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I recently needed to replace the battery for my 1980 F150 (in a hurry) so I just got what was available at Advanced Auto Parts. But I really wanted to get an Optima. I've just been having trouble figuring out which one! Anyone know?
Id avoid optima batteries they are not like they used to be. Years ago they would last like Diehard a good 5 to 8 years but now the last 3 years Ive been seeing Optima batteries not holding a charge and being no good and being under 5 years old.
But if you insist on going with a optima your only choice is the redtop starting battery.
OPTIMA is bottom of the barrel imported garbage. The last good optima batteries were made 10 years ago when they were in Colorado. The best AGM batteries out there are Odyssey or Northstar and made by the same company. You can find the Northstar local at batteries and bulbs. It's sold under the X2 battery line.
OPTIMA is bottom of the barrel imported garbage. The last good optima batteries were made 10 years ago when they were in Colorado. The best AGM batteries out there are Odyssey or Northstar and made by the same company. You can find the Northstar local at batteries and bulbs. It's sold under the X2 battery line.
Optimas are made in Mexico. All of Odyssey's component parts are imported from their Chinese partner HUADA battery, assembly is done in the states.
If you want good AGM's just buy them from Ford/Motorcraft they are the same manufacturer used by Mercedes and others and typically have life spans of over a decade. The last ones I had lasted 16 and 14 years respectively before needing to be replaced and really the only reason they were replaced was the capacity had fallen below 80%.
Optima batteries are entry-level batteries using 40-year old tech and are priced accordingly. I have NEVER been a fan of Optima batteries the whole spiral-wound cell is a screw-up from the get-go, as it can not shed heat worth a crap and with newer vehicles using much higher charge rates the Optimas are doomed to an early grave. They still work well in a lower draw and lower charge rate applications but otherwise avoid them.
I just asked google what is the best car battery. Funny how the Optima keeps coming up near the top. On other car forums, it seems the same opinion is, stay away from them.
I have come to accept that I will replace the battery in my cars before the 6th Winter. Years ago, Consumer Reports put the MaxEverstart at or near the top of its ratings. Walmart seems to have a good supply of them. For the $100, I justify it as cheap insurance, hoping I don't have a dead battery at the worst possible time.
I'll also say back in the mid 90's when my son worked at Advance Auto Parts he got me one of their best batteries, it lasted almost 10 years.
Optimas are made in Mexico. All of Odyssey's component parts are imported from their Chinese partner HUADA battery, assembly is done in the states.
If you want good AGM's just buy them from Ford/Motorcraft they are the same manufacturer used by Mercedes and others and typically have life spans of over a decade. The last ones I had lasted 16 and 14 years respectively before needing to be replaced and really the only reason they were replaced was the capacity had fallen below 80%.
Optima batteries are entry-level batteries using 40-year old tech and are priced accordingly. I have NEVER been a fan of Optima batteries the whole spiral-wound cell is a screw-up from the get-go, as it can not shed heat worth a crap and with newer vehicles using much higher charge rates the Optimas are doomed to an early grave. They still work well in a lower draw and lower charge rate applications but otherwise avoid them.
Thanks a ton everyone! I have always been told Optima was the way to go. Good to know! My bigger problem is that I do not know which battery to specifically get... when I do a search based off my truck model nothing comes up on almost all manufacturers.
Just went out and took this picture, group 56-3 If you call the auto parts store or go to Walmart and use their chart you'll find it. I have found that sometimes the battery may be out of stock. Sometimes looking on line just sucks. You need to go to the store.
I just asked google what is the best car battery. Funny how the Optima keeps coming up near the top.
Just so you know, that happens with all searches, not just optima batteries or car batteries. Those searches are tilted to where the most money came from.
My 24 yrs old Riviera is on its third AC Delco battery. First two lasted ten yrs each. I think it makes a difference that the vehicle was always parked inside.
I just replaced my truck's battery last summer. It was a seven year old Interstate. Replacement was another Interstate.
I'm on my third battery set on my F250 with the 6.9 IDI. The original Ford batteries lasted about 10 years. Replaced them with Interstates which lasted for 20 years. Would have lasted longer than that except for some abuse that occurred after giving a friend a jump who had reverse color code on his battery cables which led to a reverse polarity hook up. I'm on my second Interstate battery set now for three years.
Best batteries I've used. With all maintenance batteries you want to check the battery levels annually and top them up with distilled water. Do that and you're gonna get many miles and smiles.
My 86’ 302 takes a group 56 battery & Advance recommended this size, but said a group 24 was the exact same battery, just one inch longer. The cool part of this was that the CCA were 550 on the group 56 & the CCA were 700 on the Gold group 24. The price was within $20 too. Win Win!!!
Just remembered that Home Depot now sells Interstate batteries. I saw a huge rack of them just past the checkout. The size 24 or 56 runs about $100. Worth a trip to check them out.
Johnson Controls makes a good percentage of interstate batteries so says sources online.
If you haven't bought one yet, maybe check out other brands Johnson makes and get one without the name markup.
Not knocking interstate they are excellent, and each brands have their own specs I'm sure.
I run napas in my vehicles, they are made by east penn and no complaints on them yet.
