Dumb Battery Question

I took my truck in for my "free" oil change compliments of the dealer I bought it from and they do a multi-point inspection, which must mean to spill oil all over my truck, didn't pull skid either.
Anyway, they informed me my battery is at about half of it's CCA's. I don't know how old it is. Which leads me to my long winded stupid question. I have used Optimas in my rock crawlers and 4x4 vans. But are they really worth the money? Is there another that is comparable for less money?
I won't have a bunch of lights and will be putting a winch on, so I don't expect to have a heavy load on the battery, so I guess that's why I don't feel the need to throw a bunch of money down. So what's everyone using?

 

Get a battery with a good warranty, OEM is good but I prefer Interstate batteries, you can warranty them in USA and Canada without issue. Optima is overkill and I find to be more of a bragging thing for mod lists.

My rule is 5 years or older you're on borrowed time.

Hot climate areas 3 years or older.

Some batteries last for 15 years but I like to know its gonna start.

 

Since Optima moved to Mexico, there quality has gone down hill. Get a decent AGM from a local store that has a good warranty.

 

My 2010 2.7l 5sp Access Cab battery has been very sluggish for starts this winter, and just managed to make the starter click this evening. I'm right at 99,950 miles, guess I won't get 100k out of this one. I'll run out tomorrow and pick one up. I've used Interstate as replacement in other vehicles, and guess I'll get another for my Tacoma. My local Costco has best prices around.

 

Deka Intimidator AGM, made by East Penn.

 

I have been replacing my batteries every 5 years, for that exact reason.

 

Northstar. Ive got two of them and theyre both great

 

You probably don't need an AGM, and there are only a few battery manufacturers. Get the Gold level or whatever has a good warranty wherever they have them on sale. I've used AutoZone and Walmart batteries for years, they are identical and usually make it through the warranty period.

I will say that the Panasonic battery that came in our 4Runner lasted for 9 years and was still working fine, but I got nervous and replaced it anyway. Not sure you can even get those here, though.

 

I used to run Optima's before they went to shit. Now I run AC Delco Gold. Find someone who works for a dealer that carries them and you can get them for a lower price.

 

The problem with optima batteries is they don’t charge all the way with short trips. I have a few customers that have optima batteries and don’t drive their cars very far and bring their cars in a few times a year to recharge the battery. If you drive a lot on long hauls a gel cell battery will be fine.

 

I've heard of this too.. something about how the rate of charge (that you get from your alternator) is not a good match for the optimas

 

No. Overpriced to say the least. Dont get the love this forum gives to Optimas, think it just a "look at me" type thing.

 

Thanks for all the great advice. The last Optima I had let me down in the winter on my 4x4 van that I didn't drive much, but the battery was brand new and now that all makes sense. I get a discount at NAPA through work so I'll check there first. I'm going to do a Google search and see what stores are close to where we usually go camping and wheeling just for fun. I didn't really think about the warranty but that's something that might influence my decision on where I buy. Hopefully it's not Wal-Mart.

 

This thread sucks, OP says dumb question and no dumb question inside.. Garbage.


I like Northstar (X2 Power sister battery sold at Batteries+). For a daily driver some Gold battery like others have said.

 

Yeah, Part of the "deal" when you buy from Glenwood Springs Ford in Colorado. They appearantly spilled oil all over my engine and filled my skid plate, and got oily hand prints on the hood and steering wheel. "Free"

 

Unless your doing extreme offroading with lots of power accessories, spending $300 on an AGM isn't worth it to me. I'd rather spend $100 to $150 every 3 years for a 27F (worst case), vs. spending $300+ for an AGM which might last at least 5 years but possibly still have a quality defect at year 2 or year 3. If you are sponsored and have someone else (or an organization) buying you an AGM or Optima battery everytime it goes bad, they are fine to use.

Walmart Evermaxx 27F (if its available) or Napa Legend 27F would be fine (these are the same Johnson Controls lead acid battery). Both have good warranties and they are cheap to replace once they are into the pro-rated portion of the warranty.

 

I had a local dealership tell me my battery was on the verge of failing when I took it in for an oil change. Well, i drove it another 5K miles and took it in to same dealership and the battery was just fine when they checked it again. I've prolly put on 20K miles since then. Don't take their word for it, test it yourself, or just drive it with a jump pack handy

 

Lots of auto parts brands have 'good lifetime warranties' and it's a good thing because you will be replacing them for a lifetime. I'm not knocking it but it's a good thing those parts have that kind of warranty.

He said he doesn't have all kinds of lights and no winch so there is no need for the biggest size/rating you can stuff in. The correct size and rating will be good.

 

I'm running 2 Interstate mt7's (agm). These are pricey, but solid. Have them in all my vehicles, after optimas all failed short lived.

 

A 27 AGM from O'reilly, Sears or Vatozone (they're the same battery w/different stickers) is ~$170. Mine from O'reilly ran my fridge, truck, multiple lights & my inverter on my FZJ80 on MANY camping trips & never let me down. I sold it w/+4 years of use & it still worked well. ~$170 for 5 years of dependability & ease of an AGM is way worth it to me. I will probably do the same on my Taco, but for now it has a new Mopar battery in it (from the Dodge dealership I bought the truck from). I've spent hours upon hours of researching batteries, have done many far/long travels in remote places & have camped a ton using mine, so have confidence in what I post about this subject.