStart & Energizer)
btw, Johnson also mfg. Optima brand

WAL MART - excellent price $61.00 w/ 7% sales tax and free installation. The warranty is 3yr free and 108 month pro-rata
CCA: 875 amps @ 0 degree F/ CA = 1090 amps @ 32� F; Reserve capacity: 165 mins

compare CCA etc to Optima YellowTop
CCA = 500 amps @ 0 degree F/ CA = 625 amps at 32� F; Reserve capacity: 70 minutes

 

As for warrantee on Wal-Mart Never Start battery. Its NOT a 108 month warrantee. Its a 72 month with first 36 free. Ive got 2-3 of them. Do I recommend them? Yes and No. Accessabilty 24 hours a day/363 1/2 days a year. Thats nice. Warrantee as long as you have receipt the will honor it no questions asked AFTER they electrically checked the battery to see if it IS bad, they may also charge it and recheck. If no receipt, they go by the manufacturing code on the battery. Batteried at the walmart i worked in were mostly under a couple months old, exceptions would be some that were SLOW moving in our area.

Ive really NOT had very good luck with any brand of batteries from any scource! Motorcraft lasted 6 months in my new !988 F150, (They would not warrantte it). Installed Interstate and sent through lots of those and NAPA branded in it. Probably has never start now but engine wont start dfo to something else being wrong. Ive had Ac Delco in my GM diesel, melted one of those before I got rid of it, (7 batteries 5 years, including what was in it when I got it.) Also have done relabeled Volt Master and East Penn batteries,(Volt Master was purchased by East Penn 3-4 years ago.) Ive got Carquest batteries in some stuff and also CASE IH batteries I beleive are made by EXIDE but are made better than automotive batteries. You guys decide, I still havnt had good luck with anything, but have NOT returned a Carquest battery YET! I bet I jionxed that now.

 

Advance Auto has a internet special allowing 15% off for orders over $150. 10% off for orders under $150.
They sale Optima batteries.
Order must be placed before February 5th.
and FREE SHIPPING.

 

There are imported batteries that are mostly used in commercial applications that are good. I have a no-name group 31 made in KOREA and sold by an independent parts place that supports farm and industrial equipment in a diesel farm tractor. Keeps it charge for a long time and has good load capacity after 2 years in the field. The diesel can be hard to start after sitting for several months in the weather. It is never in a covered place.

 

I've had decent luck with the Wal-Mart batteries but I mostly buy them because of what LADNAR pointed out - when it dies I can get another one quick at any time of day or night and I have never had them check one, they just tell me go get what you want and bring it up here and we will exchange it. All batteries die, some sooner than others, I don't have a "go-to" brand, so warranty service and low price is the top factor IMO.

Top-dog service is what made the Sears DieHard the far-and-away #1 battery 20-25 years ago, but Sears ain't been the same since KMart bought them. If you want great customer service nationwide with more locations open more hours than anyone else, you gotta go with Wal-Mart.

 

Does Walmart require the original reciept to exchange battery?
I bought a F-150 that came with a Walmart battery, but I do not have the reciept for its purchase.

 

When I take them back they just look it up on the computer. Hell I've taken back so many I'm almost on a first name basis with the customer service people.

 

When I get a Wal-Mart battery, they always put the receipt in a little pocket on the side of the battery. Sometimes you can't read it anymore, but I just tell them "that is where you put it" and they go along.

 

ive worked for autozone and trust me their batteries suck. and warranty is only valid if they do a test and it comes out its defected... if not they dont switch it. i avoid buy batteries from there.

as for Interstate... i never had a problem with mine. thats all i buy really. i have had all sorts of other brands and models.. and the only one i would stay with and rely on is Interstate (not a sales person lol) just giving my 2 cents. i had an interstate battery in my garage for almost a year and when i put it in my truck it started it right up and monitored it for a few days and nothing.

also depends on what your running off your battery... extra lights sound system all adds up. if you have or plan on having that you need a Optima or equal to handle heavy loads.

 

I have an Autocraft Titanium 84 Month (Advanced Auto) in my 1997 F250 I bought in April of 2003 @ 87,000 miles. I have 155,000 miles on the truck now.
It has been thru Virginia Winters (not frigid, but can be cold), and Texas Summers (which are no joke).
I have played my after-market stereo, amp, and 10" subwoofers for HOURS at a time without running the truck during more softball tournies than I can count, left the dome light on overnight, headlights on for several hours .............. and that battery has NEVER even tried not to start my truck.
It is still in my truck ............ and I have probably jinxed myself now ........... better find my cables before the morning.

 

The battery will not be replaced unless it tests bad. Trust me, thats the policy.