About 4 years ago I installed a new battery along with a green **** disconnect. I use a battery tender when the vehicle is done being driven for the day or whatever period of rest.

My questions....

Will I have any clue that battery replacement is due?

Or worse yet.... will I find myself needing a jump someday when I've gone somewhere in the car and shut it down?

Thanks....

 

Batteries often show their age with a weaker sounding starter when you start the car.

However, I replace batteries every 2 or 3 years "just because" so that I don't have a high likelihood of being stranded. I'd prefer to replace a battery in my garage on my schedule, than in a parking lot while running late for a meeting.

 

I haven't bought a battery in years. I use Delco group 24's, put a Battery Tender on them once a month during winter hibernation, and routinely get 6-7 years of service with no sign of any deterioration. Reproduction batteries are lucky to last two years.

 

I use a battery cutoff and then recharge the battery fully to build up the surface charge. Once charged, I never need to put a battery tender nor fuss.

Get about 6-7yrs per battery.

John

 

I haven't bought a battery since the late 70's. Bought a lifetime guaranteed Firestone and a lifetime guaranteed J. C. Penney's (which was the same manufacturer as the Firestone). They're always replaced with the best Firestone battery available (Firestone now honors the J. C. Penney's since Penney's went out of the automotive parts, I think). And, they'll typically last 6-7 years the same as JohnZ's, though I never put them on a battery tender thru the winter.

 

What determines replacement after 6 or 7 years? Do you have any warning the battery is about to fail? Is that a seat of the pants decision?

I'm trying to avoid a scenario here the car starts because it has been on the tender but has a chance of failure for a start when on it's own.

Thanks..

 

For me it is when the battery starts to seem as if it is not holding a charge as well. Even our daily drivers we do the same. Sometimes push it to ~8yrs.

I don't remove my battery, but if you remove your battery each season, then you could take it to a battery place (like Sears) and they can do a battery check (cold cranking amp check).

John

 

Then replace the battery before it's due. Replace it in 6 years. Perhaps it could have gone 7, or 8. But why tempt fate? It's a maintenance philosophy to replace critical stuff early. Batteries are only around $50. Jeez, with the crazy money we spend on these cars, and with the battery being so important, it's a no-brainer.

 

[QUOTE=Ron Miller;1559311183]I haven't bought a battery since the late 70's. Bought a lifetime guaranteed Firestone and a lifetime guaranteed J. C. Penney's (which was the same manufacturer as the Firestone). They're always replaced with the best Firestone battery available



Aren't they replaced on a Pro Rated Basis?

 

[QUOTE=geo65;1559323353]

I have one. Around here, it's a straight replacement. Last time I went in to Penny's, they told me to go to any store in town and get a "reasonable" replacement and they'd reimburse me. They advised that Firestone was not honoring the Penny's warranty any longer in this area.

The lifetime batteries cost about $100 a pop in the late '70's. If you'd invested that $100 and it doubled every ten years you'd have $800 but no battery. If you'd bought a battery every 5 years @$50 ea., you'd be hundreds ahead by not taking the lifetime in the late '70's.

The lifetimes didn't last any longer than any other good battery, they just cost more.

I asked the woman at the Penny's store how many people were still out there with the lifetime batterys. She said somebody comes in every couple months wanting a new one.

 

I have a set of jumper cables behind the seat. Just in case.

 

[QUOTE=MikeM;1559323481]Nope, replacement isn't prorated. I bought both of mine for around $70-$75 as I remember. Once when I went to have the Penney's battery adjusted, they told me that they no longer handled these, and that Firestone would adjust it. Firestone did adjust it, replaced it with a Firestone brand. So now, I have two Firestones.

About 20 years ago I went to Firestone to have one adjusted and they told me they would replace it free with a non-lifetime guaranteed battery, and when it expired, it wouldn't be adjusted. That's all the dealership could tell me, so I called Firestone's home office from the dealership. Needless to say, I was pretty hot.

Got some lady who after much discussion and unhappiness on my part, said that their lawyers had told them that they didn't legally have to honor the warranty, but if someone like myself called and complained that they would continue to honor the free replacement warranty. And, she then spoke to the local Firestone rep on the phone who then agreed to replace my battery and to note on the replacement invoice that it was a lifetime guaranteed battery.

Incidentally, I told the lady I was speaking to that although they legally may not have to replace it, that was a hell of a way to run a business, and that they could make note that I had purchased my last Firestone product. To date, I have still to buy another Firestone product, although I have continued to give them my business by periodically letting them adjust my two batteries.

I figure if that's the way they choose to do business, I can find another place to take mine, and have.