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In my 95 Mazda Protege (which I just retired last month ), the battery lasted 10 years (purchased in 1999 and finally died in 2009). I was told that it should be replaced every 5 years regardless, but what do I know?
In my 95 Mazda Protege (which I just retired last month ), the battery lasted 10 years (purchased in 1999 and finally died in 2009). I was told that it should be replaced every 5 years regardless, but what do I know?
Ignorance is bliss sometimes, and in your case was a $$ savings.
The only reason to replace a battery is if it won't hold a load, and thus can't take a charge.
With a volt meter anyone can do a few simple tests and find out.
The only thing the meter needs to be hooked up to is the battery, or you can buy a 14 dollar meter from walley world that plugs in to any lighter /powered socket on the dash.
If anyone wants to know the tests just say so. I am not in the mood to type it all out and then be ignored today.
I just put a new battery in the 08' Mazda Tribute. We bought it new in 2007. Yeah, I know. How does that work? Buying a 2008 model in 2007...
Anyway, a hundred bucks and about five minutes of my time had it up and running. That little of an investment over four years doesn't hurt my feelings....
Longest life ever from a battery? I had an Optima gel cell in a 79' Scout which lasted 10 years before it crapped out.
I just replaced a 10 year old battery and the one in my 2002 Tacoma is original. As for replacing a battery every 3 years, that's just a waste of money.
I'm not the only one.. Seems like the batteries in the Tacoma's last forever.
We keep cars for 13 years. I don't know why that is the magic number, it just seems that after 13 years we're ready for a new one. BTW the highest mileage on them was a little over 65K.
I think Mrs. Tek is going to get a new car before hers is 13 though. Since we are retiring and will be traveling a lot we are going to get a highway cruiser.
Edit: Apparently I have a reading disability today.... I'll leave this post so you can all have a good chuckle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by vmaxnc
The question was about the battery, not the car. But your cars are what I look for. Low miles but old enough that the price has pretty much bottomed out.
If I get 4 years out of a battery, I'm happy, regardless of what the battery life is supposed to be. But I seldom keep a vehicle more than 5 years, and my vehicles always have aftermarket sound systems, alarms, and other electronic devices.
Other than a warranty swap, I can only remember putting more than one battery in one vehicle, and that was the '87 Ranger I had for 12 years.
You caught me before I added the edit. Some days I'm, like ....
Mine is closing on 5 years and I worry about it but the dealer tests it each oil change and they say it's good. I am sure they would rather sell me a new one. Can it go from good to bad suddenly, within 4 months, or is it gradual?
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), the battery lasted 10 years (purchased in 1999 and finally died in 2009). I was told that it should be replaced every 5 years regardless, but what do I know? 
But your cars are what I look for. Low miles but old enough that the price has pretty much bottomed out. 
