car batterys

[renovation]

what brands to buy and any to stay clear of ~
im looking to replace 2 of them .one in my 2002 saturn vue and 1998 f-150 v8 auto.

[uncledaddy]

Delco and DieHard. Also Interstate, (my last Interstate lasted 8 years). Most batteries on the market are of quality, as long as they are maintained. Never believe that a "maintenance free" battery means that you don't have to maintain it. It just means that you generally won't be able to add liquid to the battery. Terminals need to be periodically cleaned and they should have their state of charge and load abilities checked as well. Also check for proper charging systems. The killer of batteries is faulty charging systems, poor and dirty connections, short drives and heat. And batteries that have caps where fluid levels can be checked need to be checked and have distilled water added when needed. Low levels can cause the battery to become sulfated.

[renovation]

cap type would suck in my vue as the battery has a enclosure over it. that is bolted /screwed down in the engine compartment :(

[Alpo]

popular mechanics magazine rated napa autoparts batteries high. my battery died this morning. i'm picking one up today. last battery i bought was from costco (champion). installed in a 1993 Bronco that i drive about once a month. so far its lasted 3 years.

[uncledaddy]

cap type would suck in my vue as the battery has a enclosure over it. that is bolted /screwed down in the engine compartment :(

Stick with the Delco. Very good battery. I've had one in my Nissan truck for four years now. Still strong. Even after I leave the truck sitting for over a month at a time. Though I don't recommend letting it sit that long you should always go out and at least start the vehicle and let it run a bit.

[MrGreg]

I've always gotten my car batteries at costco. Never had any problems, but I've also never had a car for more than 4 years.

[mechmike0034]

Exide, East Penn, and Johnson Controls make 95% of automotive batteries sold in the US.

Here's who makes what, blow-by-blow: http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm

[DarkFury]

The battery I trust these days is Interstate...

I used to be a big "Diehard" fan, but alas, their quality has gone way down over the past decade... So I switched to Interstate.

[renovation]

i was going to go out and buy a delco battery today for my saturn . till i realized the replacement delco battery didn't have that glowing ion that delco's use to come with. when did delco battery's do away with that feature on them ?
anyway im still trying to decide on replacements .more then likely will just get interstate replacements. went to wally world and the service guy said dont buy one of theres. the girl up front didn't know the answer to my question .she only could tell me they had came with a 2 year replacement. but not what the prorated warrienty was on the batterys and ask the guys in the garage. sure was glad he was up front about how bad there batterys really have become. said he get a lot of them going bad after 25 months old or just out of the even exchange point.

[uncledaddy]

Exide, East Penn, and Johnson Controls make 95% of automotive batteries sold in the US.

Here's who makes what, blow-by-blow: http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/batbrand.htm

Was trying to find that site, (or one like it), couldn't come up with it. Thanks. I find that info helpful as well.

[uncledaddy]

Those little indicators on the batteries were never reliable. Just a gimmick to me. But so many trusted them. :disa:

[mechmike0034]

Those little indicators on the batteries were never reliable. Just a gimmick to me. But so many trusted them. :disa:

They were a one-cell hydrometer. They went away about the time Delphi sold off their battery business.

The original Delco Freedom was one of the finest batteries made. I have a couple of the last examples in my two vehicles.

I run an Odyssey AGM battery (http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680series.htm) in my bike - also excellent, and starts the bike right up even after six months of inactivity.