When to Replace Battery?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Richardson, TX
When to Replace Battery?
My truck is an ’04 F150, approx 4 ½ yrs old. I got the tow pkg, so I think it has a battery upgrade. Wondering if anyone has gotten more (or less) than 4-5 years out of their original battery?? I’ve had no iondication that my battery is getting weak, but the little ‘green eye’ indicator is not illuminated. 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
My truck is an ’04 F150, approx 4 ½ yrs old. I got the tow pkg, so I think it has a battery upgrade. Wondering if anyone has gotten more (or less) than 4-5 years out of their original battery?? I’ve had no iondication that my battery is getting weak, but the little ‘green eye’ indicator is not illuminated.
I think my van still has the green eye on OK. If it *ever* gives me the feeling that it doesn't have the oomph to crank the van (maybe when it's below zero), I'll just screw a new battery in. But Ford's batteries (and probably all batteries) have a much longer lifespan than they used to, it seems.
George
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From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
My battery lasted 7 months. I don't drive my truck much since I have a work van, but the beuty of new vehicles is that it will either start, or it won't. It's not like the old days when you could tell the damn thing was getting weak. One day it's fine, the next it clicks.
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From: Isanti, MN
If it seems fine and doesn't hesitate to start in the cold, it's probably fine. However, as others have stated, better safe than sorry!
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From: Richardson, TX
Thanks for the input. I thought about having the battery load tested, but I’m sure that it has lost some of it’s capacity. Plus if I go to the trouble of taking it out, I’m thinking that I might as well replace it. It’s been cold lately (20s) and it hasn’t hesitated to turn over, if it did I would consider that my warning, and immediately replace it. I’m more concerned about the fact that there is no longer the green indicator, and if that is my warning. I guess I’ll give it a little more time and hope that I do get that one “hesitant start”, before it gives out on me.
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
change your battery
my last battery was just fine (not the truck, the SUV) with 0 problems until it failed. I drove home, went inside for maybe 10 minutes. Came back outside and presto, dead battery. That was in 85F weather.
It would really suck to be out in BFE and have this happen. You've gotten 4, possibly 5 yrs of service out of that battery. A $100 battery is cheap insurance...and most likely you'll have to buy one anyways in the near future...after being stranded somewhere
my last battery was just fine (not the truck, the SUV) with 0 problems until it failed. I drove home, went inside for maybe 10 minutes. Came back outside and presto, dead battery. That was in 85F weather.
It would really suck to be out in BFE and have this happen. You've gotten 4, possibly 5 yrs of service out of that battery. A $100 battery is cheap insurance...and most likely you'll have to buy one anyways in the near future...after being stranded somewhere
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
(knock on wood) if it lasts, My battery will be 5 years old in April. I mainly drive short trips (3 mile work commute) and I'm suprised it's still going strong. I think I might change it soon just for peace of mind.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
Are you sure you can't see green?
Thanks for the input. I thought about having the battery load tested, but I’m sure that it has lost some of it’s capacity. Plus if I go to the trouble of taking it out, I’m thinking that I might as well replace it. It’s been cold lately (20s) and it hasn’t hesitated to turn over, if it did I would consider that my warning, and immediately replace it. I’m more concerned about the fact that there is no longer the green indicator, and if that is my warning. I guess I’ll give it a little more time and hope that I do get that one “hesitant start”, before it gives out on me.
If it is not green, have it load tested or just change it out, but I've had two Ford batteries go 6.5 years and never fail.
George
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Junior User
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From: Richardson, TX
"If it is not green, have it load tested or just change it out, but I've had two Ford batteries go 6.5 years and never fail".
I can tell the battery has lost some of it’s power because the longer it sits, like overnight, the slower it cranks. No need to have it load tested. When I’m out running around it cranks right up like it should. I’ll probably go ahead and change it soon. I thought I’d put this question out there to see if many ’04 owners would chime it to let me know that they’ve had to replace theirs. I’ve had good luck with Motorcraft Batts too.
I can tell the battery has lost some of it’s power because the longer it sits, like overnight, the slower it cranks. No need to have it load tested. When I’m out running around it cranks right up like it should. I’ll probably go ahead and change it soon. I thought I’d put this question out there to see if many ’04 owners would chime it to let me know that they’ve had to replace theirs. I’ve had good luck with Motorcraft Batts too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
I'd change it...
Consumer Reports just did a test of aftermarket batteries and rated the Costco battery tops for the size in my '02 E150 (group 65?). Not sure if that's the same size as in your pickup.
Seems to me Costco charges about $80 or so after exchange, and has a helluva long warranty. They probably will screw it in for free and take the core immediately, although I can't remember the last time I had someone else change the battery in one of my cars.
There are only 2 or 3 battery mfrs in the US so it's likely that the Costco battery is made by the same company that makes Motorcraft.
George
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From: Richardson, TX
I've heard that about Costco (Kirkland), I've also heard that Johnson Controls, builds the Kirkland, Motorcraft, DieHard... I think the appeal for Costco is their return policy, Sam's Club is good about that too. I'm tempted to go with Optima, I have one in my boat, the Marine Starting Battery, and it's the only starting battery that I'll have in my boat. I'd use them for my trolling motor too, but my boat takes three and they're just too expensive.