How do you choose which car battery to get?

[1Garageman]

The battery in my truck is going bad and needs replaced. I am looking for a good replacement battery, and a sale/deal if there are any. There are so many different types of batteries with the "CCA", "Group Size" and the "24F" numbers on them, I have no clue what those mean??

What is a good type of battery for me? I park my truck outside all year long here in Ohio. Thanks!



Are any of these good batteries and deals?

 

[Perroflojo]

Here in the mid west cold country, I normally buy the biggest battery that I can fit on the car. I hope by doing these I would get a higher CC and more reserve. Most people just buy the battery at Walmart but I get mine at Menard's. Batteries are like water heater only few manufacturers make most of the brands.

 

[TractorJeff]

The Group number dictates the physical size of the Battery. (more or less)
Look in your Truck to see what Group number is in it.
This is what will fit in the Battery space and cable connections being correct.
Then look at the CCA to see what OEM installed. (it maybe a low number)
Decide on how well it has been starting for you and may you need a little more power to start it as the Truck ages?
Ex: Changed the Battery in the wife's Subaru recently, OEM was 360cca. I upgraded to a 600cca with a 60 month replacement Warranty. Thought process is that it always started in Sub-Zero weather with the smaller Battery BUT what if she gets stranded? How far would I have to drive to Bail her out?
I figured the Warranty is a good time period to weed out Manufacturing quality issues.
PS
The Battery I bought at NAPA was just over a $100. No way would I pay $170 for a Battery. (well? OK, for the Wife's car I would!)

 

[johninct]

OEM Battery.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

OEM Battery.

Those are exactly the same as what you get at Walmart, Autozone etc..

Clarion, formerly Johnson Controls, makes Motorcraft, Mopar and ACDelco batteries. There’s no difference in what they put in vehicles at the factory and what you buy at Autozone other than the label.

 

[Git]

How do I choose? I check to make sure Costco has my size and I buy it

 

[Moosefire]

OEM Battery.

When I worked for interstate battery, we delivered batteries to a ton of different dealerships. The batteries were all the same, but came in unlabeled. So if jaguar ordered a battery, we would put jaguar stickers on it, or use the same battery to put on Mazda, or any of the 20 others. So in a sense you could save money by going to interstate and buying a plain unbranded battery without the dealer markup.

And size 24, or 35 as seen in the photos does indicate its size, but the size chart doesn't really make sense, so dont try to figure it out, it bounces around. Both of those pictures both say "will fir your vehicle " but I would buy whatever size is in your vehicle right now. Just open her up and take a look.

Also as stated, if you deal with cold weather, a higher CCA is nice (cold cranking amps) but do know that most battery sizes (say size 24 from the picture) typically come in 2 3 or 4 different "power" levels, which dictate the CCA rating. In winter higher CCA is great, however if you don't drive the vehicle very often, know that higher powered batteries lose their charge faster than lower powered ones. Not to say it'll die in a week, but over a long time it will have a lower voltage from sitting than its little brother

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[Balor]

Look you buy a car you like and want to hang on too it as long as possible and want as maintenance free as possible! I have always replaced OEM batteries at the first sign trouble, weather charging, leaking or whatever, I replace mine with a sealed batteries and in most cases the batteries have out lasted their warranties.

 

[1Garageman]

How do I choose? I check to make sure Costco has my size and I buy it

I am not a Costco member, I do belong to SAMS club though.

There are just so many batteries at each place I have no clue what to go for

 

[NYBODYMAN]

When I worked for interstate battery, we delivered batteries to a ton of different dealerships. The batteries were all the same, but came in unlabeled. So if jaguar ordered a battery, we would put jaguar stickers on it, or use the same battery to put on Mazda, or any of the 20 others. So in a sense you could save money by going to interstate and buying a plain unbranded battery without the dealer markup.
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Interesting. Thanks for that insight.

 

[n8n]

I would see if there's an AGM available for your vehicle. The only wet battery I have anymore is the one in my BMW as those seem to be good quality and not leak. Every other wet battery I've had has developed fluffies. I'm on my second AGM in over 10 years and the lack of annual cleanup/Vaselining is nice.

 

[Jinks]

Either the "group size", or just measuring the thing will tell you the size that will fit in the battery holder. CCA, Cold Cranking Amps, is a guide to starting power. Buy at least what your current battery has. A little more won't hurt a thing. After that I look for price & warranty. Lately I've found the best of both at Batteries Plus, but will buy where ever I get the best combination.

 

[Moosefire]

Interesting. Thanks for that insight.

I should specify that they didn't deliver to all dealerships. We didn't do chevy, they have the ac Delco brand. But in general probably 75 percent of dealers go to interstate.

Also, for those worried about warranty, the free replacement is the only thing that matters. After that is a prorated warranty, but once it's out of the free replacement period, it's basically at the cost to replace. For instance, if your battery is 100 bucks, with a 36 month free replacement warranty, I dont recall the value but its essentially aroundc3 bucks a month you'd pay for replacement. In otherworldly if your battery died in month 37, you'd have 37 months times 3 dollars a month, so its $111 to replace a $100 battery. Again, not actual numbers used as I've been out of the battery game for 12 years, but ask about that. It's not what you think it is

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[glend123]

Buy it from advance auto and use the ongoing 20% off code.

 

[1Garageman]

Buy it from advance auto and use the ongoing 20% off code.

I tried one of their %20 off codes and it said that can't be used because the battery was on sale, or something like that....

 

[BigE]

Advanced doesn't let you use coupons on batteries. I bought 3 batteries in the last month and learned that. They will, however, let you apply their club points to batteries. Speed perks or something like that.

 

[nadogail]

In my opinion, as other posters have pointed out, batteries are pretty much generic (like regular gasoline) CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and Ampere Hours are the measurements of electrical capability.

I have found that the Solar Panel on my dashboard has done a lot to extend the life of the battery in my '99 Chevy van that gets driven one day a week during most weeks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Get the one that has the most "cold cranking amps" (CCA). You will find that most batteries in a specific size have the same CCA. Do NOT pay extra for the brand ! Sam's Club, Costco and even Walmart sell good batteries !

If you can fit a larger battery in the "hole", go for it !

 

[tros]

I put in a yellow top battery in mine 7 years ago and its still going strong

 

[BigDaveZJ]

A buddy of mine has been in the battery industry for a LONG time, so I used to just tell him what vehicle it was for and he'd get it for me. He bought his own shop and lives a few hours away now so it's not as easy. His suggestion was to go to Sam's and get the Duracell AGM. I forget who he said the actual manufacturer was on it, but it was the brand he prefers to sell at his shop. Bought two of them so far and have been happy with them, about to buy a 3rd.

 

[unslow1]

When I worked for interstate battery, we delivered batteries to a ton of different dealerships. The batteries were all the same, but came in unlabeled. So if jaguar ordered a battery, we would put jaguar stickers on it, or use the same battery to put on Mazda, or any of the 20 others. So in a sense you could save money by going to interstate and buying a plain unbranded battery without the dealer markup.

And size 24, or 35 as seen in the photos does indicate its size, but the size chart doesn't really make sense, so dont try to figure it out, it bounces around. Both of those pictures both say "will fir your vehicle " but I would buy whatever size is in your vehicle right now. Just open her up and take a look.

Also as stated, if you deal with cold weather, a higher CCA is nice (cold cranking amps) but do know that most battery sizes (say size 24 from the picture) typically come in 2 3 or 4 different "power" levels, which dictate the CCA rating. In winter higher CCA is great, however if you don't drive the vehicle very often, know that higher powered batteries lose their charge faster than lower powered ones. Not to say it'll die in a week, but over a long time it will have a lower voltage from sitting than its little brother

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The same goes for when I worked at Advance Auto. We would get in pallets of unlabeled batteries destined for a place that would slap on their own.

 

[slow]

Length of warranty and ease of warranty replacement. I tend to have issues about every 2 years here in FL. We have a Deka battery in the building behind me at work. They're awesome batteries, and we buy them for the vehicles here at work, but don't own stuff long enough to need to warranty them out. My personal stuff I tend to buy from Advanced auto or Sams if the Duracel AGM fits in the vehicle.

 

[BD1]

Been buying all my batteries from Costco for car, truck, lawn tractor and farm tractors from them. All Interstate batteries and usually dated within a month.
No old stock batteries at my Costco.
Even hold up well in farm tractors for field work. Many say they don't hold up because of vibration and bouncing. Never any issues.


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[tinmanwpk]

I just replaced my Duralast battery from Advanced just this weekend. It was less than four years old, had a bad cell. I bought an AGM battery from NAPA and used the OEM size/Group number. Fit great.

 

[1Garageman]

Thanks for the info!
So does this look like a good battery? I filled out the information for it to match batteries for my vechicle.

FREE INSTALLATION & TESTING; OE Exact Fit; OE Spec: OE Group 24F; OE CCA 585; Battery Spec: 750 CCA; 935 CA; 130 Minute Reserve Capacity; 3 Year Free Replacement

This one is $204 out the door.

 

[1Garageman]

This one is a little bit cheaper. $187 out the door.

Duralast Gold Battery 24F-DLG Group Size 24F 750 CCA

 

[FTG-05]

I use three criteria:

- Replacement availability; the best battery in the world is useless if you have to drive 40 or 400 miles to replace it.
- Warranty or quality reputation
- Size or cold cranking amps

Hence, I've decided on using Autozone. They have stores everywhere (unlike Interstate, Walmart, Sams, Costco etc.) I've been using them for +26 years and they have records of every battery I ever purchased since then on their computer; no need to fool with receipts. Their Duralast Gold batteries have a pretty good reputation and they have a decent warranty.

I buy their batteries for my Ford F-350 PSD, Pathfinder, Toyota Avalon, Kubota tractor, RTV and ZTR and eventually, my wife's 2020 Outback.

Returns have never been a problem and the manager usually gives me some kind of discount when he sees my buying history.

This was reinforced for me last year when my MIL's less than one year old Interstate battery failed near Athens, AL. Their so-called web site said they had several dealers in the area, but after driving all over and visiting 2-3 of them, they all refused warranty replacement. I finally said "fork it" and went the local Autozone (about 2 miles from her home) and bought her a new battery. I put the battery in her name so if she has problems down the road, she can get it replaced at any Autozone in the country just by walking in.

 

[1Garageman]

Sams club has this one for $119, and it has a three year warenty.




Specifications
Battery electrolyte composition: Acid
Battery purpose: Starting lighting instrumentation
BCI group size: 34/78
CA at 32 degrees F: 985
CCA at 0 degrees F: 800
Freight class: 65
Polarity: DT
Reserve capacity: 115
Terminal type: DIN
Volts: 12
Posted core charge may apply—amount varies by state
For 3-year free replacement: Retail differences, disposal fees and taxes may apply

Warranty
Free Replacement 36 months

 

[mwalsh9152]

Those are exactly the same as what you get at Walmart, Autozone etc..

Clarion, formerly Johnson Controls, makes Motorcraft, Mopar and ACDelco batteries. There’s no difference in what they put in vehicles at the factory and what you buy at Autozone other than the label.

This couldnt be further from the truth. SOME companies will just ask for a battery with their name on it. Others, like Motorcraft in this instance are built to Ford's specifications. The Motorcraft battery is a VERY good battery. Just because they are made by the same company doesnt mean they are all the same.

 

[firebirdparts]

Up front, I utterly ignore the warranty. I never really worry about whether one of them is "really good." most of these threads are about "what is the best battery" and I know for sure I don't want the best one. I don't want to pay for it. If one dies during warranty, yes I'd take it in, but really, who cares? They knock $20 off or something; you're locked into the same product and the same vendor. I figure you can't really be inconvenienced for that.

So that's ultimately a strong argument for Wal-mart.

Keep in mind here I don't kill a lot of batteries. They kinda work the way I expect them to work. Then they cost about as much as 2 tanks of gas. People don't even steal them anymore.

 

[bradpac]

$88, 3 year warranty.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Lead-Acid-Automotive-Battery-Group-Size-24F/28275657

 

[elba]

I have used Walmart MAXX for many years and never a problem . Not the Never Start but the MAXX !

 

[DeeDubz]

I run Optima on all my vehicles. Hasn't let me down thus far. I have a yellow and red top in my 250. The wifes car has a red top.

 

[Moosefire]

I run Optima on all my vehicles. Hasn't let me down thus far. I have a yellow and red top in my 250. The wifes car has a red top.

If they're wired independently that's fine. But you're not supposed to have a standard duty and a deep cycle wired together. Not saying you'll have problems but thats what I've always been told. Similarly, is only swapping out one battery of a 2 or more battery setup. You're supposed to swap them both out so there's not 1 old battery drawing on the other..

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[dcg9381]

I just got a "duracell AGM" for my diesel (it takes too) - these are just rebrands of another battery manufacturer. Not saying good or bad, but I got 2-3 years out of the last set before one failed...

 

[smackey05]

I usually go with the OEM battery for most of my vehicles. I also like the Duralast batteries and have had good luck with those.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

This couldnt be further from the truth. SOME companies will just ask for a battery with their name on it. Others, like Motorcraft in this instance are built to Ford's specifications. The Motorcraft battery is a VERY good battery. Just because they are made by the same company doesnt mean they are all the same.

This is absolutely the truth. I worked in the battery industry for years. Cutting batteries apart with a bandsaw was a routine job because we needed individual cells for testing and we examined plate spacing hardware from disassembled batteries. The Motorcraft batteries are absolutely identical to Duralast batteries, and the are absolutely identical to Interstate, ACDelco and Mopar batteries because they all are made on the very same production line with the same parts and identical performance.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I only buy four brands Interstate, Duralast, Energizer and Harvest King from Rural King. Those are the only batteries I’ve had last more than a few years.


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[BillK]

Garage man,
I didnt read all of the posts but . . . . .
What year/make/model truck ? How long did the original battery last ?

I have had the best luck with AC Delco batteries for my GM products. If I had a Ford I would probably buy Motorcraft ... etc etc.

To be perfectly honest with you I have been driving since around 1966 and simply have never been stranded due to a battery failing. They almost always give you some warning. I dont think I have ever had a battery last less than 5 years, probably more like 6 or 7.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Don't buy an everstart from walmart unless you want it to neverstart