Replacement Battery

[GMCChevy]

Most batteries aren't lasting as long as they used to. After going through a lot of omes that were junk I've had the most luck with Walmart batteries.
Delcos used to be decent but not in a long time. AGM batteries aren't what they used to be either.

 

[swathdiver]

But that doesn't give them a license to sell junk.
My original GM issue Delco battery lasted 7 years.
The replacement Delco lasted 5 years.
This replacement Delco a hair over 3 years. Something is wrong there.

Original everything that comes in the cars seems to last longer.

It also depends on how we use the cars over the years and where we live. I had a battery that was doing great until the body shop let it drain dead twice. By that point it was almost 6 years old and it was a 30 month battery. Then my last 48HPG died at 43 months.

 

[ss4chad]

But that doesn't give them a license to sell junk.
My original GM issue Delco battery lasted 7 years.
The replacement Delco lasted 5 years.
This replacement Delco a hair over 3 years. Something is wrong there.

Battery technology has not improved or changed much over the past 60 almost 70 yrs. Other than an AGM (Absorbed Glass Material) and a VERY limited availability of actual Gel Batteries, not AGM, the standard Lead acid plate battery is the same now as it was when your Dad, Grandpa or Great Grandpa bought a battery back in the 30's, 40's or 50's!
Even Optima batteries are lead acid, the only different being they are spiral wound instead of straight/flat plates.

The issue is that vehicles have far surpassed the technology of todays battery and the battery manufacturers haven't kept up. Now don't jump on here and say "Well my Tesla battery ............." stop right there!! That is a Lithium Ion Battery that is controlled (massively) electronically and not a Lead Acid battery!

Today's Vehicles are so much more reliant on a power source than what they use to be. The PCM or ECM, Satellite Radio, on board cameras, parking sensors, TPMS, HID or LED bulbs, electric seats-heated and cooled, audio and video screens-amps-sub woofers, electronic transmission shifting, ABS, sun roofs, rear hatch lifts, electric mirrors heated/cooled/folding/lighted, etc....... The power demand has increased 500% I'm guessing although my numbers may be a bit off!

Typically the battery warranty is just about what you get out of it, give or take a few months. If your lucky enough to have a 3yr battery that lasted 5yrs, then lucky you!

From the research I've done their is one battery that I have read Post's about that repeatably brag about the longevity of a particular brand. But I think testimonies that I've read are subjective at the very least. Different operating conditions-climate play a key factor in the life of a battery.

I work Full Time for an Airline and I've been turning wrenches for over 40 yrs, aircraft have standby batteries for emergency essential bus items. The engines don't have a battery like vehicles do because they have their own generators. So the gear box (via a radial drive shaft) keeps a Constant Speed generator running smoothly and efficiently supplying all the power that the engine and aircraft need. When the AC is on the ground it uses an APU for a power supply, which does use a battery to start it!

I've said too much but I think you get my point. Car batteries will last 1-2-3 yrs as their warranties imply, any length past those posted warranty dates is a WIN and should be celebrated!

Cheers!

Chad

 

[Fless]

I currently work PT at O'Reilly's just for the discounts and pocket change. The 'Free Replacement" of a Battery is a true statement to an extent, yes you get a free battery in the event that your battery takes a crap (for example) in the 42 month warranty period.
However, your 42 month warranty DOES NOT start over! Your warranty is only applicable to the original purchase date.

So if you bought a 42 month battery on Jan 1, 2022 and it took a crap on Jan 1, 2025 then you get a 'Free Replacement' battery with a 6 month warranty!

O'Reilly's, AutoZone, NAPA, Advance all use the EXACT TERMS for Battery warranty. Yes some stores will try and work with you and your battery needs, but don't expect or demand it! I know that O'Reilly and Autozone don't Pro Rate batteries any more and stopped doing that about 5 yrs ago, as stated above you just get a new battery (free) with a greatly reduced warranty.

Chad

A workaround for the replacement battery's warranty issue is to first make sure the replacement is fresh and has a recent manufacture date sticker. Then when it fails, don't produce a receipt and the warranty should be honored based on the manufacturing date.

 

[Doubeleive]

and to top that off there is like 3 battery manufactures in the USA, so all those walmart, auto zone, o'rielly, etc, etc, mostly come from the same place and they just slap there sticker on it. next time you go into any of the above mentioned places take a closer look and compare. it's plain as day.....
at that point it just boils down to who may have the current best price
even interstate changed there design about 3 years ago depending on the model it may come from Germany or China
next time you go into costco stop by the tire center and take a look, there are stickers on them one shows the date and the other where it was made.
I can assure you 100% walmart does not make a battery, neither does auto zone or any other auto parts dealer.

 

[gtrslngrchris]

My understanding has been that virgin lead scarcity/price is the reason for batteries being trash the last 10+ years. You have to spend quite a lot on an enthusiast lead acid battery to have one that rivals the old days for longevity.

 

[ss4chad]

and to top that off there is like 3 battery manufactures in the USA, so all those walmart, auto zone, o'rielly, etc, etc, mostly come from the same place and they just slap there sticker on it. next time you go into any of the above mentioned places take a closer look and compare. it's plain as day.....
at that point it just boils down to who may have the current best price
even interstate changed there design about 3 years ago depending on the model it may come from Germany or China
next time you go into costco stop by the tire center and take a look, there are stickers on them one shows the date and the other where it was made.
I can assure you 100% walmart does not make a battery, neither does auto zone or any other auto parts dealer.

100% Correct!

Other than a small handful of companies like Schumacher and Odyssey, just about all batteries are made by one of three manufacturers. Of course that doesn't include batteries made by Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Honda, BMW or other Foreign Car Companies.

Hey Doubeleive, you staying safe out there against the Fires? Hope you and your family and friends stay safe!

Chad

 

[GMCChevy]

Even when they're made by the same manufacturer they're still specifics their different customers require so they're not all created equal.

 

[ss4chad]

A workaround for the replacement battery's warranty issue is to first make sure the replacement is fresh and has a recent manufacture date sticker. Then when it fails, don't produce a receipt and the warranty should be honored based on the manufacturing date.

I will try to be nice in my reply to your message but, don't try that O'Reilly's or Autozone.
No receipt is No warranty. That is SOP.
We have people coming in all the time who bought a used car with an O battery or a Zone battery that went to shit but the sticker on the side of the battery showed a MFG date within the warranty period, but they can't produce a receipt and we can't find a receipt in a customers purchase history so they are SOL.
Scream, *****, rant, swear they are never coming back if we don't honor a warranty, it doesn't matter, get out and don't come back, these corporations aren't gonna lose any sleep or money if they don't come back. 90% of those people suck it up and by a battery anyway and most of the time we will give them 10% off and throw in a free packet of battery grease or terminal protectors. But you will be hard pressed to get a free battery!

Are there O managers and Zone managers who will succumb and hand out free batteries? Of course their are, but those instances are not often, that free battery comes out of the Store Managers monthly incentives (sales) and not many are in a position financially to give away part of their paycheck!

Chad

 

[Doubeleive]

100% Correct!

Other than a small handful of companies like Schumacher and Odyssey, just about all batteries are made by one of three manufacturers. Of course that doesn't include batteries made by Mercedes, Audi, Toyota, Honda, BMW or other Foreign Car Companies.

Hey Doubeleive, you staying safe out there against the Fires? Hope you and your family and friends stay safe!

Chad

all good, pretty far north of all that mess about 5 hours away, nothing to burn here just farmland
I was thinking though it would suck if your house happened to survive in a burned out area as you would have no running water, power or gas. all of it is shut off and each unit has to be capped off so it may be months or years with no utility's so still screwed.....