Don't buy batteries from Advance!

The "best" battery is probably Optima (red or yellow tops), at least of the more well known brands.

However, the math doesn't pencil out for me.

My ~$100 batteries typically last at least 5 years.

Optima claims to get 8 years out of a battery in "ideal" conditions (4 years if you're in Phoenix). I live in Sacramento, where it does get hot, not Phoenix hot, but routinely over 100 degrees.

So even assuming I'd get the full 8 years, I'm still sending 2x as much to get 1.6x longevity. Or, if I get closer to the 4 year mark, I'd be spending more, for less. = no bueno!

Now, if when I get a winch and lights etc... that my current $100 battery can't handle, then yeah, I'll get an Optima.

 

I will never buy another Optima. I had a cell explode with my last Optima. I've had good luck with Autozone. Purchased a battery from them, it went bad for some unknown reason and they replaced it no questions asked.

 

I worked for a few years at an Advance Auto in western Maryland. They did load test batteries at our store. I have two of their batteries in my cars now, installed back in March 2013, both performing perfectly.

I haven’t bought anything at an Advance Auto store since then.....but that’s another story.

 

From what I could tell, they didn't load test it at all. When my buddy flipped his headlights on the voltage dropped below 11 in less than a minute when I was reading it with my meter, they would have know that had they tried to load test it. That's a dead battery, but they said it was good.

 

Y’all know Toyota sells batteries right? They have a 84 month warranty on one for $120. Not as cheap as some other ones with that many months but if it’s got Toyota’s name on it it’s good enough for me lol

 

I’ve always had good experiences out of advance auto’s autocraft gold. Most of mine has lasted about 6-7 years. Best car battery I’ve seen ever was my dads original Panasonic battery from his 2007 FJ. It was 10 years old when he sold it and it was still doing great.