Best car battery brand?

When I was living at home with my parents, I had a covered garage, so my car battery would last about 5 years, sometimes longer. Ever since I moved out on my own, closer to the ocean and salt water in the atmosphere, and also no covered car port or garage I notice the average life of my car battery has been about 3.5 years. I usually go with Interstate or Die Hard, should I invest more and buy an OPTIMA? I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Pre runner double cab, V6 engine. Also what are AGM batteries? I was told that places like Nevada and Arizona are lucky if car batteries last 1 year, is the heat really a factor?

 

Automobile batteries are strange things sometimes. I've had good luck with with some and bad at other times with the same brand. I have a 17 yr old john deer lawn tractor that had the same battery for 11 yrs., since then I've had 1 of the same brand and 2 of other brands. Last summer I had to replace the battery in my 2016 Tacoma OF yet I have a 2010 Highlander that's still running the original battery even though it only has 25000 miles on it. I have always kept my my batteries serviced so I guess the charging systems and the quality of manufactor are the biggest factors in how long they last. I used to think the weather had a lot to do with it but I live in Alabama where temperatures range from 100 degrees to down in the teens. I usually try to buy the right cranking amps and reserve with the best warranty. I know I probably haven't been of much help but this has been my experience.

 

Heat is a major factor, but to the other reply, it's all relative to how well it was made. There is a reason the automotive industry has tests for all new car parts and it's called "Arizona Testing"... if whatever part you make can handle that heat and sun, it's good.

Heat just wears stuff out faster and cold reduces/slows the chemical reaction so you get less power to the starter. That's about all that I know on batteries. Salt environments are bad on everything, so that doesn't help any.

 

Thanks for the reply. GR8APE, what do you mean by keeping your batteries serviced? Is there something additional I can do to make my battery last longer? I thought most batteries were maintenance free now days?

 

Optima or Odyssey...

 

Some batteries not many these days have caps on the top that are removable to be able to check the water level. I usually added distilled water to keep the level acceptable. Most batteries these days have sealed tops. I also routinely remove and clean the terminals to keep away any corrosion. About twice a year , especially if the vehicle has not been used much I will have a load test done to check the battery's condition.

 

^^^ I havent seen a battery like that in years!

 

I just put this in on Monday. It says X2 but it is a NorthStar has 5 year full replacement. We will see how good it is.

 

I have good experience with Optima battery.

 

You're right, you won't see many these days however that's the type of battery that is in my 2010 Highlander and it's the original oem that it came with new. Doesn't help the OP much though, I just hope he can find one that's been as good.

 

I have heard that Optima’s quality has been hit or miss the past few years due to a change in ownership. Most people nowadays are recommending Northstar as the agm go-to. That being said, my optima red top from 2010 (before the change in ownership) is going strong after 8 years in the northwest.

 

I have had good luck with the Optima's but check theses out too...

http://www.odysseybattery.com/

 

in my BMW motercycle.

 

Optima or Interstate.

 

this is the latest in "wet" battery technology. How good are they, only time will tell. I will know in a few years.

http://www.powerframe.com/en-us/whats-inside

 

I like Toyota Tru-start batteries. And most of the time to have it installed is gonna be cheaper than most auto part store brands. Prices of batteries have seemed to skyrocket since the mid 2000's.

 

I've had good luck with Interstate so I stick with them. Like motor oil, there's no such thing as a "best" battery in this day and age. They're all pretty damn good.

 

I have been buying INTERSTATE batteries for years, best I ever had and long lasting! Well, my 03 Taco died, went to Interstate and they said my bat was 10 years old, so I said give me another and the manager said the new ones won't last that long, no matter what brand I buy due to hazmat recycling, all batteries are made from recycled parts and luckey if it lasted 5 years! New plastic housing, recycled Inners, depressing...

 

I've had an Optima yellowtop for about 2 years now and so far so good. I'm going to buy the Optima battery charger and also going to be adding another battery for offroad lighting/winching in the not too distant future.

 

I am a OPTIMA RED TOP guy, in my 2nd Gen I had one for 10 years (REALLY), 10 years
I have one in my 1st Gen as well.
When my 3rd gen needs a new battery its getting another red top