When do you replace a battery?

[RickB]

Wife's car sat unused for 36 hrs in the coldest weather we have had so far this season and she said it cranked slowly, but started. I checked and it was the original battery in a 2006 Ford Escape. It got a new battery the next day based on battery age and my disinterest in chasing a no-start at her workplace or hearing about it. Any other batteries I own have to die before being replaced.

 

[BobRip]

You've got to keep jumper cables in your car...and know how to use 'em.

Right on. You can also stand by your vehicle and hold the cables up. They make a good dead battery flag. Somebody in a pickup will stop and help.

 

[Johnp33]

When I am servicing a vehicle I measure the voltage, and if it is low I put it on a regulated charger, clean the terminals, add die-electric grease, then test the alternator output, and charging voltage. It must have at least 13.8 to fully charge a battery. I will advise them to come back in a couple of days and I will check it again, charging voltage, output and after sitting for an hour the battery voltage. A battery's life is shortened every time it is killed, very few will last long if killed a dozen times, below 6 volts.

 

[RoyJackson]

Right on. You can also stand by your vehicle and hold the cables up. They make a good dead battery flag. Somebody in a pickup will stop and help.

Yeah...I've always carried them...but the one time they weren't in the truck, I left my lights on (this was before most vehicles had the warning chimes or buzzers).
Plenty of folks offered to give me a jump...if I had cables.

 

[brokenknee]

You've got to keep jumper cables in your car...and know how to use 'em.

Right on. You can also stand by your vehicle and hold the cables up. They make a good dead battery flag. Somebody in a pickup will stop and help.

I agree, someone will usually be willing to help. I always do since I have been there.

Battery in my truck is oem purchased new back in 2002. I most likely jinxed myself by saying that.

That said, my work vehicle is less than a year old and had to have both batteries replace already.

 

[hrcarver]

When I'd rather have the time than money. I've dragged out stuff I rarely use to a over a year of jumping off, something I need regularly gets a battery the second time I jump it off.

 

[5030]

I run 'em until they puke and get another......

 

[pat32rf]

And when I buy or make booster cables they are both heavy enough and long enough. One of our local auto stores recently advertised "heavy duty #6 aluminium booster cables" for sale....I seldom buy anytyhing from them.....

 

[JDgreen227]

While on the subject of jump starting, when I go shopping, I always park WAY, WAY out of the packs of cars at stores, this serves several purposes:

Nobody can bang their doors against my vehicle.

There are no shopping carts nearby to roll into my vehicle.

I burn up some calories walking the extra distance.

Last, but not least, with nobody parked near you, it is much easier to get access to your battery with another vehicle should you need a jumpstart.

And the few times I had a reservation about the battery in my vehicle last year, I carried a fully charged, good size jumpstart unit in my truck.

 

[bigbull338]

we change the batteries on tractors when we are tired of charging them or jumping them off.we have a battey that weve been jumping off an charging for the last 2yrs.we really need to change the battery,but we rarely use the tractor right now.we change the trucks an suv batteries when they get weak or wont crank.

 

[chopped]

On my tractor, its 25 years and on the second battery. the second one is the biggest wal mart sold and is now 15 years old. It started to seem a bit sluggish so I set up a float charger now.(life support).I think if it were my vehicle then i would change it for a newer one.but I can liove with this situation..
Usually around here the first real cold snap will give the indication for a new one..

 

[Turbys_1700]

I just replaced two in my PowerStroke...
They were 7 years batteries and they lasted 7 years and 8 months...

 

[RavensRoost]

I get a new one when I can detect engine is cranking slower than normal, usually at 3+ years here in the desert heat. I prefer not to get the last $20 out of it and be stranded.

 

[JDgreen227]

So while we are at it, who feels heat kills batteries quicker than artic cold temps? While I know heat is tough on a battery, why should it be any worse than minus twenty degree temperatures? Anybody know just how much either extreme affects a battery?

Suppose one battery had to exist in minus twenty degrees all year long, with several cold starts every day. And the other battery had to follow the same routine in 110 degree heat instead. Which would fail quicker, given identically sized and dated batteries in identical vehicles?

 

[BobRip]

So while we are at it, who feels heat kills batteries quicker than artic cold temps? While I know heat is tough on a battery, why should it be any worse than minus twenty degree temperatures? Anybody know just how much either extreme affects a battery?

Suppose one battery had to exist in minus twenty degrees all year long, with several cold starts every day. And the other battery had to follow the same routine in 110 degree heat instead. Which would fail quicker, given identically sized and dated batteries in identical vehicles?

Since a battery is a chemical reaction device and puts out less current when cold, an of course it takes more current to spin a cold engine a battery is much more likely to fail (that is not start your vehicle) during the cold seasons. Not to minimize your concerns.

 

[CTPhil]

If I have suspicions about a battery I charge it, let it sit a while, then check the voltage. A good battery will be above 12.5, if it's 12v or lower I'm pretty sure it's done.

 

[chopped]

Or use one of these load testers.
Image Detail for - http://www.etoolcart.com/images/products/thumb/ATD5495.jpg

HF has them for under 20 dollars I think And mine has served me well..

 

[Diamondpilot]

I replace every 3 years. Nothing worse then being stranded. Its just not worth it. In the long run I feel that it pays to have a good battery. Its easier on the starter, alternator, and other electrical components.

This my be just my good luck but I have been driving for 28 years and never had to change a starter or alternator in any of my vehicles. I have replaced some on my customers stuff but not mine, over 20 vehicles. All Fords and foreign makes along with 1 Dodge and 4 GM's.


Chris

 

[JDgreen227]

I replace every 3 years. Nothing worse then being stranded. Its just not worth it. In the long run I feel that it pays to have a good battery. Its easier on the starter, alternator, and other electrical components.

This my be just my good luck but I have been driving for 28 years and never had to change a starter or alternator in any of my vehicles. I have replaced some on my customers stuff but not mine, over 20 vehicles. All Fords and foreign makes along with 1 Dodge and 4 GM's.


Chris

I have been driving for 42 years and have had to replace one starter (73 Nova) and two alternators (92 Olds). When a good size battery costs $100 I would expect to get my money's worth out of it. BTW, in that 42 years I have been stranded maybe 5 times, my spouse, less than that.

 

[BobRip]

I replace every 3 years. Nothing worse then being stranded. Its just not worth it. In the long run I feel that it pays to have a good battery. Its easier on the starter, alternator, and other electrical components.

This my be just my good luck but I have been driving for 28 years and never had to change a starter or alternator in any of my vehicles. I have replaced some on my customers stuff but not mine, over 20 vehicles. All Fords and foreign makes along with 1 Dodge and 4 GM's.


Chris

When low voltage from a weak battery is sent to the starter, it pulls more current, spins slower, and take longer to start the vehicle. I do not see how this could extend the life of the starter. So you may have something there. I have had a few starter failures, but not recently. A battery is much easier and cheaper to replace than a starter.