Went to my local Costco today to check out the group 65 batteries for my truck and they no longer have the Kirkland brand. Now its Interstate #4 for the group 65 and 850cca. for $79. Seems like a good deal. Online price for Walmart Maxx 65 was $109 and it only has 650 cca.
I hate to give up on my original Motorcraft batteries as they are only 13 years old Went to start the truck yesterday after it sat in the cold for a couple of weeks and it just couldn't quite make it. Guess its time.

 

I have used interstate batteries for years and like their quality. When Tugly told me that Costco had them I went and picked them up. Never saw them that cheap as they usually run $120 each, so I jumped right on it. Go for the larger 850cca.

 

I bought two #4's this time last year from Costco. One is in great shape the other will not hold a charge.

Thank goodness for the warrantied replacement because I bet you won't get 13 years out of this set.

 

I run Interstate but I'm thinking there 1050 cca. Are these green top or black top batteries? I'll look at them tomorrow.

 

I think they were black top. It says 850 cca on the side.
No, I don't expect I'll ever see that kind of battery life again. I think that was just a fluke. I did get 10 years out of my originals on my 94 F250. I don't know why it is but replacement batteries never seem to last as long as originals. I'll prolly go with the Costco cause they do have a pretty good warranty and they do have an extra 100 cca.

 

I bought some from Costco a few years ago. They do sure have a good price and a great warranty. Isn't is a 5 year full replacement warranty?

 

Solid black top and bottom. 850 CCA. If there is another battery that fits with 1050, I would happily change to those.

These, about a year old, have a sticker on them that states 42 month full replacement.

 

Listening eagerly...

I believe my Optimas (or at least one of them) is dying prematurely at roughly the 3 year mark... got 5 years of the last pair... bought these online and don't have a warranty case with Optima since they claim the batts must be purchased at one of their authorized dealers, and my eBay seller can't be located now. I'm pulling mine this weekend to have them checked. On the other hand, it could be my starter beginning to drag, but it only happens on cold starts at the beginning of the day and then very slightly at the end of the work day if I don't go anywhere for lunch.

 

I have a question:

How do you get 13 years out of a set of batteries??!!! I find that amazing!

Oh, $80.00 a battery, I'd be all over that in a heartbeat! Last ones I bought were $120.00 each.

 

I don't know that I've ever gotten 13 years but for some reason I have extremely good luck with batteries. Too bad I can't say the same with the lottery or slot machines.

Interstate batteries are made by Johnson Controls and are the best in my opinion. They do make private label batteries and the Kirklands might well have been just that, Sears Die Hards are and possibly Walmart's. But I won't shop Walmart. That being said you will get the best batteries for the best price at Costco.

 

My batteries are MTP-65, CCA 850, CA1000, RC150 six year performance.
My last Interstate I bought in Wyoming years back and they were 1150. I got seven years out of them. And that was with my alternator going out on the road and charging it off another truck three times to get where I could replace it. Twice at night and once the next day. Last Motorcraft I bought at ford lasted three years and a month. Won't do that again. They where 850.

 

After a lot f research I have found Johnson Controls makes some of the best out there. As mentioned they make several branded batteries for other companies. However, like any other company they make various levels of overall quality. Ford made Pintos as well as Lincolns. Just need to do your homework, lots of info on the net.

 

Thank you for the info.

 

I had the Kirklands for a little over 4 years, and when I visited Scott's neighborhood, a winter storm rolled in with 8 degree F weather. This was the moment I learned that 4 years was about max life on the batteries - in the casino parking lot.

I called the casino valets for a jump, but their Yukon was taking way too long to charge up two very cold and dead 850 CCA batteries. While talking to the valet, he mentioned I was about the 5th dead diesel for the day. I called Scott for a jump, and "Grinch" was dead in the driveway, as well as his neighbors with diesels.

Desperate measures: I called AAA (first time in my life), this felt like I was admitting defeat - and that I had let a critical item in Stinky get away from me. Bad Tugly. AAA showed up with a jumper battery for battery 1, and jumper cables to the truck on battery 2. This guy understood the severity of the problem. Even with what must have been a 200-amp alternator in that AAA truck, Stinky was a little slow to roll out of bed.

Once Stinky fired up, I got directions to the nearest Costco and drove straight there - and called Scott to let him know about the Interstate batteries (Grinch was started by this time). The Interstates have a 42-month warranty, and I dare say... that's about how long the last set of Kirklands might have really lasted before they would no longer handle cold mornings.

 

When I bought my truck in '07 it had a almost new pair of AutoZone Gold batteries in it with as I remember, a 36 month replacement guarantee. But at just about 2 years one of the batteries dies, only showing about 10.5 volts after charging. I went back to AutoZone to see if I could get a replacement without a receipt and they said they had to find where the battery was originally purchased. They tried for about 1/2 hour and we gave up. Since I don't like to have an old and a new battery hooked together, I bought 2 of these "Golds". Two years later one of them again died with the same symptoms, only holding 10.5 volts. I got a new one but felt uneasy about having a new and old battery together. After another two years, I replaced them both with Costco batteries. Shortly thereafter, I found out that Interstate made both AutoZone and Costco batteries. And guess what. Two years later one of the batteries died again, showing only 10.5 volts when charged.


Costco cheerfully replaced that battery with a new one, only now they say "Interstate" on them. So once again I have a new and an old battery hooked together which I don't like much. I only drive the truck to pull my trailer, so I keep a Harbor Freight trickle (smart?) charger on it and they stay about 13.8 volts. If I don't, they tend to lose voltage and in a couple weeks will be down below 12.5.


So I am not particularly a big Interstate fan, but I do love Costco, their prices and their warrantees.


Just a side note, my Ford Expedition seems to lose voltage too and I have a almost 6-year old Costco (Interstate) battery. I don't drive it much and keep a Harbor Freight charge on it as well. I am a bit nervous as you might imagine, but it has a 100-month warranty on it so I will hang in there for another year or so and of course, make sure my roadside assistance insurance is paid up to date.