Replacement batteries?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Brighton, MI
Replacement batteries?
This is for my wife's Taurus X, not my F-150, but the question would apply to either. The Duralast Gold that I put in her car just left her (and 2 other moms and 4 teenage girls) stranded at 10pm in a Lowes parking lot in the winter. This is the second time in the past couple of months. Needless to say, I'm done with it. 
What is the "best" replacement battery out there? Keeping in mind how subjective that question is, I'm looking for something higher-end. I never want to have to buy another battery for this car (probably keeping it for another 3-5 years). I don't care if it weighs 200 pounds, if it starts the car all the time, I'll buy it.
I've heard that Optima used to be great, but lately their quality has gone downhill. What about Odyssey? The high-end Die Hards or Napas? Any others?
Thanks.
What is the "best" replacement battery out there? Keeping in mind how subjective that question is, I'm looking for something higher-end. I never want to have to buy another battery for this car (probably keeping it for another 3-5 years). I don't care if it weighs 200 pounds, if it starts the car all the time, I'll buy it.
I've heard that Optima used to be great, but lately their quality has gone downhill. What about Odyssey? The high-end Die Hards or Napas? Any others?
Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
I've had fairly good luck with Optimas - I have a red top for starting and an isolated yellow top for technical power. They last ~4 years.
The Odyssey batteries are expensive but have fantastic reviews as well. I have one in my generator and have been pleased with it.
Both are an AGM (absorbed glass mat) so you don't have to deal with liquid cells, significant outgassing, etc.
TL;DR - Both Optima and Odyssey are good options.
The Odyssey batteries are expensive but have fantastic reviews as well. I have one in my generator and have been pleased with it.
Both are an AGM (absorbed glass mat) so you don't have to deal with liquid cells, significant outgassing, etc.
TL;DR - Both Optima and Odyssey are good options.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 534
Likes: 168
From: Park County, CO
Odyssey's have consistently been the best batteries I've ever bought. I use them in all my motorcycles, tractors, ....when the Ford needs one it will be Odyssey. They seem to handle the texas heat best.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Perry, Utah
I leave my Lincoln parked longer during the winter and it gets very cold here. So even I drive now and then the battery feels weak. I too want to buy a new one. Are the Optimas lighter? Why and how did they go downhill?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
A good boost charge now and then, or a battery maintainer, is a better choice IMO in that instance no matter what battery is installed.
Any of them will self-discharge a little bit day by day, especially in hot weather. AGM are better at this, but buying a top of the line battery is of no advantage if it is neglected.
Any of them will self-discharge a little bit day by day, especially in hot weather. AGM are better at this, but buying a top of the line battery is of no advantage if it is neglected.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
We run a lot of Optimas and I have never seen a quality drop, that said I also use a lot of Napa's higher line batteries in vehicles as well, usually the 84 month--I think they might even have some longer warranted ones.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Die hard platinum batteries are supposed to be good. I had an Optima in my ranger and have two on my travel trailer all work real good.
I have also had very good service out of any Motorcraft batteries that have come in my trucks, my 1996 Powerstroke batteries lasted just over 10 years. Can't complain about them!
Bill
I have also had very good service out of any Motorcraft batteries that have come in my trucks, my 1996 Powerstroke batteries lasted just over 10 years. Can't complain about them!
Bill
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
I used to buy Diehards from Sears...then I just started buying the Walmart brand and have had great success with those too. I did look up the optimas and they really sound like a great battery especially for the vibration resistance and the mounting in any position (would be great for off roading and dune buggy applications).
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 662
From: Sioux Falls Area
sears' die-hard batteries are made by Johnson Controls, which have always had a reputation as being very good quality.
Walmart's batteries are now made by Johnson Controls as well, so they may be better than they used to be. In the past they were made by Exide, which has always had a shaky reputation, IMO.
that being said, i've been buying batteries at the farm store in the last few years and they are also Exide batteries, and i've been having pretty good luck. I did have one die last winter due to neglect, but that's my fault, not the battery's.
i don't think i'd hesitate to buy one from walmart if they were cheaper.
Walmart's batteries are now made by Johnson Controls as well, so they may be better than they used to be. In the past they were made by Exide, which has always had a shaky reputation, IMO.
that being said, i've been buying batteries at the farm store in the last few years and they are also Exide batteries, and i've been having pretty good luck. I did have one die last winter due to neglect, but that's my fault, not the battery's.
i don't think i'd hesitate to buy one from walmart if they were cheaper.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 85
From: penn twp.
I personally like the interstate green top batteries. My dad and I both had them in our older F150's and they had lasted 10+ years in each of those trucks. The AutoZone's, Napa's, Sears, Autocrafts and others never even claim close to those. My 03 Taurus that I had if I got 3 years out of a battery in that car I did good. The last I put in there I talk my wife into getting the interstate battery. So I sent her to get one while I was doing some other work to her car and she came back with their black top battery. I wasn't happy about it but decided to try it anyways. It was still going strong when I traded it in last years. That battery ended up being 3.5 years old at that point. But I've always been told that the green top is interstates best battery.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
sears' die-hard batteries are made by Johnson Controls, which have always had a reputation as being very good quality.
Walmart's batteries are now made by Johnson Controls as well, so they may be better than they used to be. In the past they were made by Exide, which has always had a shaky reputation, IMO.
that being said, i've been buying batteries at the farm store in the last few years and they are also Exide batteries, and i've been having pretty good luck. I did have one die last winter due to neglect, but that's my fault, not the battery's.
i don't think i'd hesitate to buy one from walmart if they were cheaper.
Walmart's batteries are now made by Johnson Controls as well, so they may be better than they used to be. In the past they were made by Exide, which has always had a shaky reputation, IMO.
that being said, i've been buying batteries at the farm store in the last few years and they are also Exide batteries, and i've been having pretty good luck. I did have one die last winter due to neglect, but that's my fault, not the battery's.
i don't think i'd hesitate to buy one from walmart if they were cheaper.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
I believe that Johnson Controls and one or two other manufacturers make most all batteries now. Or so I've heard. The only time I have used an Optima was in a Jeep, only because I was always climbing, etc. Never had an issue, but the Jeep was a'73 and had about as much electronics as a wood burning stove, and about as dependable! I have heard that interstate batteries have also got quality issues these days, can't speak from experience on that. Just make sure you get the correct CCA, and the battery is compatible for the application. I think batteries are like modern vehicles, you can get good and bad in all of them, but they all need to be properly maintained.