POLL: How old is your battery?

[cccpman]

yea I grabbed up a walmart one w/ 3 year warranty. Basically you just bring it back, tell them you dont have a receipt and you get a new battery.... with a new tag... and I guess a new 3 year warranty. Not my problem I guess. I know its a sad state of affairs to get a walmart anything for the car, but I paid top dollar and if they keep up the way they seem to I get free ones for life

[knowspinzone]

You guys aren't going to believe this, but its true. I've always bought Diehard Gold batteries because they have always been top rated by Consumer Reports. The one that is in my '95 Q45a was purchased on 8/13/2000 at 61,109 miles. It replaced the battery that was in the car when I bought it in 1997 (I don't remember if it was the original). Its a full 7 years later with the odometer at 148,500+ and its still cranks easily. And keep in mind I live in the northeast and start the car daily on freezing winter days.

Lest you think this is a fluke. I still have the records for my wife's dearly departed '95 J30t. A Diehard was put in that car on 1/24/2003 at 103,386 miles and was still cranking this spring (4/2007) when we gave the car away at 172,000+ miles. Again, this car was started multiple times every single day of the year.

My wife also has a 2001 Jag S-Type. The original battery died in 3 years. For the past 4 years its had a Diehard Gold. Until we gave away the J30t, this car was not used every day however (only about 5000 mi. per year).

I suppose for preventative reason I ought to consider replacing the Q45a battery this winter. I may take it in for a load test.

[Skibane]

I will say this - There is a VERY noticeable difference in engine cranking speed with this new battery, even compared to back when the original cheapie was just 8 months old.

[ZMARKUS]

In my 2000 Lincoln Ls that I purchased in june 03' came with dealer Motorcraft battery. I don't know if it's the original since new or not but it's still strong today. Now, in my 1999 Infiniti Q45t that I purchased in april 06' came with a tired looking Interstate battery which I think is close to 3 years old. Although it's still going, Auto Zone tested it as dead and shouldn't be working but the Interstate store tested it 6 months ago as weakening but still good. Isn't that strange ? You know sometimes I wonder is that battery causing the stumbling I experience with the Q and because it's getting worse as if the aging battery is causing it.

[1990QOwner]

My 1990 Q is on it's 4th battery since it's been around here. The last 3 went out about 3 month apart they were just the chiep $70 exide ones. After the 3rd one I put in an expensive $130 exide gel one and it has been there for about 1 month now. I didn't know that Q's killed batteries fast, I thought it was just me. They say that heat kills them and my car is black and it was the middle of summer so I just blamed it on that.

[Jesda]

MB uses a heat shield to protect the battery from the engine's heat. It does work.

I'm not sure what the hell Nissan was thinking by putting the battery just inches away from the radiator and a large coolant hose. Fortunately, its possible to buy a sealed battery and relocate it to the trunk.

[infinitinut2]

They say that heat kills them

My 92 Q, showing 137K, is on its 3rd battery, the current (no pun intended!) Interstate being in for 3 + years. Driving environment has been coastal South Carolina (boo ugly heat and humidity in the summer!), and SW New Mexico and Texas, which have very hot summers. I do not have any empirical data to substantiate my method, but, in the a/c use season, it is common practice for my wife (she has the M30) and I to pop the hoods and raise them when we get home. And, again, I do not know if this is relevant, but the Q still has the OEM under plenum rubber, although I did buy a set from Joe a few years back when he had a sale, just in case. I look under there every so often, and there is no sign/odor of any leakage. Who knows, but, it works for us!

[AlabamaDan]

My current battery is from Wal-Mart and is 25 months old. It spent the first 20 months or so sitting in my garage on the floor. Bought it for a truck I had, then sold the truck without the battery. Installed it about 3 months ago. Works like a champ.

My previous battery was a Sears DiHard and I had it about six years, but I swear it was older. The only reason it died is that I let the Q sit and didn't crank it regularly. Battery would die, I'd charge it, It'd die, I'd charge it, etc...

I don't think my Q eats batteries.

[ZMARKUS]

Thought I'd mention I replaced my weakening Interstate Mega Tron Plus battery in my Q45t with a Gold Duralast from auto zone the other day. I did some research and read some good things about the Gold Duralast. Coincidently the company that makes Interstate makes Duralast. My Duralast also has the identical Cold Cranking and Cranking amps as the Interstate Mega Tron Plus. For $64.00 you can't beat that.
Modified by totaljett at 10:57 PM 11/6/2007