Car batteries in southern Arizona (safe, design, relocating to)

[KO Stradivarius]

I just replaced mine when it died after 2 yrs almost exactly. Returned it to the auto parts store where I purchased it for a new replacement under the typical 3 yr warranty that most batteries have. We have an extra car so I just had the wife drive a different car to work that day, and I changed it. Takes like 20 min. So I will wait until the 3 yr warranty expires.

In theory it can be tested by a mechanic or at the auto parts store to see if the voltage is below the normal range, and replace it then. I take my cars to the dealer for oil changes and pay for an inspection which includes a battery test, which I did about 6 weeks prior and said it was OK, but they must have lied and not have checked it because it failed soon afterward.

[CCCyou]

If you're putting 'standard' batteries, 2 years is all you'll get.

Everstart MAXX (Walmart) and Duralast Gold (Autozone) batteries cost just a tiny bit more, but have special metals in the plates that allow them to last 3 to 5 years easily in extreme operating conditions.

I put Everstart MAXX batteries in everything - premium quality at a great price - and they stand up well even to abuse.
(It has to be a MAXX, the plain Everstart are just that, a plain standard battery - skip those).

Also, put the highest CCA amps size battery your vehicle will accept - sometimes this takes some research to know if you can 'upsize' to a larger capacity one - and the prices are ususally the same as a smaller one or maybe just slightly higher.

[KO Stradivarius]

Originally Posted by CCCyou

If you're putting 'standard' batteries, 2 years is all you'll get.

Everstart MAXX (Walmart) and Duralast Gold (Autozone) batteries cost just a tiny bit more, but have special metals in the plates that allow them to last 3 to 5 years easily in extreme operating conditions.

I put Everstart MAXX batteries in everything - premium quality at a great price - and they stand up well even to abuse.
(It has to be a MAXX, the plain Everstart are just that, a plain standard battery - skip those).

Also, put the highest CCA amps size battery your vehicle will accept - sometimes this takes some research to know if you can 'upsize' to a larger capacity one - and the prices are ususally the same as a smaller one or maybe just slightly higher.

I believe they are called Absorbent Glass Mat batteries (AGM). However, mine was a Duralast Gold AGM but it only lasted 2 yrs.

https://batteryuniversity.com/articl...-glass-mat-agm

[timothyaw]

I've had long lasting batteries using Interstate batteries.

[CCCyou]

Originally Posted by KO Stradivarius

I believe they are called Absorbent Glass Mat batteries (AGM). However, mine was a Duralast Gold AGM but it only lasted 2 yrs.

https://batteryuniversity.com/articl...-glass-mat-agm

the MAXX and the DL Gold are premium Flooded Cell type batteries.

You do NOT want to get an AGM type (any brand) or any gel electrolyte type in a hot climate; neither handle heat very well - which is why yours (agm) died early.

[thinkalot]

I use AAA. The last one didn't last long enough, and it was free.

I miss the old days when you went to an auto parts store and the clerk grabbed a wrench and the battery and put it in in the parking lot.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

I use AAA. The last one didn't last long enough, and it was free.

I miss the old days when you went to an auto parts store and the clerk grabbed a wrench and the battery and put it in in the parking lot.

Autozone did this for me last time.

[w7kkk]

I worked a parts counter for a major company in retirement.
What I was told was that in hot climates to avoid HD type batteries as they had more plates closer together and heat could lead to warpage and failure of the battery.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by thinkalot

I use AAA. The last one didn't last long enough, and it was free.

I miss the old days when you went to an auto parts store and the clerk grabbed a wrench and the battery and put it in in the parking lot.

Autozone, O'Reilly, they still do it. As does Walmart, Costco, Sams etc. I typically do my own though, just bring in a "burner" I have laying around and exchange to avoid core. It was an effort on my newer car though just figuring out how to take apart and remove the contraption/cover on the battery. Not just a 3/8 (10mm) wrench anymore. And I swear, those batteries weigh twice what they did 20 years ago.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Autozone, O'Reilly, they still do it. As does Walmart, Costco, Sams etc. I typically do my own though, just bring in a "burner" I have laying around and exchange to avoid core. It was an effort on my newer car though just figuring out how to take apart and remove the contraption/cover on the battery. Not just a 3/8 (10mm) wrench anymore. And I swear, those batteries weigh twice what they did 20 years ago.

The last time I needed a new battery I went to Batteries Plus. They had a similar problem getting the battery into the 'holder'.