PDA

View Full Version : Car Battery Recommendation



Ambitious1
12-15-2016, 12:43 PM
I am looking at buying a new car battery for the MM. I don't run any wild electronics or stereo systems. I drive all year round in the hot and cold weather. I have always had Motorcraft or DieHard. I have heard great things about the Optima Red Tops and have read the previous threads on it. However, I have heard that Johnson Controls have bought the Optima brand a number of years ago and production is now in Mexico with quality declining. I am reading that buyers are experiencing Optima battery failing and having to return the Optima battery (sometimes twice) after only one or two years since Johnson Controls bought Optima.

What is everyone's current new car battery recommendation?
Thank you in advance.

Black Terror
12-15-2016, 12:47 PM
Motorcraft 850 is the best I have used.

JBFTech
12-15-2016, 12:58 PM
I would steer clear of Optima these days. I had great luck years ago, then noticed first hand that the quality was declining. Motorcraft, or Delco AGM are my choices, I've had great luck with both.

Mr. Man
12-15-2016, 01:00 PM
I'm running Interstate 1000/800cca's in both cars. Motorcraft that came in the car lasted along time as well.

vkirkend
12-15-2016, 01:01 PM
Motorcraft.

Black&Gifted
12-15-2016, 01:22 PM
Odyssey AGM, but they are expensive. Really good starting power. Most don't need AGM tech.

Motorcraft 850 is also very good at much better price.

Zack
12-15-2016, 02:08 PM
There are 2-3 battery manufacturers worldwide, just re-branded.

Gerry24
12-15-2016, 02:21 PM
Motorcraft 850 is the best I have used.

What ^^^^^^^^^said

Catfish
12-15-2016, 02:51 PM
There are 2-3 battery manufacturers worldwide, just re-branded.

Zach is basically right. I learned at SEMA the 2 biggest in the U.S. are East Penn Manufacturing and Johnson Controls. They make the majority of batteries you see in stores and dealerships. I've had good luck with the Everstart batteries sold at Walmart. They're made by Johnson Controls who I believe also makes the Motorcraft, Interstate, and Diehard batteries.

RubberCtyRauder
12-15-2016, 03:08 PM
motorcraft, 650,750,or,850. more cca as you go higher if needed.

i have had good luck with interstate mtp850. these are not the ugly green top ones, black top with small interstate letters on it.

BLACKMARAUDER04
12-15-2016, 05:12 PM
Costco has the best warranty and prices for Interstate batteries with a 42 month warranty.
Dealer had to replace my Interstate battery after the Alternator fried it out
(under warranty).
The Motorcraft replacement battery lasted 6 months.
Costco's usually last 3 years before needing replacing.
Remember, I live in a high heat area that takes a lot out of the battery.

RF Overlord
12-15-2016, 05:30 PM
Motorcraft or Interstate

JBeezy
12-15-2016, 05:34 PM
I bought the Auto craft Platinum AGM from Advance Auto online and used a coupon. $40 off $100

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

kirk
12-15-2016, 05:38 PM
My last Marauder Motorcraft battery lasted 14 years.

I bought another one.

fastblackmerc
12-15-2016, 06:48 PM
Die Hard Gold AGM battery.

Turbov6Bryan
12-15-2016, 07:03 PM
I believe interstate batteries have a 60 month warranty, they are ok batteries, not the best

When I drove my DD MM to Florida and back 3300 miles in 3 days the battery shorted out and had a busted cell. No idea why it did that 3 days after I got home

I looked online, called around to places... it was 20.00 cheaper to buy online and pickup at store at NAPA


As Jim said, diehard batteries used to be the best ones around, Western Auto and Sears sold them. My dad and grandpa swore that diehard was the best
but I haven't bought one of them in years

Are diehards still great ?

SOSA03
12-15-2016, 08:30 PM
Johnson Controls manufactures DieHard, Motorcraft, AC Delco, Interstate,Duralast, prostart, etc if I recall

dohc324ci
12-15-2016, 08:35 PM
Motorcraft original lasted 9 years for me.

Merc-O-matic
12-15-2016, 10:04 PM
Original MOTORCRAFT battery lasted 12 years!
Don't leave home without it!:beatnik:

Bluerauder
12-16-2016, 04:43 AM
Motorcraft BXT65-650, BXT65-750, or BXT65-850 depending on whether you need the higher CCA for colder areas. I've had good experience with the Motorcraft. It is a 100-month battery. I am on my 2nd one in 14 years.

alec2538
12-16-2016, 09:13 PM
We're an Interstate dealer at work, don't bother. I'm seeing more and more of them come back junk. Their reserve capacity always seems over rated.

My ex's 6 year old DieHard in her '01 Sport Trac managed to get the truck over 35 miles with the headlights on with an absolutely smoked alternator. I've also had great luck with the Everstart MAXX batteries at Walmart.

No clue of the age/brand that's in my MM. But I'm in Minnesota, and it gets COLD, and she starts strong and fast every single day.

justbob
12-17-2016, 08:12 AM
I just replaced my F150 battery BT65 850 (same as Marauder) after 3 1/2 years due to a bad cell.

Look up recent threads on the F150 forums and you'll see most of them jumped off the Motorcraft bandwagon in the last few years..

I installed a yellow top duralast I bought for the Marauder five years ago or more that's been sitting on the concrete for the last TWO years and it fired right up without jumping it. So much for that myth..


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

sailsmen
12-17-2016, 08:14 AM
I would steer clear of Optima these days. I had great luck years ago, then noticed first hand that the quality was declining. Motorcraft, or Delco AGM are my choices, I've had great luck with both.

Yep, No more Optimas for me.

justbob
12-17-2016, 10:34 AM
Yep, No more Optimas for me.



Only having one for almost two years I'm hardly in a position to judge yet. I just hope the bad reviews are wrong.

I can say that it can sit for eight weeks at a time in sub zero temps and sound no different than brand new combined with my high torque mini starter.

Time will tell..


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

DrZ
12-17-2016, 11:58 AM
Motorcraft OEM size
:D

GreekGod
12-25-2016, 08:07 PM
I had a Die Hard Gold last 17 years, and the only reason it died when it did, was because I left the charger on it when the water got low.

Wal-Mark has three grades they sell, with different/better warranties, the more you pay.

I have found the biggest problem with (especially lead-acid type), is if you don't keep them charged, and let them get sulfated. I now only use automatic chargers.

read here:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/

==