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OEM Battery Life

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by Elkhound, Apr 3, 2013.

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7 Year Old OEM Battery Replacement

Poll closed May 3, 2013.
  1. Replace now as a precaution.

    41.2%
  2. Run it until it dies.

    58.8%
  1. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:18 AM
    #1
    Elkhound

    Elkhound [OP] Member

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    Kurt
    New Hampshire
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    My 2006 Taco still has its original battery. At 7 years and 70k miles there is still a "green" dot on the battery condition eye. No problems with starting (catches on the 3rd crank) and I have maintained the acid level yearly using distilled water. Should I keep the original until failure or replace as a precaution due to age? Your thoughts:confused:
     
  2. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:28 AM
    #2
    randyg123

    randyg123 Well-Known Member

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    If it ain't broke, don't fix it :) My original OEM batteries in a Camry and a Highlander each lasted about 6-7 years. Replacements rarely seem to last more than a few years. Keep yours until it goes. I've already had to replace my 08 Taco battery last year.
     
  3. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:32 AM
    #3
    kryten

    kryten Well-Known Member

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    I replaced my 27F OEM battery in January. Truck is and '07 purchased in October of '06. That makes it 6 1/4 years old. After and oil change at the dealer they suggested to replace it as a precaution as it aparently had only 450cca. I did get a new 27F 710cca 165min reserve capacity Interstate. Living in cold Canada, did not want to take any more chances. Imo 6 years is respectable.

    In US you can get OEM True Start 27F battery for $85 or less. Up here, they charge $200. For $85 or so I would just get it done.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2013
  4. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:49 AM
    #4
    ABA180

    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    Chris
    East Bridgewater MA
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    Keep it till it goes is usually my motto.

    My buddy had trouble with his battery once and just changed it at 5 yrs from then on..I say that because he repairs copy machines and has to use his own car for driving, so no car equals no work. It's worth the $60 every 5 years for the peace of mind even if in theory he could get a little longer out of it.
     
  5. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:50 AM
    #5
    Who Dat Popcorn

    Who Dat Popcorn Dafuq

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    Still on my original :D at 70K miles.
     
  6. Apr 3, 2013 at 3:10 PM
    #6
    DGXR

    DGXR Well-Known Member

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    Sacramento, CA
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    I say run it until it quits, unless you might face unusual and/or severe consequences for a dead battery (frostbite, loss of job, etc).

    My 2006 is still on the original battery, 87k miles.
     
  7. Apr 6, 2013 at 6:08 AM
    #7
    Shadetree

    Shadetree Well-Known Member

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    Can you afford to be stranded???

    See the map from study conducted by Interstate Batteries on the average life of a car battery at the beginning of Section 7 in the Car and Deep Cycle Battery FAQ on www.batteryfaq.org. Temperature matters!
     
  8. Apr 6, 2013 at 6:16 AM
    #8
    Murdog

    Murdog Member

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    I'm at seven years and 130k still using original batt and never added water. Amazing. Army mentality-If it ain't broke don't fix it.
     
  9. Apr 6, 2013 at 4:42 PM
    #9
    Raceline08

    Raceline08 Well-Known Member

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    Rock it till it takes a dump, then mount it on your wall!

    Brett
     
  10. Apr 7, 2013 at 4:26 PM
    #10
    ImpulseRed008

    ImpulseRed008 Gone But Not Forgotten

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    OEM SS tube steps, Access LE tonneau cover, pop n'lock, AVS in-channel vent visors, stubby antenna, Wet Okole seat covers, bed mat, rear diff breather mod, 4 extra d rings in bed, K&N air filter.
    On battery number 3 for my '08 (bought Oct 07). Both other batteries tested bad for cca's and was recommended they be changed - was getting ready for a trip both times and didn't want to be stranded again. First one lasted ~29 months and the other lasted about 2 years.

    Camry battery lasted 5 years and replacement (not oem) just rolled over 9 years old (been recommended the last 2 years to replace :eek: - just haven't done it yet)
     
  11. Apr 7, 2013 at 4:30 PM
    #11
    Jetman1979

    Jetman1979 Well-Known Member

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    I replace my battery every 4 years needed or not. Average battery life is 4 years. So you might be one of those people that wait till it craps out but not me because it will crap out at a bad time in the rain or snow maybe when you have a appointment. Hey might even crap just between payday when you spent all your money on beer.
    Dont worry it will happen. Let me also say batterys go out with no warning.
     
  12. Apr 7, 2013 at 4:59 PM
    #12
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Colder climate, batteries last longer. We're happy with 4 years, but 7 years is definitely on borrowed time in any part of the country.

    Problem is, when they go, they go with no warning. You'll be out truckin' around, stopping and restarting all day, then you'll get in and suddenly it won't start.
    Get a jump, it'll roll just fine, everything will seem okay. Shut down, and it'll be dead again.

    Not a good thing to happen off road, in the boonies, or at 5am on the way to work.
     
  13. Apr 7, 2013 at 4:59 PM
    #13
    kryten

    kryten Well-Known Member

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  14. Apr 9, 2013 at 3:24 PM
    #14
    bubba353z

    bubba353z Titles? We don't need no stinkin' titles.

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    What he said.

    Used to be they'd start slower when the were dying - the last two I had to replace we're fine in the morning and the wouldn't start the next try.
     
  15. Apr 9, 2013 at 8:50 PM
    #15
    Raceline08

    Raceline08 Well-Known Member

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    That's just foolish? Every 4 years really? I understand what your talking about but your just throwing money away. Crap will happen either way ya figure it eventually .

    I know it's no oem but I've had an interstate battery last 14 years in my old ford, the guys at interstate took a pic of me and my truck and put it on their wall at their shop.

    For the op their are lots of variables as far as battery life is concerned , like weather , temperature, how many times the battery has been drained ( I mean listening to the radio with the vehicle off for extended periods of time, possible dead battery from a short etc) blah blah. There are lots of things that will premature a batteries life.
    Thanks,

    Brett
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2013
  16. Apr 9, 2013 at 10:12 PM
    #16
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    My 07 factory battery gave up the ghost suddenly last month. Started fine in the morning, drove to work, went to leave and it wouldn't do anything. Had 12.5 volts but dropped to 0 the moment I turned the key and like 3 if I turned on the headlights (which wouldn't work). With that said, I'd run it personally.
     
  17. Apr 11, 2013 at 8:37 PM
    #17
    Hardscrabble

    Hardscrabble Well-Known Member

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    I voted to replace now, before failure. I've always been a preventative type maintainer on my vehicles. Fix it before it fails. Seven yrs. on a battery is good.
     
  18. Apr 12, 2013 at 11:04 PM
    #18
    Raceline08

    Raceline08 Well-Known Member

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    Santa Rosa, ca
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    I've alway been a preventative person on my rigs also, like greasing u joints, checking the air filter before it gets to dirty, rotating tires before its too late, checking the air pressure once a week, changing the oil and filter blah blah.

    I've always been told from numerous people. ( If it ain't broke don't fix it!) I believe in that. To each their own.

    Thanks,

    Brett
     
  19. Apr 13, 2013 at 6:17 AM
    #19
    Shadetree

    Shadetree Well-Known Member

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    A battery costs the equivalent of three oil changes, lasts a lot longer if properly maintained, and like oil, required to operate the vehicle.
     
  20. Apr 13, 2013 at 12:30 PM
    #20
    Highland Logan

    Highland Logan UBIQUE

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    When I traded in my '99 Mazda, for my '11 Tacoma, it still had the original battery. I never had any issues with it.

    Frank
     

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