How long do car batteries last?

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I replaced the factory panasonic battery in my bro's 1994 honda civic last summer. That battery lasted over 10 years, it was still working fine, but I didn't want to chance it. I still have it today, has good water levels, and the plates still seem to be ok. Just needs to be charged I suppose.

Perhaps you are not only looking at a dead battery, but also something wrong in the charging system, namely the alternator.

Those Panasonic batteries are _not_ lead-acid batteries. They were also used in the original Miata and are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. While they deliver the same power as a lead-acid battery, they typically last 10 or more years.

Any more than 5 years from a lead-acid battery is exceptional.

ZV

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Baked
My Interstate Battery lasted a good 4 years before replacement.

Arguably - the best batteries made.

Cars in Southern climates lasy no more than 2-3 years.

Ah bull. The OEM batteries that have been in my car lasted more like 5-6 years and I only replaced as a preventative measure.

Personally I like AC Delco batteries; Honda seems to as well😉

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Baked
My Interstate Battery lasted a good 4 years before replacement.

Arguably - the best batteries made.

Cars in Southern climates lasy no more than 2-3 years.

Ah bull. The OEM batteries that have been in my car lasted more like 5-6 years and I only replaced as a preventative measure.

Personally I like AC Delco batteries; Honda seems to as well😉

Agreed. The oem battery in our 4Runner is still running well 7 years after we bought the truck new in '98.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I replaced the factory panasonic battery in my bro's 1994 honda civic last summer. That battery lasted over 10 years, it was still working fine, but I didn't want to chance it. I still have it today, has good water levels, and the plates still seem to be ok. Just needs to be charged I suppose.

Perhaps you are not only looking at a dead battery, but also something wrong in the charging system, namely the alternator.

Those Panasonic batteries are _not_ lead-acid batteries. They were also used in the original Miata and are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. While they deliver the same power as a lead-acid battery, they typically last 10 or more years.

Any more than 5 years from a lead-acid battery is exceptional.

ZV

I didn't know that, thanks for the clarification. I suppose AGM is better technology than (S)LA batteries (going on the basis that they last a lot longer).

I haven't an idea what honda's come with from the factory nowadays. I know that the panasonic that was in there was not a maintence-free battery; it had caps to add water/elecroltes etc. I believe it is a 51R group size.

 

[quizzelsnatch]

"ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!"

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I replaced the factory panasonic battery in my bro's 1994 honda civic last summer. That battery lasted over 10 years, it was still working fine, but I didn't want to chance it. I still have it today, has good water levels, and the plates still seem to be ok. Just needs to be charged I suppose.

Perhaps you are not only looking at a dead battery, but also something wrong in the charging system, namely the alternator.

Those Panasonic batteries are _not_ lead-acid batteries. They were also used in the original Miata and are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. While they deliver the same power as a lead-acid battery, they typically last 10 or more years.

Any more than 5 years from a lead-acid battery is exceptional.

ZV

I didn't know that, thanks for the clarification. I suppose AGM is better technology than (S)LA batteries (going on the basis that they last a lot longer).

I haven't an idea what honda's come with from the factory nowadays. I know that the panasonic that was in there was not a maintence-free battery; it had caps to add water/elecroltes etc. I believe it is a 51R group size.

AC Delco is the OEM for Honda batteries. That's what was put in my car back in the mid 90's at the dealer and that's what came in my friend's Odyssey.

 

[Aquaman]

I had an interstate on my civic for about 10 years........ I know...... I know........ but it still worked 🙂

Cheers,
Aquaman <<<<<<< lazy bastard

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Aquaman
I had an interstate on my civic for about 10 years........ I know...... I know........ but it still worked 🙂

Cheers,
Aquaman <<<<<<< lazy bastard

What's up Aquaman ya fat bastard!!😀

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Aquaman
I had an interstate on my civic for about 10 years........ I know...... I know........ but it still worked 🙂

Cheers,
Aquaman <<<<<<< lazy bastard

What's up Aquaman ya fat bastard!!😀

You get into my belly........... after my date wit h Sealy 😛 😉

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Apathetic]

They usually last about 4-5 years. It will last less if you live someplace with very harsh winters and you keep your car outside.

Dave

 

[Hammer]

my last battery lasted 5 years.

 

[Ausm]

Anything over 4 years is pushing the envelope.

Ausm

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Wingznut

Originally posted by: CraigRT
Depends on the car. I find Mopar batteries are almost unacceptably crappy.

my 2001 Neon had the battery replaced under warranty just over a year later, in 2002.

I am still on the 2nd battery, but god knows it will probably go at any time now.

I'll just get an Optima next time.

Well, you can't judge an entire product on one experience. Both of my 98 Dodges have their original battery.

I spent 10 years as a mechanic, most of that time working at Dodge/Jeep dealerships. Mopar batteries are no worse than any other OEM, imho.

It's not based on one experience.
I regular at Neons.org and most 2nd gen owners have had 1 or 2 batteries after the first one... maybe its just Neon batteries, but they are absolutely craptastic!

 

[BD2003]

It was just a loose connection, go figure. I find this out AFTER I buy a new battery.

 

[BD2003]

The new battery was used once, to jumpstart the car. Now its sitting in my trunk...a year or two from now, when I finally need it, will it be fine?

 

[njmodi]

Originally posted by: BD2003
The new battery was used once, to jumpstart the car. Now its sitting in my trunk...a year or two from now, when I finally need it, will it be fine?

No. If your old battery is a few years old, just replace it with the new one.

 

[IGBT]

..I've never had good luck wit the things..if it says it's a 48 month batt..if it's mine it will be dead 48 months later exactly.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper

Optima batteries > all others

Optima is good. 🙂

Good brands include:

Douglass (Guardian)
Trojan
Concorde
Lifeline
Optima
Exide-Yuasa
Sonnenschein (Prevailer)

Top of the Line:

Rolls-Surette

Not that ATOT landlubbers have heard of these! 😛

yea u can't say anything > all.... look at the consumer reports ratings. no brand was tops for every battery size catagory. it was rather inconsistent really. u gotta look up the ratings.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper

Optima batteries > all others

Optima is good. 🙂

Good brands include:

Douglass (Guardian)
Trojan
Concorde
Lifeline
Optima
Exide-Yuasa
Sonnenschein (Prevailer)

Top of the Line:

Rolls-Surette

Not that ATOT landlubbers have heard of these! 😛

CAR batteries;are whats needed,LOL. 😉

Delco,
Exide,
Walmart sells a decent medium price battery,for $39.95;I need to go buy one also,LOL.

If there is an Advance Auto parts,or Auto Zone check them out,they will ususally have a tester to be able to check the battery and charging system.