Battery Dying
11-09-23, 07:09 AM
#106
Intermediate
I would just add that it's definitely worth investing in a portable jump starter to keep in the car. I have a fairly cheap small one, and it's bailed me out on more than one occasion.
11-09-23, 10:42 AM
#108
Firstly, in the "old" days I could tell a battery was getting weak by hearing a slow engine crank. At least you sometimes had some warning. But today's engines are controlled by relays and computers. Once a battery weakens to a certain point, you experience a no crank no start situation. And prior to that point, the car may have been running perfectly. If the "computer" senses a low, but now necessarily dead battery, you're stuck.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Last edited by NotAFiat; 11-09-23 at 10:52 AM.
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Lexspeed (11-09-23)
11-09-23, 11:34 AM
#109
Firstly, in the "old" days I could tell a battery was getting weak by hearing a slow engine crank. At least you sometimes had some warning. But today's engines are controlled by relays and computers. Once a battery weakens to a certain point, you experience a no crank no start situation. And prior to that point, the car may have been running perfectly. If the "computer" senses a low, but now necessarily dead battery, you're stuck.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Smart to be cautious and change out an aging battery. Getting stuck is a pain and very costly between a tow truck and paying retail at a dealer or repair shop.
11-09-23, 03:49 PM
#111
I never tolerate a questionable battery. Once a battery ages 3-4 years, I'm looking to replace it with a new one. The cost and hassle of getting stuck somewhere with a dead battery is unaccetable to me.
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autotech13 (11-10-23)
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