Anyone on their original battery?
#61
07-25-2008, 01:31 PM
I just changed out the OEM battery for the Optima Red Top (34R). The Optima battery comes with a height adapter which I had to use to make it fit right. ttrank is right; it is a tight fit, and you also have to remove the fuse box in the battery tray to have enough room to remove the old battery and install the new one.
The difference between the old and new batteries is very noticeable. The sound of the crank is quicker and doesn't have the lagging tone that the low-charged OEM battery had. I'm thankful the factory battery lasted this long (6 yrs and 3 months), and since this is my first Optima ever installed, I look forward to a long life with this one
Oh BTW, Optima is currently running a promotion for a $25 mail-in rebate for every Optima battery purchased:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/save2...e25_coupon.pdf
The difference between the old and new batteries is very noticeable. The sound of the crank is quicker and doesn't have the lagging tone that the low-charged OEM battery had. I'm thankful the factory battery lasted this long (6 yrs and 3 months), and since this is my first Optima ever installed, I look forward to a long life with this one
Oh BTW, Optima is currently running a promotion for a $25 mail-in rebate for every Optima battery purchased:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/save2...e25_coupon.pdf
#63
08-05-2008, 09:38 AM
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#65
08-11-2008, 04:25 PM
Originally Posted by Texan1
For all you guys bragging about having a 5 yr old battery, ummm go ahead and spring for a new $85 battery now. Do it before you come back from out of town and your car is parked at the airport and it won't start.....and now you have to beg for a jump or call a service truck. Yeah, don't wait until you are out an about and your battery dies people, its not like a pathfinder engine bay where you can just pull into an autozone torque off 2 nuts chunk the old battery and throw in the new. I guess you will learn your lesson. Batteries don't always give you a sign like a slow or hesitant start.
Its a tight fit--you have to pull all the clips out and wedge the battery out, then hold the fuse arm out of the way and wedge in the new battery and tighten everything up.
If you get a battery a bit b4 you need one, you can do this relaxed in your garage and not at night in the parking lot of autozone like me.
"oh my battery is hesitating, let me go p/up a battery at autozone and take it home to install. Arrive at autozone and as I try and go home, the car won't start, it won't take a charge either, so I'm there rubbing elbows with questionable people pulling up in 1983 crown victorias at night on a cold September evening changing my ma fawking battery."
So go on and brag, but come back and post your stories later on....my battery lasted exactly 5 yrs!
Now, I will change my battery at 4 yrs whether it needs it or not.
Its a tight fit--you have to pull all the clips out and wedge the battery out, then hold the fuse arm out of the way and wedge in the new battery and tighten everything up.
If you get a battery a bit b4 you need one, you can do this relaxed in your garage and not at night in the parking lot of autozone like me.
"oh my battery is hesitating, let me go p/up a battery at autozone and take it home to install. Arrive at autozone and as I try and go home, the car won't start, it won't take a charge either, so I'm there rubbing elbows with questionable people pulling up in 1983 crown victorias at night on a cold September evening changing my ma fawking battery."
So go on and brag, but come back and post your stories later on....my battery lasted exactly 5 yrs!
Now, I will change my battery at 4 yrs whether it needs it or not.
BOOOO! Time for a new batery.
Last edited by Klubbheads; 08-11-2008 at 04:32 PM.
#66
08-11-2008, 06:03 PM
#67
08-11-2008, 06:56 PM
#69
08-11-2008, 09:19 PM
Originally Posted by bobshuai
has to be distilled water???
Originally Posted by Klubbheads
how much did u guys pay for a replacement?
#70
08-11-2008, 11:52 PM
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#71
08-12-2008, 08:23 AM
#72
08-12-2008, 03:01 PM
#74
08-20-2008, 09:38 AM
I've never had too much trouble with batteries (knock on wood).
The charging system, battery and alternator, should be typically inspected as part of the complimentary inspection that comes with any oil change or standard maintenance service. The service manager should review the results of that inspection with you. With a brand new alternator and battery, your readings will be off the charts on the good side. A couple years later, your readings will most likely be where they are supposed to be; mid-range. And a few years later, it typically approaches the "poor" performance range, and should be replaced. Time frames and performance level examples are provided as examples for the sake of discussion.
Another sign that one of the components in the charging system is degrading is the the speed and ease at which the car starts. When it starts to get sluggish, or turnover noticeably slower, it's a good sign that somethign will need to be replaced soon. Ask the dealer to help you determine which piece is the weak link.
I've never replaced a battery simply because I had it for X number of years.
If the OEM battery requires distilled water, isn't this something the dealer would top off during a regular service interval? I'll have to ask next time I'm in.
The charging system, battery and alternator, should be typically inspected as part of the complimentary inspection that comes with any oil change or standard maintenance service. The service manager should review the results of that inspection with you. With a brand new alternator and battery, your readings will be off the charts on the good side. A couple years later, your readings will most likely be where they are supposed to be; mid-range. And a few years later, it typically approaches the "poor" performance range, and should be replaced. Time frames and performance level examples are provided as examples for the sake of discussion.
Another sign that one of the components in the charging system is degrading is the the speed and ease at which the car starts. When it starts to get sluggish, or turnover noticeably slower, it's a good sign that somethign will need to be replaced soon. Ask the dealer to help you determine which piece is the weak link.
I've never replaced a battery simply because I had it for X number of years.
If the OEM battery requires distilled water, isn't this something the dealer would top off during a regular service interval? I'll have to ask next time I'm in.
#75
08-20-2008, 10:44 AM
