Battery change out

How long is everyone waiting to change batteries? When it dies, or a more proactive approach? My 2020 has started dragging a little on colder days this year. I hear they usually die with no warning, so debating on changing vs waiting. Thoughts?

 

Mine did that after 3 years and I was dragging my feet until it just died while I was filling up gas in Costco. I would definitely get it replaced or make sure to keep some heavy duty jumper in your truck (regular ones won’t help). I learned that hard way as well.

 

My factory battery died without warning after about 3 years / 35k miles. I replaced it in 2017 and just replaced that one a month ago when I was about to tow a long distance. Seven years out of the second battery was respectable. It wasn’t slow or showing any other signs of upcoming failure, but I figured a $120 battery from Costco was worth the peace of mind.

 

Factory original battery at three (3) years. Costco Interstate replacement after that every four (4) years zero (0) months.

 

Check your startup voltage if you want to be sure. Sounds like you already know it's time though.

 

Yeah if you notice it then it’s time as there isn’t much leeway there. Around here its not unheard of to go 6-7 years with the OEM battery, but in the south I hear it can be as little as 2 years. Mine is getting swapped tomorrow (45 months). Was considering a lithium battery but seems like a liability/pain in the butt potentially vs just another Oem. An AGM is likely the best, like Odyssey/NorthStar.

 

I just replaced mine on my 2020 at 47,000 miles for peace of mind. They always go out at the most inconvenient times. I’m good with 4 years of use.

 

I changed mine about 2 years into ownership with an X2power AGM. It sits on a battery tender at least once a week so I know it’s always fully charged properly.

 

I'm on 3.5 years on the stock oem that came with it. started up at -4 the other day without a stutter basically.

 

I am still on original battery. It stays on a solar trickle charger when parked.
To test.
When vehicle is cold and has been sitting, put a basic multimeter on it.
Have a friend hold it and watch it. If you have one that has min and max buttons even easier.
Start truck and if it drops to 9.6 volts or higher, its good still.
I have hard time getting rid of/replacing stuff that works.
I do carry Dewalt boost pack in truck in case.
But if you are thinking about it ......probably replace it.

 

My 2020 just did the same thing. I had not drove it in a while and about one month ago did charge and used the "refresh" setting on the battery charger. Still dragging a little.

 

I was considering a Odyssey AGM. I have one in my small boat. But the price!!! Darn they have gone up since COVID.
Now considering an NAPA Legend battery. I have had good luck with that in my XRS Corolla.

 

Auto Zone here after OEM died at almost 2 years. Still strong at 5.5. I won't put an AGM in truck. The 2 advantages to AGM are longer life and no maintenance. I don't think the longer life will payback in $$$s and battery in truck is easy to access and maintain. I switched to AGM in boat for cranking battery because it is under the console and location makes it hard to maintain. Even though it has the same CCA/MCA as previous flooded cell it does not start engine as well. Mercury Optimax's require and lot of amps to crank properly. I switched my electronics from cranking battery to lithiums so I can't really compare the AGM to flooded cell for amp hours.

 

I have a TopDon battery/starting/charging tester that seems to be pretty accurate, and I highly recommend having one around and also one of the Li-Ion jump starters, I have a

$100 NoCo GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Jump Starter Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines

NoCo GB40. My battery is nearing end of life (Manufacturing date 9/20, battery stamped 28/08/20, 8k miles). For my own batteries, it makes a big difference on battery life if the vehicle is garaged or sits outside and the biggest factor seems to be the cold. I have a lot of batteries to keep up with and normally just get mine at Sam's Club, Duracell brand when on sale, I'd go Costco if we had one. The AGM batteries in my F250 7.3 diesel had a sticker date of 11/13 (AutoCraft Platinum Grp 65, now DieHard) and just replaced them. I also recommend a battery tender but check the output voltage, return/exchange it if it's above 14.7v in use.

 

Just to keep adding data to the log here.

2020 CX-5, OE Battery made it to October this year but was struggling around August. This battery probably could have lasted longer but it had many times where it sat dead while we were gone in the summers. Replaced with Walmart AGM.

2017 Tundra, OE (not replaced by me) was replaced in 2021 and that battery is still kicking fine so far. I'll replace it with AGM in 2025 to prep for our first MN winter.

1997 Miata, purchased in 2017 and new Duracell AGM at that time and still kicking even though I have abused the shit out of it (leaving for Winters dead).

I just got a round of Noco maintainers for all my vehicles/machines so they don't die anymore and stay healthy!

 

Are people remembering to refill the cells? This helps to increase life expectancy/charge.

 

I have owned boats for close to 40 years that had multiple flooded cell batteries so part of routine maintenance. I check water levels in battery when I check fluid levels. Top off with distilled water if necessary. 1 thing I learned from using wet cell batteries in boats is batteries should be fully charged before adding water.

 

You’ve already received your warning.

I just put in my 3rd battery - OEM lasted 3 years, X2 AGM did 5.5. Went with a WalMart AGM this time.

 

I replaced my stock battery December13, 2014 at 64,000 miles. Truck has 88,000 miles 10 ten years later. Naturally, the North Star battery I bought is no longer offered. I've been keeping it on trickle charge in the Winter months since last year.

 

Down here in the deep south, the OEM battery only made it 2 years and 2 months. Kicked over slow once, and dead on the next crank.

 

I carry a

$121 JNC660 1700 Peak Amp 12 Volt Jump Starter , Blue

JNC660 so I wasn't too worried about waiting til it died to replace it but mine died completely unexpectedly at about 4 years 48,000 miles. No extended cranking or anything, just one day completed dead and couldn't take a charge at all when plugged in. I went with the Costco interstate as a replacement for $110 in 2023, so far so good.

 

I changed out my factory battery before 2 years. It was leaking/sweating fluid out of the vents. Put in a cosco battery.

 

Ain't that the truth..
My free 84-month Toyota battery they gave me when my cats were stolen started to peter out after 24 months.



I went to Insterstate to buy a new one and the guy pops the lids off and said the water level was WAY low.
I felt like such a moron thinking it was a sealed battery.
I ended purchasing an Interstate anyway.
I didn't trust the Toyota one after that.

Imagine taking that battery to Toyota and bitching about the dying battery and THEY told me the water was low...

In my experience on my 2014 when the engine starts to crank a little slow, it is time to look into getting a new battery..

 

THIS ^^^ THIS ^^^ THIS ^^^ THIS ^^^.

Awww what the hell. One more. THIS ^^^.

 

4 years with the original, started getting weak, replaced with an Optima Red Top

 

I replaced the Mama Toyota original at 4 years and 10 months. Preventatively. It was working fine. I checked the level in the cells at least every 6 months.

 

My OEM kicked the bucket at 10 to 11 months. From what I have read heat is harder on batteries then cold temps.