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-   -   Which is the Best Car Battery Brand? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/13371-best-car-battery-brand-29.html)

Hi Folks

If someone could include a Poll on the best battery ( if possible any sub models) it would be great, for a new person like me it will surely take so much time to pass through many pages and come to conclusion of which brand to buy, please post your thoughts.

One thing that I have noticed is that OEM batteries are generally built to price and hence don't last as long as replacement batteries. The OEM amaron in the Alto gave up its ghost in 18 months. Warranty was 15 months whereas the OEM Exide in the Palio ran for 3.5 years. Now my Uno has always run on Exide and somehow they don't seem to last more than 3.5 years. The present one actually lasted 46 months. This is my 4th battery for the car, lets see how long this one lasts.

I do agree that Exide suffers from inconsistent quality but again they are the one who give the maximum replacement warranty of 30 months. I think Exide is a bit like Mercedes, which reduced its quality for sometime and earned enough brickbats that they till today trying to recover from it.

@Milecruncher, here's something you would be intrested in :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...tery-last.html

As told by TBHP-ians, only 11% of OE batteries failed before 18 months. A majority have lasted 3+ years.

Even your observation here about the OE Exide contradicts your observation that OE batteries dont last.

For the Alto's battery failing at 18 months :
1. Lasted beyond it's warranty.
2. Why did it fail.
(My OE SF lasted me 44 months - but I know it could have lasted more if I was able to avoid the multiple month+ long breaks I was forced to do)
Good to see Exide running this long. 3.5 yrs is pretty good.

Palio's was an exception. Apart from that I have seen the OE batteries conk out with 15-18 months on a friend's Wagon R, M800, Baleno. Don't remember the makes. though

The alto in question runs daily about 10 Kms. One fine morning in July, the car wouldn't start, so got it jump started took it for a longsih spin. It was fine and was starting. Next morning same issue. Took it to MASS and they diagnosed it as battery failure. I personally didn't get to check the sp.gravity of the battery before replacement.

I think the last Exide on the Uno should have lasted more if it was being used regularly. The car used to be standing regularly for 15-20 days while I travelled and then was standing close to 1.5 years intermittently wh one charging en I moved abroad. But after coming back and one charging session, it was back to being fully healthy. But then I bought the Bolero and again the Uno was standing for close to 5 months and I think this is what killed it. Anyways now I intend to regularly use the Uno so hopefully this should serve well.

BTW one observation yesterday: While trying to start the car, the music system didn't get turned off momentarily during cranking.

Is this what you call full? :Shockked:
What seems to be happening is that only the aggrieved ones come forth and make a lot of noise, whereas the ones who have not had a problem stay quiet!

@Mathur saab, when you quoted my msg and asked me about my definiton of "full" - you missed the context of my reference to the word "full". To state it once again :

Full = as in the full term of the warranty.
The warranty provided was 15 months. The battery lasted 18 months. While @Milecrucher did not have a say in the battery he got as OE, neither he nor the car manufacturer can complain about that specific point.

So, correct me if I have missed anything here.


Also, how long a battery will last will depend largely on how it is used. These points have been discussed in all our battery threads. Let's not go back & do a re-hash of it all. Thanks !

Agreed. I find Castrol and Exide are quite similar in this respect. Not many spec disclosures. Is it due to the fact that they're both 'license raj' companies when Indians had to pretty much lap up whatever was thrown at them?

Anup ji, as I said below never had probs with Exide so far (touch wood). But feedback on Exide here on TBHP suggests that their quality is inconsistent if not actually dipping. And yes, I too believe OEM batteries are built to a price.

I am keeping a close eye on my batt (other than maintaining it very well) and intend taking it for a load test at least once a year. That's the best I can do to at least prevent it from dying on me suddenly.

Cheers!

Condor, indeed you missed something - that post was for Raccoon to answer! :)

@Mathur saab, my bad .. from your post it looked liked you asked me the question.@Racoon, what say you .. ?

^^^ Well, from my memory I can recall maximum complaints on tbhp regarding Exides. If only those who have issues with Exides are making noise, then how come those with issues with other brands are keeping quiet?? I guess maybe we should have a poll regarding this, rather than arguing this point. :) Btw, this issue about lower lifespan and leakage from Exides is not just my own experience but also that of relatives and friends. What is more, even a couple of good mechanics and a multi-brand dealer told me that they see max failures and leakages with Exides.

Have mentioned this before, but it seems now Amco also makes equally crappy batteries. Seems this has happened after Yuasa pulled out...

Hi All,

Yesterday got my Palio back from regular service, glad to know my 5.5 year old stalk batery is still healthy. My curiosity made me enquire the price of new battery in TATA motors, they quoted 7K :eek:. DIN 50 is that costly? My first preference is Amaron if not Bosch, any update on the latest prices please:.

I understand you have a Petrol. Petrol 1.2 Palio came with DIN 44 batteries originally. Exide DIN44- 5300/4600(with exchange), SONIC DIN44(4600), Amaron - DIN 50 (73XX), No idea about Bosch

Thanks MileCruncher, i never thought my battery will cost beyond 5K :Frustrati.

So I cannot think of an advance replacement, i have to wait for the last breath of my reliable buddy "AMARON" :)

Just on the same note dear, couldnt it be because they make & sell the most number of batteries. Being in Service Industry it is my experience that satisfied customer will hardly appreciate but unsatisfied will always make noise.

^^^ Yes, I thought of that. I don't know the stats, but at least on tbhp a lot of people seem to have Amaron, and users don't seem to rant half as much. Nor do my relatives/friends/etc.