Opinion on Truck Batteries

[Mark77]

Opinions sought...

I need to put new batteries in my '19 Ram / Cummins.

I bought the set in there now, and they are just out of warranty at 38 months old.

Shopping for new batteries I keep seeing the AGM option. They are about 30% more money on average from different sources, but they all have the same warranty as their flooded counterparts, and only marginal increase in CCA.

Given the fact that they have the same warranty and I have never (until the last month) had trouble with the truck starting, I struggle with why I should spend the extra $$ when the flooded batteries have always worked fine.

Am I missing something?

 

[mlh]

AGM batteries are good for cars with Start Stop. That is the engine stops running when you stop. Regular LA batteries will not hold up to that while the AGM batteries will. That is why most new cars have them.
For me I’d get the battery with the highest CCA for the price. Almost all batteries are made by 4 different companies. Almost all are private label.
Lynwood

 

[Grandma and pappy]

I just went to auto one to get our new battery. Mainly because there is an autozone everywhere in case we have any problems.

 

[LeftOverParts]

We use AGMs but for the truck with dual batteries, I couldn’t justify the extra cost bc I replace them soon after warranty expires to avoid getting stuck during a trip. So FLAs with anti-corrosion washers, clean as needed, and check the level periodically.

We buy the Interstate brand from Costco.

 

[Mark77]

Thanks all... Thinking I will go with flooded maintenance free batteries like I have always used. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. If they had a longer warranty, I would spend the money. CCA is not a big deal to me. Truck starts well and is always either parked in a heated garage or plugged in if it's really cold outside.

 

[scottz]

I guess it depends on the price difference. I bought my AGM's at Walmart last Jan. They were $180 each. The lead acid was $140. My opinion is $40ea is worth it to prevent the corrosion and gassing of lead acid batteries. One of my OEM lead acid batteries (2.5 yrs old) leaked; had to replace the hold down brackets. Lots of info about it on the truck forums.

The advantage to Walmart is they are everywhere; warranty is easy.

 

[PSFORD99]

We use AGMs but for the truck with dual batteries, I couldn’t justify the extra cost bc I replace them soon after warranty expires to avoid getting stuck during a trip. So FLAs with anti-corrosion washers, clean as needed, and check the level periodically.

We buy the Interstate brand from Costco.

Costco batteries, one of the worst warranties there is .They are 3 year prorated the minute you buy them . Walmart much better choice . The AGM’s are 4 year free replacement. Pretty much a no brainer on what’s the best choice .

 

[LeftOverParts]

Been using Costco batteries for prob 20+ yrs so no recent experience with other brands. They did change their warranty a couple years back to prorated (not sure what the adjustment scale is but will ask the next time we’re there). Sounds like the change was made bc too many people returned the battery just before the warranty ran out. My experience is that it’s a good battery and never had one die bc it actually went bad during warranty - deeply discharged, yes; bad alternator, yes, won’t hold a charge after 5 yrs, yes. The resi fridge does seem to be harder on them so we shall see.

Checked today and about $125 for FLA, $180 for AGM.

 

[firestation12]

Opinions sought...

I need to put new batteries in my '19 Ram / Cummins.

I bought the set in there now, and they are just out of warranty at 38 months old.

Shopping for new batteries I keep seeing the AGM option. They are about 30% more money on average from different sources, but they all have the same warranty as their flooded counterparts, and only marginal increase in CCA.

Given the fact that they have the same warranty and I have never (until the last month) had trouble with the truck starting, I struggle with why I should spend the extra $$ when the flooded batteries have always worked fine.

Am I missing something?

What tips the scale towards AGM for me is the Threat of corrosion to surrounding areas of the battery is removed due to the closed cell construction. I’ve seen expensive damage caused by lead acid batteries off gassing corrosive vapors. The bitterness of damage, lingers long after the satisfaction of lower price. There may also be an advantage for AGMs operating in cold climates.

 

[MandK]

I’ve never owned agm batteries, always had fla in the cars and trucks.
But in a few years I’ll have an opinion, Ford put two agm’s oem in our new truck, hopefully because it’s considered an improvement, not just a way to raise the price.

 

[Cat320]

There is no real advantage to AGMs for trucks/cars. The AGMs are best used in the coach where they are constantly being discharged and recharged. Maintenance free are what I use as replacements for my cars/trucks.

 

[LeftOverParts]

Asked the Costco tire shop yesterday about the warranty and the person working the counter said it’s basically a straight-line prorate on the warranty so 1/3 per year, 50% at 18 mos, etc. We’re at 20 mos, so we’ll see.

 

[PSFORD99]

Asked the Costco tire shop yesterday about the warranty and the person working the counter said it’s basically a straight-line prorate on the warranty so 1/3 per year, 50% at 18 mos, etc. We’re at 20 mos, so we’ll see.

Not a great warranty for sure . We pretty much did it to ourselves at Costco , plus the fact Costco didnt help themselves at all . They would just blindly honor the 3 or 4 year warranty, didn’t even bother to check the batteries. People would get near the end of their warranty , and turn them in for new ones .

Walmart my previous set of the Everstart lead acid batteries were 3 year free replacement, and additional 2 years prorated , they went out just shy of 5 years old , they checked them both , one was shot , the other was somewhat good , so they prorated the bad one , and I got a whopping $17 on warranty for a set of new ones . Nothing on the good one . Now their lead acid are just 3 year free replacement, AGM’s 4 year free replacement.

 

[Derby6]

I’m late but I went with 2x AGM replacements on my 2019 ford. I did it cause I have ALOT of idle time and have ALOT of auxilary light bars, radios, strobes, etc…