Dead Battery after 2 1/2 years

[jmcohen23]

Like most folks with dead car batteries, I found out the hard way. Only this time, the delay caused me to miss the first half of the UMD-Duke game.

Anyone else have their batteries this soon?

I first contacted my dealership asking for the infiniti roadside assistance number (since I have the CPO warranty), and the clerk referred my call to a sales guy who said that he doesn't have the number, and that it should be in the manual. Well, the manual did not have it, so I called AAA. They came out and replaced it for $120. Took them 90 minutes to get out to me.I was able to get to the game to catch the last 10 minutes.

However, UMD won, so it was a good night. But still, I was pissed.

I called Infiniti to see if I can get reimbursed for the battery, and they mentioned that I could get a prorated refund, but they'll have to review my receipt.

[Poyzinous]

Sorry to hear. First off, it was a great game, and the second half was what you wanted to watch. Sadly, the battery usually dies on many people within the first 3 years, and the replacement lasts 5 or 6. Luckily, my original lasted 5 years. Hopefully you'll get something back, or at least a free oil change.

[telcoman]

Like most folks with dead car batteries, I found out the hard way. Only this time, the delay caused me to miss the first half of the UMD-Duke game.

Anyone else have their batteries this soon?

I first contacted my dealership asking for the infiniti roadside assistance number (since I have the CPO warranty), and the clerk referred my call to a sales guy who said that he doesn't have the number, and that it should be in the manual. Well, the manual did not have it, so I called AAA. They came out and replaced it for $120. Took them 90 minutes to get out to me.I was able to get to the game to catch the last 10 minutes.

However, UMD won, so it was a good night. But still, I was pissed.

I called Infiniti to see if I can get reimbursed for the battery, and they mentioned that I could get a prorated refund, but they'll have to review my receipt.

You should have had the game recorded on the TIVO.

BTW I still have my original battery. If it doesn't give me any trouble I'll replace it in November. That is if I don't get new G fever.

Telcoman

[G_whizz]

If the replacement is the same battery...why would it last significantly longer??

[Tim30250]

OEM batteries just don't seem to last that long, at least not for me. That's why I don't ever get an OEM replacement. Always had better luck with Die Hard, Interstate, or AutoZone replacements. Some of my shorter lived factory batteries were...

92 Ford Mustang GT - 2.5 years02 BMW 330Ci - 3 years05 Chevy Trailblazer - 4 years

Other end of the spectrum... My mom bought a Ford Thunderbird in 1996 and sold it in 2005 with the original battery. There's just no explaining it, I suppose.

Most other new cars me or my family have owned gave at least 5 years on the battery.

[jmcohen23]

You should have had the game recorded on the TIVO.

Telcoman

I did DVR the game, so I was able to watch the parts I missed....

on a side note, I did notice my fuel efficiency increase by nearly 2 MPG since installing the battery....

[Poyzinous]

Two things:The factory battery is usually a cheaply built one that is at about 80% when it hits the dealer. Plus, its a little underloaded. The replacement battery you get at the dealer is supplied by Interstate at a higher standard. Every once in a while, you buy a car with the factory battery at about 90% so it lasts a year longer or so. I very rarely see issues with the factory replacement interstate battery. I've seen them last 8 years, amazingly.

[kmckis1029]

the factory battery in my 2005 died in 2008... so i guess i got about the average life... i too didnt get an OEM battery, i got a new battery with more CCA... now all my inner lightsactually shine white and not amber... amoung the other benifits of having a good battery...

[smockers83]

I still have my original battery and I'll be at 4 years come August. Doesn't seem to show any signs of giving up quite yet, although I haven't tested it.

Does the battery capacity when it hits the dealer due to inventory or because of the time spent sitting at a dealer or what? The reason I ask is because the dealer I got my G from had to buy it from another dealer before it was even off the line. Is the battery part of final assembly in the US or is it installed across the pond?

[kboy79]

My battery lasted little over two years. I had to get it towed from Infiniti and the prorated the battery cost...sux

[telcoman]

My battery lasted little over two years. I had to get it towed from Infiniti and the prorated the battery cost...sux

I don't think batteries last as long in very hot weather.

Also the electrolite level should be checked if the battery has vent caps.

I check mine every month or so. It should also be checked at the first sign the vehicle doesn't sound normal when cranking to start.



A battery hydrometer is a very cheap test tool and can tell you when you have a weak cell that is no longer accepting a full charge.

Telcoman

[SVTCOBRA]

Two things:The factory battery is usually a cheaply built one that is at about 80% when it hits the dealer. Plus, its a little underloaded. The replacement battery you get at the dealer is supplied by Interstate at a higher standard. Every once in a while, you buy a car with the factory battery at about 90% so it lasts a year longer or so. I very rarely see issues with the factory replacement interstate battery. I've seen them last 8 years, amazingly.

I understand what you are saying, but for the average consumer, if their OEM battery dies in less than 3 years, they will assume the Infiniti OEM replacement is no better and buy something else where. Have also heard good things about Interstate batteries, but I would probably purchase one some place else besides Infiniti. Lately, I've been buying the Autozone batteries.

[jmcohen23]

thanks Telcoman, I'll look into getting that soon.

anyhow, update on this:

As mentioned in my original post, I contacted infiniti about a possible reimbursement.

They reviewed my claim and said that the battery was NOT replaced at the dealership, only "re-charged".

Man, I was pissed! The sales guy told me that it was "replaced". I'm sure that if i went back to them now, I would get something like, "no, we said re-charged and blah blah blah...."

oh well, I now have a new AAA battery with a 3-year warranty.

I suppose I should have suspected something when my car had a slow start-up not too long ago....

[Poyzinous]

Your SALES rep told you it was replaced? Because if it was the SERVICE rep, I'd call him out. But sales reps, if they're anything like the ones here at my dealer, are dumb. They can't distinguish an oil filter from a wheel. I've had a sales rep SELL someone a car, come ask me how to get the nav system to turn on, only to have me tell them that the car doesn't have nav. Then he asks me why it has a television screen. I said, its the "Infiniti Controller". The vehicle information unit clearly explained in his sales manuals and things. He was fired within a few days. Sorry for the story, but anyway, if they recharged it, its because the battery test determined it was good enough to continue its life. If it fails again, you should get a new one.

[jmcohen23]

oh, it definitely was the sales guy. nice kid though. not your typical sleezy sales dude...

the interesting thing was, when I first looked at the car, the car did not start up due to the dead battery - and so I left. he called me the next day and said that they replaced the battery, so I felt somewhat obligated to drive that car - as he made every effort to satisfy each of my concerns, and ultimately buy it (but only after some tough negotiating).

but I'm sure the sequence was just as you described. he probably told the service team that the battery was dead and assumed that it would be replaced, when the crew determined that a simple charge was good enough.... I may bring it up the next time I take it for a check-up.