Battery life?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 157
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From: New Orleans
Battery life?
Hi.
I have an '06 (bought Sept 1 '05) with 39,000 miles on it.
The past week or so I have noticed that sometimes when starting the truck, it sounds like the batteries are going dead. It always starts, but you can just hear that it's not quite right.
Is this the normal battery life expectancy for these trucks? I seem to recall getting about 50-60K miles out of batteries on other (gasser) trucks. I'm going to bring it by my buddies shop this week and have him check the batts and charging system, but I just figured I'd get y'alls opinion on life expectancy in the meantime.
Thanks.
I have an '06 (bought Sept 1 '05) with 39,000 miles on it.
The past week or so I have noticed that sometimes when starting the truck, it sounds like the batteries are going dead. It always starts, but you can just hear that it's not quite right.
Is this the normal battery life expectancy for these trucks? I seem to recall getting about 50-60K miles out of batteries on other (gasser) trucks. I'm going to bring it by my buddies shop this week and have him check the batts and charging system, but I just figured I'd get y'alls opinion on life expectancy in the meantime.
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Batteries can go bad at any time and these should be replaced in pairs. You should have a warranty from Ford for a time length, not just mileage. Check with your dealership parts department for more info. I'm thinking 36 months free replacement but I'm not sure on Ford.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 173
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I also have an 06 that was purchased on 09/05. Both of my batteries went dead in october and they were replaced under the 3/36. They were only 2 years old with 20,000 miles! These trucks must be hard on batteries.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
From: Stuart, FL
I had to replace 1 of mine after 2 years. It was under warranty. The warranty is up in April so I hope the other goes bad by then so I can get the other replaced also.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kansas City/Breckenridge
Originally Posted by katiesdad7
I had to replace 1 of mine after 2 years. It was under warranty. The warranty is up in April so I hope the other goes bad by then so I can get the other replaced also.
Also battery life varys by your climate more than the vehicle its in. Here in Kansas City the average battery life is something like 48 months.
Call a battery shop local to you and ask what the average battery life is.
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I changed the OEM batteries in my 03 but I don't think they were OEM because one battery had a lower cranking amp both group 65 batteries.
I changed them out because one was getting weak that was 6 months ago so off to Canadian tire I went and bought two 1100CA group 65 batteries the truck starts good.
NEVER replace starting batteries on Ford trucks one at a time always change them in pairs. The weaker battery always sucks down the good one which eventually kills it.
I changed them out because one was getting weak that was 6 months ago so off to Canadian tire I went and bought two 1100CA group 65 batteries the truck starts good.
NEVER replace starting batteries on Ford trucks one at a time always change them in pairs. The weaker battery always sucks down the good one which eventually kills it.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 614
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i have an 03 with 99700 on it and mine i replaced last year this time.do both never one and charge one at a time not both.My alternator crapped out and killed the batteries to the point they wouldnt hold a charge anymore.and also on a side note i picked up a new rebuilt alternator at a starter alternator rebuild shop for 60.00 looked new but i dont know it was for a 7.3liter the 6.0 was twice that but its the same all but the power out lug you split the case and swap the one off the old alternator onto the new took 5 mins and 20,000+miles and no problem.so check the cost difference if you ever need to replace that
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
Here's a question...Do you think cycling the batteries extends the life of the batteries? When I mean cycling I am refering to say leaving your radio on all day with the truck off. My truck is 4 1/2 years old with almost 97K. It always cranks fine with the OEM batteries that came with the truck. I also have an auxillary satellite radio which I never turn off and if I don't run my truck for a couple days it still starts right up. Someone actually told me this helped the life of the battery but they had no technical reason why. Just want to know what you pro's think. I'm probably going to keep doing what I'm doing unless someone can persuade me otherwise. Thanks in advance.
P.S. I live on the bumpiest road in Rhode Island
P.S. I live on the bumpiest road in Rhode Island
Last edited by B327Thr; Dec 7, 2007 at 01:36 PM.