Let's talk Batteries
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 7
I run optima batteries. Expensive but i've killed mine stone dead 5 or 6 times at -30 C outside brought it into the garage threw on charger and good as new. Walmart for batteries though. I've returned batteries there 2 years later with no receipt or even the code punched out of the battery and got a new one. Tell me what other store would match that? Walmart sells optima as well.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,824
Likes: 3,104
From: Jersey Shore
I just have two points to make:
The Motorcraft over the counter batteries are not the same as the batteries that were installed on the production line. They are Ford's version of an aftermarket battery.
Walmart is changing their battery source, and the latest Maxx battery has a different top and no longer has a label that says they are made by Johnson Control.
The Motorcraft over the counter batteries are not the same as the batteries that were installed on the production line. They are Ford's version of an aftermarket battery.
Walmart is changing their battery source, and the latest Maxx battery has a different top and no longer has a label that says they are made by Johnson Control.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 133
I have had bad luck with Optimas. I had one in my car that wasn't driven much. The car had a parasitic drain issue. Long story short was once you kill a gel cell battery one or two times they are never the same.
Matt
Matt
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
maybe 98 the first time
90 the second... after that is a guess.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 255
From: Livermore Ca.
Which is the best battery?
What is the best oil?
What is the best tire?
Its amazing the number of opinions there are. Every one has one even me LOL.
As for batteries go to a place that sells a lot of them. That way you have a better chance of getting one that hasn't sat on a shelf for 6 months. Just get a good name brand. I prefer Motorcraft just because it's what came with the truck.
What is the best oil?
What is the best tire?
Its amazing the number of opinions there are. Every one has one even me LOL.
As for batteries go to a place that sells a lot of them. That way you have a better chance of getting one that hasn't sat on a shelf for 6 months. Just get a good name brand. I prefer Motorcraft just because it's what came with the truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
For me, it's the Optima or nothing, if it will fit in the battery box. Only vehicle I can't fit one in is my daughter's Corolla. As soon as my '12 SD craps the original battery, I'm putting an Optima in it. There's one in my wife's 4Runner right now, it's never been plugged in during winter, and has started just fine at -40 F (that's air temp, not windchill). That one is only 4 years old, will get a few more years out of it I'm sure.
Used to get 6-8 years out of the Optimas in the high heat (115+F) of desert in Phx, AZ. Ran them in everything from Jeeps to RV's.
If they didn't work so well for me, I wouldn't buy them. But I'm quite happy with the Optima's, and will keep buying them.
Used to get 6-8 years out of the Optimas in the high heat (115+F) of desert in Phx, AZ. Ran them in everything from Jeeps to RV's.
If they didn't work so well for me, I wouldn't buy them. But I'm quite happy with the Optima's, and will keep buying them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Good point about (generally) buying from a high turnover vendor. Dusty batteries on a rack in the back corner of the flower shop isn't the place to buy if you can help it.
All batteries have a manufacturer date code somewhere on the battery though, either a sticker or etched on the case. It may require a bit of sleuthing to decode. Always buy the freshest battery available and charge overnight before installation. 2-3 months old OK, 6 months or a year +, not so much. A good battery paired with a good alternator will easily last several years, long enough where the vendor may have completely switched suppliers by then so pronouncements that WalMart or Sears or Costco sells "the best" is not necessarily accurate. The truth is they are all pretty good within a given price point, keep them clean and keep them charged, free from parasitic drain and they will give good service. If not, not.
All batteries have a manufacturer date code somewhere on the battery though, either a sticker or etched on the case. It may require a bit of sleuthing to decode. Always buy the freshest battery available and charge overnight before installation. 2-3 months old OK, 6 months or a year +, not so much. A good battery paired with a good alternator will easily last several years, long enough where the vendor may have completely switched suppliers by then so pronouncements that WalMart or Sears or Costco sells "the best" is not necessarily accurate. The truth is they are all pretty good within a given price point, keep them clean and keep them charged, free from parasitic drain and they will give good service. If not, not.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
best is also the way an owner treats the battery..
my 2004 Ram 1500... original battery went from 2004 to 2015 and was still working fine when I sold the truck for a Ford F 250..
and YES I purchased the Ram New. (June 2004)
.
my last motorcycle battery lasted 8 1/2 years.. and that is a LONG time for a motorcycle battery.
my 2004 Ram 1500... original battery went from 2004 to 2015 and was still working fine when I sold the truck for a Ford F 250..
and YES I purchased the Ram New. (June 2004)
.
my last motorcycle battery lasted 8 1/2 years.. and that is a LONG time for a motorcycle battery.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Odyssey batteries are better than Optima. Pricey, but they are AGM and will not be harmed by going dead. Otherwise I'd recommend OEM replacement. Why an 850cca battery for your 5.4L? A brand new 6.2L comes with a 650cca battery.
I too have had poor luck with the Interstate batteries for the most part.
I too have had poor luck with the Interstate batteries for the most part.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Odyssey batteries are better than Optima. Pricey, but they are AGM and will not be harmed by going dead. Otherwise I'd recommend OEM replacement. Why an 850cca battery for your 5.4L? A brand new 6.2L comes with a 650cca battery.
I too have had poor luck with the Interstate batteries for the most part.
I too have had poor luck with the Interstate batteries for the most part.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
I will not start a fight or a war...
a battery needs to be treated like a life form... or a pet.
food, exercise, rest, bath, connections...
Clean water (not tap). no long storage. Kept fully charged.. no short runs..
turn OFF all accessories 3 minutes before turning OFF engine... I do it 2 blocks before my driveway...
I average 6 to 7 years out of every battery.. even lawn tractor batteries.
like I said... 11 plus years from an original Dodge branded battery..
I am a retired auto mechanic... 43 years...
take proper care of you stuff.. saves lots of cash.. my opinion.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Could be. I've had great luck with them as a winching and starting battery. The Optima was no where near as good for winching deep cycle. Looks cool, but overpriced. This is just my experience. Like others, I've also had decent luck with the larger Walmart Maxx batteries, and horrendous luck with all the other Walmart batteries.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 7
I realize batteries will eventually die but like most here it would seem they run what they've had the best luck with. Walmart has the best customer service in my opinion so thats why I use them for my batteries. The optima I use are the blue deep cycle marine batteries. A bit less CCA but more reserve capacity. I put 200,000 km on my last one with my jeep along with the few times in the winter where I killed it off for letting it sit too long. But everytime i brought it in and charged it up my jeep always ran again off of it. Thats why i'm sold on it. I do however have vehicle mounted trickle chargers wired to everything i own that runs on a battery so that everytime I plug in its maintaining my battery.