Battery thoughts
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Haverhill, MA
Battery thoughts
I have an '03 250 with 76k miles and the original battery. Starts fine, plenty of electrical power. Should I just leave it or am I on borrowed time and get a new one? Cheers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
There's no need to replace the batteries if it is still working. If you sense a degradation of cranking speed then that's the signal to get new batteries. My batteries were 11 years old when I replaced them this winter.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
EFF250,
Battery life depends on many variables. The type and size of the battery, how often the vehicle is used and for how long. Short trips can tend to lessen a batteries life over time. How well it is serviced (for ex:terminals kept clean), how well the charging system performs and it's condition. Other things like optional accessories and how often their used. Letting the battery drain and constant recharging is one of the biggest battery killers.
By being an 03 with only 76k may make one believe that it may not be driven often enough or for extended periods of time but we can only guess at your driving habits.
The battery has served you well. Do as QwikTrip mentioned.
I see that we are neighbors. I work in Amesbury and live over the line in N.H.
Battery life depends on many variables. The type and size of the battery, how often the vehicle is used and for how long. Short trips can tend to lessen a batteries life over time. How well it is serviced (for ex:terminals kept clean), how well the charging system performs and it's condition. Other things like optional accessories and how often their used. Letting the battery drain and constant recharging is one of the biggest battery killers.
By being an 03 with only 76k may make one believe that it may not be driven often enough or for extended periods of time but we can only guess at your driving habits.
The battery has served you well. Do as QwikTrip mentioned.
I see that we are neighbors. I work in Amesbury and live over the line in N.H.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 3
I think that a battery is rather inexpensive, and timewise youve done better than most. I think a fresh battery would be the way to go, compared with a failure that usually occurs at the worst time possible. Your old working battery would be a great candidate to be used in a vehicle for sale or a core on a new one.
Me personally I try to maintain vehicles to minimize failures, since several family members rely on me for help. (wife,son,daughter).
Battery several years old, tire tread at half tread or less, brakes at less than 1/3rd pad lining , all get the boot at my house.
Ill usually flip the old battery or tires on craigslist for a cheap enough price and they find a new home. Just my opinion.
Me personally I try to maintain vehicles to minimize failures, since several family members rely on me for help. (wife,son,daughter).
Battery several years old, tire tread at half tread or less, brakes at less than 1/3rd pad lining , all get the boot at my house.
Ill usually flip the old battery or tires on craigslist for a cheap enough price and they find a new home. Just my opinion.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
Holy cow, you actually change tires with 50% tread left??? I want to run a parts store in your town. 
I'm all for preventative maintenance, but that takes the idea to a wasteful extreme. I could run for several years on the parts you throw away.
One time I ran the battery in my Jeep until it flat out failed just to see how long it would go. I was just curious. I kept a jumper pack with me at all times and ended up going 2 years beyond the first signs that I needed to replace the battery. One morning I came out and the battery was dead as a door ****, but the point is that I had 2 years of warning. There is no need to replace batteries that are functioning well. It's like tossing tires with 30K miles left on the tread.....
I'm all for preventative maintenance, but that takes the idea to a wasteful extreme. I could run for several years on the parts you throw away.One time I ran the battery in my Jeep until it flat out failed just to see how long it would go. I was just curious.
I kept a jumper pack with me at all times and ended up going 2 years beyond the first signs that I needed to replace the battery. One morning I came out and the battery was dead as a door ****, but the point is that I had 2 years of warning. There is no need to replace batteries that are functioning well. It's like tossing tires with 30K miles left on the tread.....
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 938
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From: in the fast lane
I had an 02 F-150 that was cranking and doing fine. (batteries 4 years old ) Just had cranked the truck 10 mins before, cut it off and that was it would'nt do anything but click. No warning at all. Just never know when they might go. I was glad that i was not to far from home at the time.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
That's why I recommend that people carry a very capable booster battery. I've never had to use the booster battery on myself but I have used it on 5 or 6 other people over the years and it seems to work really well. I purchased a high end unit, charge it once a month, and it has lasted 7 years. It's just a little more expensive then a typical tow, and I don't have to figure out how to get a tow truck.