OEM Batteries

[Charlie]

How long are the OEM batteries lasting in the diesel trucks out there? Mine are now at an unbelievable 72 months. The truck has been parked for a week in the garage and went out today and it cranked right up. However I did notice a slight drag on the starter on the first roll of the engine. Think that replacements might not be too far off.

[ols1932]

Charlie,
I think that's about right. My first ones lasted from March '95 to March '01. The replacements purchased from O'Reilly Auto Parts lasted from March '01 to March '06. I now have FOMOCO batteries installed.

Orv

[lwcdg]

Charlie, I've had friends that had probems with OEM batteries. No problems when they went back to Ford and bought Motorcraft. Doesn't make sense but they were now running and not left stranded or waiting for someone. When I put new batteries in I'm going back to Motorcraft. Both friends are driving diesels and after watching this I'm thinking they taught me a good lesson.
Just my observation,
Chuck

[Emmel]

My original batteries lasted 4and 1/2 years and had to be replaced on the road last year. I went with a brand of deep cycle bayyeries carried by Advanced Auto simply because if I have trouble again, I want access to the retail store on weekends too. Same can be said by other brands from other stores, just watch for the warranty. We got the 60 month pro-rated. This is not a reccomendation, just letting you know there are a lot of different brands out there and costs too.

[Thunderman]

Mine lasted about 41/2 years...replaced with Motorcraft 80 month batteries. They have 100% replacement warranty for first 36 months.

[Wrenchtraveller]

I always replaced my batteries at 5 years on all my vehicles, gas or diesel and if I lived in the cold regions of Canada I would change them out every 3 years. Face it, the last thing we want is to be dead on the road and I have never had to ask for a jump in my 40 years of driving, but have jumped many others who probably like to get more time out of their batteries. OEM are not usually the strongest you can by but when I replace I get the most powerful I can get, usually at Costco when they have a discount promotion going on.

Vehicles with two batteries need them both changed out at the same time to insure long life.

[kmh3212]

My OEM about 4 years. Consumer reports rated the Autozone Duralast Golds as the best. Great warranty and open 7 days a week till late just in case!

[Cat320]

I got six years out of my last OEM battery.

[virgil47]

Charlie,

My FOMOCO OEM batteries lasted from June 1997 until November 2003. I had Interstate 850CCA's installed and here in February 2007, they are still strong.
My 1997 7.3PSD has 231,000 miles on it. I have replaced the starter once at about 180,000 and it's symptom before it failed completely was it was "dragging". Additionally, I've twice replaced what Ford said was a "sensor". It also caused slow starts.

All in all, this PSD has been a solid performer. Just can't bring myself to get rid of it just yet.