Anybody have any suggestions about when to change the battery, or how long one should last? I have a habit of replacing stuff way before i need to, I hate when stuff breaks, and i'd freak if i ever had a dead battery. Also, any suggestions on brand, I usually just go with Sears DieHard in past cars.
thanks

 

Have the existing battery tested. Modern testers will perform a series of tests and will show the exact state of the battery. I've seen batteries that were DOA and others that lasted 5+ years, so there's no set period.

Sears batteries and about 90% of all other batteries you see at retailers are made by Johnson Controls.

 

i only us a c delco or optima i have had the same a c delco for 8 years in my truck

 

MOOK929RR-

I posted the same question last year when my battery started to die. Keep an eye on your guages. They will start acting funny (pegging, sweeping, or being delayed) on start-up. This is an indication that the battery is going south. It actually turns out to be a good feature since it gives you a warning before quitting. My factory battery lasted exactly 48 months (Florida heat) before the guages acted up.

You can't go wrong with the DieHard battery. Just keep in mind that a lot of batteries are made by the same manufacturer. You might be able to get the same battery at a lower price with different labels (for example, you'll see Johnson Controls' name on several brands).

Good luck.

 

Consider an Optima Red Top. 800 cold cranking amps.
http://www.optimabatteries.com
You should be able to pick one up for around $100 on sale.
I replaced my 5-year-old OEM battery this year. Felt like anything over that would be stretching it.

 

Thanks guys. I'm at about 4 years on the original right now, so I think i'll be popping a new one in sometime in the next couple months.

 

MOOK929RR,
My original lasted 5 years, one thing I noticed before it died was that my mileage actually turned for the worst, and it took longer to crank over (obvious sign of weak juice). Soon as I had it replaced, it cranked right over and actually ran better.
I would replace it before it dies in your driveway and you can't start it again (hint hint.)

 

I usually replace after four years whether it appears to need it or not. My job sometimes requires me to drive in the more interesting sections of large cities. A no-start could result in a no-wallet, no-creditcards, no-watch...

 

I use Interstates in my fleet. If you will look for a shop with the Interstate sign on it, go in and inquire if they have the Early Detection Analyzer ED-18 . This is a hand held analyzer that will tell you what is left in your battery. It will tell you the cold cranking amps it still has, and how much longer you can expect it to last.
I have the analyzer and use it regularly. It is pretty dependable.
I have some batteries that are 10 to 12 years old, still going strong.
If you were around here, I would hook it up and tell you in a couple minutes, for no charge.
Big Les

 

I got 8 yrs out of the OEM battery in my wifes Taurus. I couldn't complain one bit. I replaced it with a Duralast from Auto zone. I have never had any problems out of their batteries. Oh and by the way.... A battery has ABSOLUTELY NO AFFECT ON MILEAGE! ALL it does is crank the engine!

 

I just stated what happened to me when I changed my battery. It may have been me replacing the serpentine belt and alternator as well. Couldn't the low juice make the computer screw up air/fuel mixtures?

 

It would have nothing to do with the mileage..... what you did do was reset the computer codes and reset the average MPG.... this is just an Illusion.... in a few weeks it will be back to normal.

 

Would any of that gauge whackiness include the odometer blinking out at start up???

 

The odometer blinking out is caused by a cold solder joint in the back of the circuit board. There is a fix on F-150 online that tells you how to fix it. Ford doesn't even know how to fix it.....my buddy just bought a 00 F-150 and his odometer goes out on every bump.... I need to pull it apart and re-solder the joint. The article in there has some great pics and all. If it just blinks at startup it might be normal..... I have the old style roller odometer in mine...... it is a 97. They changed to digital in 99. It looks like an easy fix if your good with a soldering iron.

 

If you replace your battery, get an Optima red or yellow top. I've had six years experience with them. Nothing beats it. I had one that was down to 10.5 volts (zero charge) five times and still came back to a full charge and in still going. I use OPtimas on my cars, trucks, sail boats, and travel trailers. They are worth more than what you pay because they are no maintenance, no hassle, and take a charge faster than any other kind of wet acid battery.