Diesel Battery Question

[RKassl]

My 2004 D/A is our first diesel. Now we are pushing 5 model years with the OEM batteries. I haven't seen any problems, but when do most people change the two batteries to avoid any problems down the road?

Thanks

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Typically batteries will last up to 5 years and YES even the lifetime guaranteed batteries will typically only last 5 years. Now I am not saying they will necessarily fail at 5 years + one day. They can last 6 years or even 7 years but typically 5 is the point they start going down hill.

When any of my batteries reach that 5 year mark I am usually buying a new one in very short order.

[sgtpp214]

Thanks Glenn. I've had this same question. The tires on the Dodge will need replacement this summer and looks like best to replace the batteries too. Also the roof on the stick home is due for replacement too. Looks like half our travel budget may be shot on maintenance.. Easy come easy go.

[skypilot]

Dave: One thing to remember is to replace both batteries at the same time -- a bad battery will drag a good one down quickly if left there..Years ago the Ford dealer put a battery condition 'switch' in the circuit between my two Ford batteries -- was designed to prevent one from pulling (damaging) the other. Apparently it really didn't work as advertised because I haven't seen them on the market lately but the idea was good - to isolate each battery from the other but allow the charging system to charge them as needed..

[Sunseekers]

Just replaced 2 batteries in our 2003 GMC. Not much advance warning. Fell short of 5 years by a few months but glad we were in the garage when it happened and not on the road pulling!

[Charlie]

Mine is now 7 years old and still using one of the OEM batteries. Replaced the other about two years ago. I'm surprised this Motorcraft battery has lasted this long but don't expect it to be around much longer.

[waldo238]

Just replaced both of mine with 2 Walmart Everstart batteries. I used 2 of these in my boat (deep cycles) also, these are some of the best batteries I have ever used.

[RKassl]

Anybody have any experience with the gel batteries? What are they designed to do better than traditional batteries?

[waldo238]

They can tipically last longer close to 10 years, really heavy, drain them and you will shorten the life of the battery. And if it breaks what a mess.

[Montana Sky]

Still running the OEM batteries on my 04 Duramax with over 92,000 miles on it. Have no signs of them loosing any cranking power.

[mtnhntr]

I still have the OEM (Motorcraft) batteries on my 2000 F-350. I suppose I should replace them "just because" sometime this year.

[clutch]

My truck is a 98 and I changed the batteries last fall at 94K. I got more than I expected out of them and changed them for Optima's before I had a problem on the road.

[hazmic]

I have said this before here and will say it again. Take the truck to a shop that can and will load test the battery's. The load test will give a great indication how the battery's are and if they are good or getting bad. To check a battery it must be load tested for a accurate account on the battery. If you have two battery's and one is going bad REPLACE BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME. The gel cells are great battery's but pricey.

[BigAl52]

Hey Clutch how do you like the Optima batterys? I am think of doing the same thing in my Dodge. My mechanic uses those and swears by them. He likes them because he says he never worries about the corrosion around the posts. Only draw back is the price they are 140.00 a piece here. Al

[RKassl]

Who makes the Optima battery and is that a gel?

Thanks

[BigAl52]

RKassi
They are made by Optima as far as I know. They have been around awhile and the guy who works on my Dodge swears by them. They have a 3year replacement guarantee and are avaliable at Sams Club. AL

[clutch]

BigAl, I had the Optima's installed in September so they have been in the truck for 6 months. The posts are as clean today as when they were installed.

I was having to clean the connections every 4 to 5 months or my torque converter would start acting up by going in and out of lockup. I think that problem is cured. I bought the red ones. If I change trucks in the next couple of years I will have the Optimas installed in the next truck.

[5ER]

Last week at work during lunch time I went to start the truck and it turned over but would not start. I went out to the truck one hour later and it started and I went straight to the dealer and had both batterys replaced. I was just glad that it happened while at work and not while we were towing the fifth wheel. Our truck is an 03 with 94K miles. If I were you I would replace the batterys while it is convenient.

[MacDR50]

I replaced my two MH batteries with AGM type. They are deep cycle but given that most vehicle batteries remain at 80% or better these should last forever or at least till I am too decrepit to care.

[mobrownies]

Ours only made it about 37 months after purchase. Very little warning and very difficult to jump start. Diesels are very hard on batteries. If you have gotten more than 3 or 4 years, you have got your money's worth and been lucky.