When to replace car battery?

[perry]

I was getting my oil changed this morning and they did their usual "courtesy checks". One of them was to test the battery and it showed 515 CCA and the battery is rated for 640. The battery is an Auto Craft Gold from Advance Auto Parts and isn't quite 2 years old (3 year replacement warranty, 84 month prorated). Is it time to try to get it replaced? Anyone know what the rule of thumb is as far as rated CCA loss?

About two weeks ago the car took 2 cranks to start which was the symptom that made me get it replaced the first time. Been fine since, but this test has me a bit apprehensive for winter now.

 

[K_W]

Hi. Do not trust the oil change places. Their profit is is in add on work like batteries filters and lights.

I have worked as a counterman and delivery driver for a major autoparts retailer for 5 1/2 years. I have seen their testers fail brand new batterys if they are just a little discharged.

Also if the tester is Interstate branded (bright green) the tester asks the tech if the battery is an Interstate battery. If it is the test is more lenient and strict if it is a different brand.

The average life of a battery in Indiana is 5 years.

Take you battery to Advance, Autozone, or Oriely. They have testers that are unbiased and non-commision managers.

 

[perry]

Eh, they know I won't get the battery replaced there, especially after I told em I would take it back to Advance They said bring the car back in a month or so and they'd test it again if I wanted. The factory battery went kaput after three years (it is an 08 Mazda 3 purchased in August 07, so that battery should have been fresh). 80% of rated CCA after two years -- expected?

The only other upsell was to inform me my cabin air filter needs replaced in 6000 miles -- I will do that myself. Aside from my first oil change, a recall, and new tires, this shop has done all the work on my car over the past five years. They have treated me pretty well.

 

[threefiftyfour]

Take back to Advance and tell them it needs to be replaced. It's under full replacement warranty.

Edit: make them prove to you it will not leave you stranded this winter.

 

[eldirector]

I don't know what Advance will use as the "cut-off" for a warranty replacement. Wouldn't hurt to stop by and let them test it.

My batteries seem to last 5-7 years or so. Some longer (my fancy gel-cells), and some less (the factory batteries). I replace them when they fail to start the car.

Note: Your starter likely draws between 200A (small 4-cylinder) to 300A (V8) to start your car cold. As long as your battery can supply at least that amount, it will start your car.

 

[K_W]

Factory batterys are a different animal... they tend to fail right after the end of the car's warrenty which is about 3 years... especially the Panasonic ones in asian cars. AC Delco had a bad batch in the early 2000s that the positive terminal would corrode and fall off.

Cabin air filters are not difficult or expensive. They are between 17 and 35 dollars depending if you want odor control or not. They take literally a minute to change on most cars... but not all.

 

[tom1025]

If its still under warranty take it back to Advance and have them test it. A good battery will normally last 5-7 years. However I have had batteries go bad within a year. A bad alternator can shorten the life as well.

 

[perry]

Cabin air filters are not difficult or expensive. They are between 17 and 35 dollars depending if you want odor control or not. They take literally a minute to change on most cars... but not all.

Yea, I tried hard not to laugh when they told me about $130 for that It will be a bit of a pain on my car DIY Cabin Air Filter Change: How-To Guide w/Pics - Mazda3Forums.com

 

[jkaetz]

You'll also usually get a warning that the battery is getting weak. On cold mornings the starter might not sound quite so peppy. If it's abnormally cold, this is nothing to worry about, but if it's just marginally cold, you might want to start worrying. I too usually wait until the thing completely dies. I also have one of the small jumpstart boxes so when it does decide to go, I can still start the car. Depending on your DIY level and the make of the battery, you can also check the electrolyte level in the cells. If it is low adding some water might bring it back to life. My Grand Prix battery was sounding a little weak two years ago, I popped the caps and added a little water. It's still going strong now.

Disclaimer: The battery electrolyte is very acidic. Don't get it on you or anything else. I am not responsible if you mess it up.

 

[Brandon]

This summer wasn't a battery's best friend either.

 

[Doug]

Check the entire system.
The alternator may be undercharging or overcharging the battery.
Either will shorten battery life.

 

[karl77]

If your car keeps the lights on for a while after you shut it off, it will be harder on a battery than those that don't.

my dd gets a new battery every 3yrs, the others, as needed (normally the coldest day of the winter).

 

[steve666]

Just remember -- Dead batteries don't cost anything... they're free of charge!

 

[A_Brit_In_Indy]

Also if the tester is Interstate branded (bright green) the tester asks the tech if the battery is an Interstate battery. If it is the test is more lenient and strict if it is a different brand. WRONG!!! I have the very latest Interstate battery tester it does NOT ask what sort of battery is fitted to the vehicle, HOWEVER it will tell you what battery the vehicle calls for if you scan the VIN

The average life of a battery in Indiana is 5 years. WRONG again !!! I have changed many batteries that are 7 plus years old some as many as 10 years, I have also warranted new or nearly new batteries, remember the tester is only as good, and as honest as the person using it.

 

[A_Brit_In_Indy]

Cabin air filters are not difficult or expensive. They are between 17 and 35 dollars depending if you want odor control or not. They take literally a minute to change on most cars... but not all.

Carbon ACC filter (Cabin filter) on a BMW are $70 a set, $95 on a Mercedes and take much longer than just a minute to change

 

[tom1025]

Carbon ACC filter (Cabin filter) on a BMW are $70 a set, $95 on a Mercedes and take much longer than just a minute to change

OP has a Mazda? Since your quick to tell everyone there wrong what does a Mercedes and BMW have to do with this thread?