Battery life thread: How long has your factory battery lasted?

My battery died today, and I couldn't get it jumped after work. Had the cables hooked up, and the starter would sound like it was grinding with each turn on the key. Fortunately, I was able to do a roll start on it and get it going. During my 15 mile trek home, the radio would cut out, due to the battery, I presume, but the motion of the vehicle kept it alive until I had parked in my driveway. I'm about to get a new battery, hoping that the solution is that, and nothing else.

The only thing out of the ordinary, was I had the radio on a little bit longer(20 mins, versus 10 mins) than normal with the engine off, before I went in for work in the parking lot. Funny thing is, I went out for lunch, and the truck ran fine. I have nothing aftermarket installed, just a radio.
Anyway, till now, I have just over 3 years on my battery, just a bit outside of my warranty period by 3 months. How long has your OEM battery lasted?

 

Well my battery on my old '13 lasted just under 2 years before it crapped out, it was a batt problem so the dealer replaced it for free. Similarly, mine just up and died one day, ran great at lunch, Dropped it with the car washers at the office, came back at 5 and wouldn't start. I was able to get a jump however and keep enough of a charge on it start it (barely) the next morning.

Yours sounds like you have some other issues going on. The battery is only used for starting the car, not for operation. All the power for everything (spark plugs, radio, lights, etc) comes from the alternator, not the battery. You might have a bad alternator, but even that wouldn't cause these exact problems, do,r maybe but not all. I'd run to your local auto parts store or dealer and have them check the alternator, battery, and go from there. If either is bad you can buy a new one right there.

 

I did fail to mention, one of my DRL's were out, and I was too lazy to replace them both. Had the bulbs, not the time to do it.

I am hoping it is not a bad alternator. that would really suck... will update in the (near) future

 

After installing the new battery, I also replaced the drl bulbs. Unfortunately, the left one is still not working. Thought I Had a burnt bulb, but looks to be more than that. Left turn signal flashes at 2x speed inside, while outside, the front turn signal does not light up. This issue probably drained my battery.

 

Yeah that sounds like some sort of other electrical issue. Wish I could be more help but this sounds like more than a simple battery or alternator problem. Good luck to you bud, let us know the final outcome.

 

replaced bulbs in my drls, and they both work now. that has been eliminated, thus far, in terms of potential issues. we'll see how this battery performs.

 

My battery lasted 3 years. Then I got into high performance stereos. Killed it in 3 months. Now I have an Optima Yellow top going on 4 years, and no problems to report.

 

I have a habit of listening to the radio 10-15mins before exiting the truck before I go in to work.

 

It lasted 2 years almost on the nose lol... Left me stranded actually lol... The battery had an internal short in it.. The OEM batteries are junky... Replaced with a Deka battery, so far so good

 

I replaced my OEM in my 07 after 5 years. There was nothing wrong with it. I figured I was on borrowed time and winter was coming. Probably would've lasted a lot longer.

 

My 08's original battery is just dying now so feel it has more than served. Use regular lights for DRL and never turn them off by switch. Door opening kills them automaticallyGoing for the yellow Optima and was wondering if anyone had CCA/CA specs on the OEM as the Optima seems a little low at 620/770, respectively. Thanks for a great forum!

 

I ended up getting a new alternator and installing it(what a pita). in hindsight, I should have kept the battery and bought a trickle charger to charge it, but I had such a full plate at that time. hopefully the new alternator will solve this issue. it's a shot in the dark, but we'll see. as for the core, I'm thinking of getting it rebuilt to a high output alternator, locally

 

mine crapped out on me 4years into owning the truck. The weirdest thing, I drove the truck fine and without a problem. I got home, went into my house..........then, when I was going to go to the store, I went to crank the truck and nothing.....completley drained. This is the first battery to leave me dead in the water. All of my previous vehicles would slowly struggle to crank........but this one did itso abruptly.

 

My 04's battery lasted 7 years or so. I was surprised, I guess that's not normal...

 

3 yrs and change and still going strong on my 12 Tacoma factory battery.

 

That's an internal batter short. Thats what happened to me, only I wasnt home lol

 

My OEM battery only lasted about 2-1/2 years.

 

4 years at 40 below zero with a command start . Replaced with 27f and 1000 cold cranking amps and the big 3 upgrade .

 

I had a 99 f150 whose original battery lasted for almost 12 years. I was gonna replace it for safety after 8 years but then it became more of a lets see how far this thing can go. I sold the truck after 10 plus years and the next owner had gotten another year plus out of it

 

Mine just died yesterday like some of the other ones mentioned here. Friday, it was working fine (no problems), then yesterday it wouldn't do anything. It has got a temporary smaller battery in it (held with bungee cord) for now until I get a new one. Any suggestions?