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Post by gato on Jan 11, 2021 10:44:01 GMT -5
As of today, my Chevrolet Trax is 3 years old. This being my first modern car, I have a question to put to y'all who have had the digital beasties forever. Will I get some kind of dashboard warning if the battery is starting to degrade, or is it simply "battery good --- battery dead."
Would you replace a battery that seems to be working fine, simply because it is in the not-so-green zone of expected battery life, as predicted by the manufacturer?
And what about those key fob batteries?
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Post by Leftee on Jan 11, 2021 10:50:24 GMT -5
I wouldn’t consider changing a car battery until the car cranks a little slower on chilly mornings.
Our Durango (keyless) lets us know when the fob battery is getting low.
Generally, a fob battery is a 2032. They’re easy to change. When in doubt, utoob. You can preemptively change those with little time and money invested. I would consider it after 3 or 4 years.
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Post by justin on Jan 11, 2021 14:53:28 GMT -5
I replace my wife's car battery preemptively because they don't give any real warning when the're about to go (I live in SoCal). I have't been married long enough to establish any real pattern but it looks like I seem to replace them every three years. I usually wait until mine dies, but I just upgraded my newish battery to an AGM because it's been a known issue in my car that the OEM battery was weak and the parasitic draw can be on the high side. I don't want the battery to die at an inconvenient time. The OEM battery always carried a lower than expected voltage, though I never load tested it. It had given me slow cranks though. My new battery should last 2-3x as long (6-10 years) than the flooded lead acid type. I will upgrade to the same for wife's car when necessary.
Additionally I put a battery jump starter in each car. I had to use it once when my wife accidentally left her stereo on for several hours. These things are great, especially since it's ill-adviced to use jumper cables these days.
As far as the CR2032 batteries, they seem to be in a lot of things. I bought a giant pack on Amazon for only a few dollars - a much better deal than buying a single pack at the store when you really need one. I also stock big packs of lithium AA and AAA. They seem to last forever once the alkalines get replaced.
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Post by modbus on Jan 11, 2021 15:04:47 GMT -5
My truck is a 2011. It still has its original battery. I'm on borrowed time.
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Post by LTB on Jan 11, 2021 15:46:27 GMT -5
My truck is a 2011. It still has its original battery. I'm on borrowed time. That is incredible! Most batteries that come stock typically last 24-36 months. After reading previous posts I have read up on AGM battery technology. I don’t change until problems start to exist. Next change I will consider AGM. |
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Post by gato on Jan 11, 2021 16:09:49 GMT -5
My experience in changing auto batteries has always been with ancient air cooled VW's. Out comes the old, in goes the new, without preamble.
I understand that with new cars, you have to provide a back up power source when removing the battery, to prevent losing all pre-sets, computer settings in the brain and what not. On the Tube of You I saw various solutions:
Connect another 12 volt battery to the terminals before removing the old battery.
Use an OBD "memory saver" with a 9 volt battery, that goes into the OBD plug and then into the cigarette lighter.
Hooking up a Battery Tender to the terminals before removing the old battery (since the system only needs to see 12.6 volts)
Any thoughts on which is best?
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Post by modbus on Jan 11, 2021 16:57:45 GMT -5
Connect another 12 volt battery to the terminals before removing the old battery. I'm not sure which is best, but I suppose this one would be the one with the most potential for danger, given the amount of current the other battery could source in the event of an accidental short. |
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Post by Leftee on Jan 11, 2021 17:11:49 GMT -5
I’m not aware of having to provide “bridge power” when changing a battery. I’ve never had to do it.
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Post by gato on Jan 11, 2021 17:58:01 GMT -5
I’m not aware of having to provide “bridge power” when changing a battery. I’ve never had to do it. Like this here: |
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hilltop87
Wholenote
My Strat is my friend
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Post by hilltop87 on Jan 11, 2021 18:02:40 GMT -5
Don't worry your oil change guy will tell you need a new one every time you go in for an oil change.
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Post by tahitijack on Jan 11, 2021 19:51:31 GMT -5
Obviously the battery will die about an hour before you get into your car intending leave for an important (doctor's, dental, accountant or attorney) appointment. In your case it is even mor likely a few minutes before you leave to pick up your bride at a location about an hours drive away from where you parked your car.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 11, 2021 20:05:14 GMT -5
My truck is a 2011. It still has its original battery. I'm on borrowed time. That is incredible! Most batteries that come stock typically last 24-36 months. After reading previous posts I have read up on AGM battery technology. I don’t change until problems start to exist. Next change I will consider AGM. My 2012 Equinox still has the original battery, so does my neighbor's. Both our vehicles are parked outside all year through cold winters. |
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Post by LTB on Jan 11, 2021 20:36:56 GMT -5
That is incredible! Most batteries that come stock typically last 24-36 months. After reading previous posts I have read up on AGM battery technology. I don’t change until problems start to exist. Next change I will consider AGM. My 2012 Equinox still has the original battery, so does my neighbor's. Both our vehicles are parked outside all year through cold winters. What brand of battery is it? |
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 11, 2021 21:01:25 GMT -5
My 2012 Equinox still has the original battery, so does my neighbor's. Both our vehicles are parked outside all year through cold winters. What brand of battery is it? Don't know, it's in the rear by the spare tire. I bought the vehicle brand new in 2012. |
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Post by modbus on Jan 11, 2021 21:19:20 GMT -5
My battery is a Motorcraft. Incidentally, my wife had a car with the same model battery and it lasted 3.5 years.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 11, 2021 21:27:18 GMT -5
Been thinking about replacing mine, but even in cold weather it starts right up. Going on 10 years old now, but I've had people tell me they've gotten 12+ years out of stock batteries these days. I do carry an emergency jumper pack so I'm covered either way. I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Hell I'm still on the original brake pads on that 2012 Equinox and I'm a VERY rough person on vehicles.
I think in spring I'll have all the hoses/coolant changed however.
Factory tires however did not last very long, sidewalls were all cracked after 5 years. Got some Continentals, they are great and have an 80,000 mile warranty, going on 5 years and they show very little wear, they are amazing in snow with my AWD.
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Post by LTB on Jan 12, 2021 17:23:28 GMT -5
Been thinking about replacing mine, but even in cold weather it starts right up. Going on 10 years old now, but I've had people tell me they've gotten 12+ years out of stock batteries these days. I do carry an emergency jumper pack so I'm covered either way. I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it. Hell I'm still on the original brake pads on that 2012 Equinox and I'm a VERY rough person on vehicles. I think in spring I'll have all the hoses/coolant changed however. Factory tires however did not last very long, sidewalls were all cracked after 5 years. Got some Continentals, they are great and have an 80,000 mile warranty, going on 5 years and they show very little wear, they are amazing in snow with my AWD. Continental tires are good . Had them on both cars. Just changed them on wife’s car after 66, 000 miles back two still had mileage left but front two worn bald on outer edges( not tires fault) went ahead bought all new and got reimbursed for back two. |
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Post by thumbpicker on Jan 14, 2021 21:26:56 GMT -5
I'm in the change it out when it cranks slowly crowd. I've gotten 10 years out of some and a lot less when it's a vehicle that doesn't get used every day or so. Battery tenders are great if you are going to leave them sit without using them for months. I mainly use those on Motorcycles etc. though. Some vehicles charge them up faster than others. Given the cost of a good battery now I use them till they quit unless I'm living in a very remote area and the vehicle absolutely cannot fail.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 14, 2021 22:49:38 GMT -5
Battery in my Dad’s Subaru Outback has died after just over a year. His mechanic blames that feature that shuts the engine on/off when you stop at a light. Says that stresses the battery too much.
I don’t think that feature is designed for places like NYC.
He has now disabled that feature in his Outback, and in my Mom’s.
That’s right, they have his and hers Outbacks, purchased at the same time.
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Post by mountie on Jan 15, 2021 17:19:59 GMT -5
The battery in my 2010 GMC truck died without warning. Luckily I had worked for NAPA and they delivered one the next (Saturday) day. Lost nothing through codes etc, but had to Google removal-(brace and hidden clamp). Every other battery fail has given me a warning with slow (or no) cranking power.
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JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
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Post by JDC on Jan 17, 2021 23:27:13 GMT -5
Battery in my Dad’s Subaru Outback has died after just over a year. His mechanic blames that feature that shuts the engine on/off when you stop at a light. Says that stresses the battery too much. I don’t think that feature is designed for places like NYC. He has now disabled that feature in his Outback, and in my Mom’s. That’s right, they have his and hers Outbacks, purchased at the same time. Subaru allows permanent disabling? That would be a "plus" for me. Many cars that have this feature seem to require you to disable the feature every time you start the car. Back to the batteries: My mom owns a Cadillac which has the battery (drum roll please) UNDER THE BACK SEAT. Not only is the placement a nuisance but because of its location in the passenger compartment it has to be vented. There is charging access under the hood but it doesn't seem to be as good as connecting a charger directly to battery poles. |
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 18, 2021 0:14:36 GMT -5
Battery in my Dad’s Subaru Outback has died after just over a year. His mechanic blames that feature that shuts the engine on/off when you stop at a light. Says that stresses the battery too much. I don’t think that feature is designed for places like NYC. He has now disabled that feature in his Outback, and in my Mom’s. That’s right, they have his and hers Outbacks, purchased at the same time. Subaru allows permanent disabling? That would be a "plus" for me. Many cars that have this feature seem to require you to disable the feature every time you start the car. Back to the batteries: My mom owns a Cadillac which has the battery (drum roll please) UNDER THE BACK SEAT. Not only is the placement a nuisance but because of its location in the passenger compartment it has to be vented. There is charging access under the hood but it doesn't seem to be as good as connecting a charger directly to battery poles. He didn’t mention whether it was a permanent disabling or if he had to do it every time. He just said he turned it off. |
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Post by gato on Jan 18, 2021 6:42:16 GMT -5
"My mom owns a Cadillac which has the battery (drum roll please) UNDER THE BACK SEAT. Not only is the placement a nuisance but because of its location in the passenger compartment it has to be vented. There is charging access under the hood but it doesn't seem to be as good as connecting a charger directly to battery poles."
All of my VW bugs have the battery under the back seat. I do all my charging via a "hot" cigarette lighter jack. (Trickle charger: 2 amps)
The real fun begins when one of those lead acid beauties leaks onto the floorboard underneath.
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JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
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Post by JDC on Jan 18, 2021 22:33:03 GMT -5
Interesting. I guess I've forgotten (or never knew) abought VW Bugs. Now that you mention it, though, there wasn't any place for a battery under the hood or decklid. I owned a couple "back in the day" and, for the life of me, can't remember ever having to replace or charge a battery in either. Maybe because I bought them new and had moved onto other cars before they experienced any battery issues.
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Post by LTB on Jan 19, 2021 0:04:11 GMT -5
All of my VW bugs have the battery under the back seat. Interesting, I have driven and ridden in VW's but never knew the battery was under the back seat. I knew the heater got it's heat off the engine's exhaust manifold. Bad day when cold and the the manifold leaked!  |
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Post by gato on Jan 19, 2021 6:48:11 GMT -5
German engineers are clever. With the battery placed under the back seat (passenger side), they designed a metal lid that protected the batter terminals, and clamped down to secure the battery in place, in case someone's mother-in-law plopped down onto the seat. (Metal springs within the underside of the seat could be pressed down). Some owners, when changing out the battery, decided the lid was too much bother and left it off, before putting the seat back in place. What could possibly go wrong?
In the VW bus, (engine in the rear, of course) the engineers took advantage of all that extra room in the engine compartment, and put the battery way over on the right hand side. For the shade tree mechanic, this means kneeling at the alter of the Four Banger and sticking the upper body inside, when it's time to get at the battery. Not only is it extraordinarily awkward, but lifting a 30 lb battery from that crimped spine position, puts your vertabrae to the ultimate test.
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Post by bluzcat on Jan 19, 2021 10:19:46 GMT -5
I used to use AutoZone batteries pretty regularly due to the generous warranty but their warranty has gotten down to just three years and the batteries seem to last about that long. I just put a Toyota brand battery (for about the same money) in my Lexus SUV and I will see how that goes. It replaced an Autozone branded one.
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Post by modbus on Jan 19, 2021 11:38:03 GMT -5
What could possibly go wrong? The world's first heated seats! |
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Post by Leftee on Jan 19, 2021 11:39:43 GMT -5
What could possibly go wrong? The world's first heated seats! German electric chair. |
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