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daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
#922767
02/07/11 02:18 AM
02/07/11 02:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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2001 300m. OEM battery lasted an amazing 6-7 years. Was still working good when I pulled it because I knew it had to be on borrowed time. The replacement has only lasted 3-4 years.
Wrecked my back replacing it last time, need something that is going to last. I'm thinking about an Interstate Mega-tron II, 75 months.
What brands have been good for you?
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GO_Fish]
#922769
02/07/11 04:20 AM
02/07/11 04:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
Evil Monkey
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
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I've never bought an Interstate battery, but I have bought a few cars that had Interstate batteries in them, and those batteries lasted forever. I bought my Neon 5 years ago with an Interstate in it (not a new one either), and it's still going strong. I was just thinking last summer, as I was getting a free replacement battery for a Dura-Last that didn't last (with 2 weeks left on its full replacement warranty  ) that the next time I need to buy a battery, I'm going to buy an Interstate.
1974 'Cuda 360/TKO
1990 Ram Van
1998 Neon
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Commando1]
#922774
02/07/11 10:23 AM
02/07/11 10:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,374
Rancho Cordova, CA
Exit1965
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,374
Rancho Cordova, CA
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Quote:
I've been using Walmart for all my batteries with very good success.
Please don't hate me.
Same here, the yellow ones. The ones I've bought (2 years ago being the latest) have said "Johnson Controls" on the label.
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Mopar_Country]
#922777
02/07/11 11:26 AM
02/07/11 11:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
finadk
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
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I have had good luck with Sears Diehard Gold and Interstate. Both will survive a regharge and cime back after leaving your lights on overnight. Recently i bought 2 from sams club, forgot the brand but they ate holding up well in this severe north east cold spell.
Scott
1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed)
2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
1976 Corvette
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#922779
02/07/11 01:39 PM
02/07/11 01:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
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Quote:
Weigh a Walmart battery and weigh the most expensive battery you can find that is made by Johnson Controls and I think you will see a significant difference.
I'm in 1000% with you but, when looking for a battery, you can't lug a scale around.
I have no doubt that Walmart has the least plates at the best quality for the price. You can only hit 2 out of 3. You pick which two...
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: geno440]
#922783
02/07/11 05:39 PM
02/07/11 05:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,682
Des Moines IA
Soopernaut
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,682
Des Moines IA
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I had the original Motorcraft(Johnson Controls) battery in my DD last for 9 years. It isn't completely dead but has been replaced by an Interstate(also Johnson Controls). Hopefully I'll get another 9 years.
1970 Dodge d100/eventually going on a 77 D100 frame
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: Soopernaut]
#922784
02/07/11 07:18 PM
02/07/11 07:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
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I ran an Optima red top in the hot rod for 7 years. That's pretty good considering that it was a used battery when I got it. The Texas heat kills many batteries in 3 years.
I put another Optima in my 92 D250 Cummins (single battery truck) and it works great.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: daily driver car batteries - what brand has been good?
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#922786
02/07/11 09:57 PM
02/07/11 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I've been using Walmart for all my batteries with very good success.
Please don't hate me.
Same here, the yellow ones. The ones I've bought (2 years ago being the latest) have said "Johnson Controls" on the label.
I saw a post last year from a Johnson Controls employee( I think he was an engineer but not sure). He said that they make batteries for a lot of different venders. He said they all have the same exact plates in them but not the same number of plates. He said the Walmart batteries have the same quality of parts as any of their other batteries but they have the least number of plates. Weigh a Walmart battery and weigh the most expensive battery you can find that is made by Johnson Controls and I think you will see a significant difference.
 There are less than 5 manufacturers in the country making car batteries. Johnson Controls makes ALL of the brands mentioned above. They got most of them when they bought Globe Union in the 70s. They got the rest when they bought Optima in 2000.
Johnson controls also makes some or all of these batteries as well:
Acura, Advance Auto Parts, Autocraft, Western Auto, Tough One, Alliance, American Hardware, Ames, Varta, Blains Farm & Fleet, Battery Alliance, Bosch, Carrefour(Europe), Champion, Amara Raja Batteries LTD(Joint venture with Johnson Controls India).
Varta, Optima Batteries, LTH, and Heliar are all battery manufactures owned by Johnson Controls.
Johnson Controls supplies Ford Motor company, Diamler Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu with original equipment batteries. So next time you go and buy a battery, or a automobile chances are its a battery made by Johnson Controls.
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda
Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango
Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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