37 month old battery.....shot

Am about to leave Missouri to spend 3 weeks in the Arizona desert 35 miles out of Kingman, off of maintained roads where there is no AAA. Never had a bit of battery problems with this Aug 1, 2013, 6cyl SR5, purchase but being 73 yrs old stopped by Auto Zone for a battery check. They used their little machine, after 2 minutes it pops up BAD BATTERY. (probably a weak cell that the alternator could compensate for). I do believe their little machine as I've had other batteries tested at A/Z that have checked Battery OK. Have read battery threads here before and had considered Optima's, etc. Decided to go with the Auto Zone Gold. Suprising, and I bot, the group 24 a slightly smaller case size with more (750) cca than the group 27 original equipment with 715 cca. Here's the questions, tho too late for me, maybe shared experience for others....
1. Have others had bad batteries at only 37 months or 36600 mi.? 2. Was I correct opting for the higher cca of the group 24? 3. Do most of you who go off road routinely replace a battery prior to failing symptoms? 4. Do most off roaders carry one of the small size "jump starter's"? 5. Do those "jump starters" really work?

 

In Florida 37 months is about average. The heat here kills batteries fast. In fact once you buy a battery with a 5 year warranty you will likely never pay full price for another one since the battery will always die before 5 years. In MO, I doubt they get killed that fast. If you have a lot of accessories or banged the battery hard (like off roading) that can kill a cell. Jump starters do work pretty well but remember they are nothing more than batteries in a box. They also go bad. I got one from my father for xmas once and 2 years later it was toast and I never used it once.

 

3 years 36 months is absolutely average life span these days for a regular battery.
Humidity in Coasal FLA will take a toll on a battery.
Y'all have allot of water in MO as well... Water everywhere.
Replace it before your trip.
I work In Roadside asst.
you will get quick help in Phoenix Tempe scottsdale but other places are sketchy at best.
Have a safe journey.

Your existing battery will be toast in arizona

 

Agree with Skyway. Replace that thing and be done with it. Not worth the worry and enjoy your trip Stu.

 

About 3 years seems to be right for a battery.

 

time for another Northstar GB?

 

In.

 

I keep a pocket booster and it absolutely works, we can get them to start tundras in the winter!

Batteries fail, I'm just happy if it gives me warning.

 

I don't think "most" do because I don't know anyone but me that does. Probably not necessary when wheeling with a group but I still don't leave home without the Microstart XP1. And yes they really work although mine has recharged far more phones and GPS units than anything else.

 

I carry a "pocket" jump box at work. It might just be my model, but it works great when you leave it plugged in and charged. However if it hasn't been charged in a week it won't jump even a little 4 banger car. On the flip side when fully charged it will jump start a Ford 5.4l with a totally dead battery.

 

1. My last battery lasted 7 year, original toyota battery in my truck.
2. I don't know
3. I replace batteries when they die, note my sig.
4. I carry one.
5. My jump start thing from Harbor Freight works, it started the truck at least 3 times when the battery died. I had not charged it for more than a year. Hook it up and leave it connected for 10 minutes or so to charge the battery in the truck before starting for best results.

 

^^^
THIS

 

I'm in AZ and just had my battery take a shit on me on Sunday. Battery was the factory OEM one and was aprx 20 months old with 29,000 miles on it.

I upgraded to a group 31 battery using a pelfreybilt battery cage. I'm in the desert a lot and typically replace every 24months no matter what

 

I keep a jump n carry starter behind my backseat. It fits perfectly there and I only charge it every 6 months or so. Has saved me a few times from a dead battery. Highly recommend having one.

 

36 mos?? I just replaced stock toyota trustart battery after 5.5 years (66 mos) since buying new so... ok. Felt it crank weaker for about a month before oil change, they tested it and said it's almost gone, so I replaced it same day, with same battery.

 

that must be nice.... 20 months was what I got out of mine

 

20 months? I'd be at the stealer making them replace it for free.

Minus the first six months in California mine has seen snow every year after that with only finally being garaged within the last year.. only had one slight scare when it was -9° out and had to go to work at 430am. Cranked slow for 10 seconds, engine turned over, then radio and every dash light shut itself off.

 

it died unexpectedly on a sunday afternoon and i wanted to upgrade to a group 31 battery. dealership is 35mi away and i doubt they'd cover it due to all the extra crap wired to my truck

avg life span is 24-36mo on a battery here in AZ