HOMER350

Geez I remember those. I used to spend $$$ on batteries, not anymore.

There's a battery only shop near me. They sell new or refurbished non-name batteries.
Blank batteries, their own "brand". All sizes and types, warehouse full of them.

They're less than 1/2 the price, 2-3 times the CCA, and double the warranty. Place has been in business since the 70s or 80s and hold true to their name.

They even come out and swap it for you.
Also will test individual cells to see if you even need a new battery which isn't rocket science but the auto parts places dont do that they take all day to tell you it holds a charge or not.

Kennyr44

After 25 years and thousands of cars we sold and serviced early on I realized battery longevity is a crapshoot. You win some you lose some. Lots died the first year, most made it 3 years and very few went to 6+ years.

SW17LS

I have never understood the obsession with getting incredible life out of a car battery. Its $150. When I drove cars longer term I replaced them every 3 years just as a maintenance item, that way I never had any issues.

mmarshall

I got some 7 years out of the factory battery in my 1984 Mazda. But I think that was because I was driving four or five times the yearly mileage back then than I am today.....often, for 50-60 miles a day or more. All that mileage kept the battery charged up.

But I paid for it in other areas LOL...I had to replace the GE or Sylvania sealed-beam halogen headlights, on average, twice a year, because I did a lot of driving after dark. It was fairly easy, though, to do it yourself, and you could get the bulbs on sale at Trak Auto (remember them?) for $9.95.

Toys4RJill

I do hear what you are saying. I learned a long time back to replace batteries before they go on you somewhere as a preventative maintenance item. For me, the Panasonic batteries that come with Japan built models seem to be a little better or different than the North American batteries...I have also heard it is impossible to get a OEM original Panisonic battery as they are not available to public aside from new car purchases. My 04 4Runner is on its third battery as the first battery lasted almost 7 years...2nd battery lasted almost as long but the alternator cable corroded taking the alternator and the battery with it. Same day that happened my Corolla battery went bad in the middle of a McDonald’s parking lot while we were eating ice cream. So when we got and oil change and winter tires added to the Matrix, we just changed out the battery so we just weren’t stranded. Roadside is pretty good as they will just do the new battery on the spot if does happen.

Dockof-bay

I remember going to sears auto at the mall and always getting diehards installed. Was it the service or the cool black battery. Either way i don't recall using the warranty, So, i assume they held up pretty well. Talking the late 70's.

mmarshall

In the 1970s, Die-Hards had a lifetime free-replacement warranty, but that was also about the time they gradually started chipping away at that warranty......down to the 3 years free-replacement it is today.

Toys4RJill

Ford once had "lifetime warranty" on any Ford dealer repairs as well

mmarshall

I don't totally, but vaguely remember that...but, again, don't recall the details.

Some parts are pretty much impossible to give a lifetime warranty on, though, Brakes, tires, wiper blades, etc...are going to wear out like clockwork and have to be replaced.

geko29

FCP Euro provides a lifetime warranty on everything they sell, unless it comes in a tube or spray can (and is therefore impossible to return). That includes suspension components, brakes, wiper blades, everything. I even talked to one person who uses their warranty for oil changes, though for me personally that's a bridge too far.

Toys4RJill

Do you remember when Chevrolet was 3/50K and Jeep was 7/70k in the early 90s.

I’d have to find my old Ford repair ad that I have somewhere

mmarshall

I remember the Jeep 7/70 more than the Chevy 3/50.