Car battery life - How long did your battery last?

tsk1979 · 1st March 2006, 11:19

OEM batteries are exide in most cases and last 2-3 years at the most. But due to 1 year warranty, even a battery going kaput after 1.5 years will mean buying a new one.
I replaced my battery with a panasonic one due to 3 years warranty.
this ensures peace of mind, and also there is a live indicator on the battery telling its condition(charged, discharge, defect)

nitrous · 1st March 2006, 13:39

Yes, even my second battery in my ikon (Amaron) has this indicator which tells the condition of the battery.

Zappo · 1st March 2006, 15:54

So what exactly do we need to check? The distilled water level in the compartments? I can not think anything beyond this. Also, in Exide Freedom batteries how often do we need to do this?

tsk1979 · 1st March 2006, 15:56

Actually you need to check the specific gravity. On maintaince free batteries you should not need to do this unless you run into problem
normally these batteries go kaput due to alternator problems. But when you have 3 years warranty you are saved the expense.

santosh.s · 1st March 2006, 17:17

I suppose all cars use lead-acid type of battery. Apart from checking the fluid level/gravity, the most important trick is to keep them as much charged as possible. Use of electric devices should be restricted to bare minimum when the engine is not running. These batteries can get damaged if left in discharged state, thereby reducing the life. In case there is any problem in charging circuitry, it should be fixed at the earliest (I think all cars have some kind of indicator for such fault).

humyum · 1st June 2006, 18:42

I have a maruti 800 1998 model carbureted.Mine lasted for about 5 nd half years

panky12345 · 1st June 2006, 20:37

something in the tune of 2 - 2.5 yrs!

aZa · 1st June 2006, 21:28

Anyone had any experience with Yellow top or red top's life cycle ?

Tool · 2nd June 2006, 01:18

hello guys .. i own a optima yellow top...
yes this even i wanna know... anyone with long experince with the yello wor red top from optima please do mention your feelings here tooo

low_bass_makker · 3rd June 2006, 01:24

Earlier I had a zen the average life of the battery was nearly 10-12 months. It was because I used to play my system loud. And many times there used to be no water in the battery. So no service of battery no long life.

But now I have installed yellow top till now man no complaints.........

Tool · 5th June 2006, 19:37

super sweet !!! good to know...

heheh see 1st smiley... and approximately how long have you had the yellow top for bro ?
but thank you for your information.. highly appreciated..... makes me feeel goood

autopsyche · 6th June 2006, 01:10

I would vote Amaron as the best battery currently available in the market for its build quality and battery life. Comes with a 1 yr replacement and additional 2 yrs Pro-rata warranty.

The real juice in a battery is determined by the CCA (cold cranking amperes) output. Heavey duty vehicles like skoda diesels have 400-450cca batteries... normal midsize sedans have 300-350cca rating.

I use an electronic battery tester (which i bought from the us) to check the cca rating. When checked upon, new batteries an amaron 350cca rated battery actually had upwards of 450cca (thus more life)... while that was not the same case with exide or any other manufacturer.

Arush

santosh.s · 6th June 2006, 20:56

"prevention is better than cure" holds good for battery. I have seen, once getting dammaged it does not return to its normal operation even after fully recharging it. The cure is to live with its poor performance or get a new one. Is it possible to get them repaired?

To add to my post #20, I would say you should be aware of the capacity of your battery and power requirements of various accessories. 100W+ each headlights or audio player with thumping active subwoofers can drain the battery quite faster.

kb100 · 6th June 2006, 21:34

the rellow tops reputedly last for 8-10 yrs.... however not met any one who has first hand experience.

But yes... if one is a Battery abuser you need to go for a Deep Cycle Battery... only those ones will last..

deepakchan · 12th June 2006, 18:11

I would also rate Amaron as the best. Although the OEM (which is also Amaron) on my bolero gave up at 26 months. I've tortured the poor battery left right center. I have a 5.1 DVD Home theater in my car which sucks juice like anything. And there are times where I have seen a movie for 1 full hour without the engine running. Man I mean its just more than amazing work.

I just replaced my OEM battery today with a slightly higher amperage 80A again Amaron (OEM was 75A). The warranty was 18 months replacement + 18 month pro-rata compensation. Too early to comment on the replacement now.

[quote=autopsyche]I would vote Amaron as the best battery currently available in the market for its build quality and battery life. Comes with a 1 yr replacement and additional 2 yrs Pro-rata warranty.

1st March 2006, 11:19	#16
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	OEM batteries are exide in most cases and last 2-3 years at the most. But due to 1 year warranty, even a battery going kaput after 1.5 years will mean buying a new one. I replaced my battery with a panasonic one due to 3 years warranty. this ensures peace of mind, and also there is a live indicator on the battery telling its condition(charged, discharge, defect)
	() Thanks

1st March 2006, 13:39	#17
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Yes, even my second battery in my ikon (Amaron) has this indicator which tells the condition of the battery.
	() Thanks

1st March 2006, 15:54	#18
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	So what exactly do we need to check? The distilled water level in the compartments? I can not think anything beyond this. Also, in Exide Freedom batteries how often do we need to do this?
	() Thanks

1st March 2006, 15:56	#19
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Actually you need to check the specific gravity. On maintaince free batteries you should not need to do this unless you run into problem normally these batteries go kaput due to alternator problems. But when you have 3 years warranty you are saved the expense.
	() Thanks

1st March 2006, 17:17	#20
santosh.s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,077 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	my few cents I suppose all cars use lead-acid type of battery. Apart from checking the fluid level/gravity, the most important trick is to keep them as much charged as possible. Use of electric devices should be restricted to bare minimum when the engine is not running. These batteries can get damaged if left in discharged state, thereby reducing the life. In case there is any problem in charging circuitry, it should be fixed at the earliest (I think all cars have some kind of indicator for such fault).
	() Thanks

1st June 2006, 18:42	#21
humyum Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,752 Thanked: 5,431 Times	I have a maruti 800 1998 model carbureted.Mine lasted for about 5 nd half years
	() Thanks

1st June 2006, 20:37	#22
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	something in the tune of 2 - 2.5 yrs!
	() Thanks

1st June 2006, 21:28	#23
aZa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Noida / Delhi Posts: 1,595 Thanked: 21 Times View My Garage	Anyone had any experience with Yellow top or red top's life cycle ?
	() Thanks

2nd June 2006, 01:18	#24
Tool BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 351 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	hello guys .. i own a optima yellow top... yes this even i wanna know... anyone with long experince with the yello wor red top from optima please do mention your feelings here tooo
	() Thanks

3rd June 2006, 01:24	#25
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Earlier I had a zen the average life of the battery was nearly 10-12 months. It was because I used to play my system loud. And many times there used to be no water in the battery. So no service of battery no long life. But now I have installed yellow top till now man no complaints.........
	() Thanks

5th June 2006, 19:37	#26
Tool BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 351 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	super sweet !!! good to know... heheh see 1st smiley... and approximately how long have you had the yellow top for bro ? but thank you for your information.. highly appreciated..... makes me feeel goood
	() Thanks

6th June 2006, 01:10	#27
autopsyche Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Delhi, Indi Posts: 1,519 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	I would vote Amaron as the best battery currently available in the market for its build quality and battery life. Comes with a 1 yr replacement and additional 2 yrs Pro-rata warranty. The real juice in a battery is determined by the CCA (cold cranking amperes) output. Heavey duty vehicles like skoda diesels have 400-450cca batteries... normal midsize sedans have 300-350cca rating. I use an electronic battery tester (which i bought from the us) to check the cca rating. When checked upon, new batteries an amaron 350cca rated battery actually had upwards of 450cca (thus more life)... while that was not the same case with exide or any other manufacturer. Arush
	() Thanks

6th June 2006, 20:56	#28
santosh.s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,077 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	"prevention is better than cure" holds good for battery. I have seen, once getting dammaged it does not return to its normal operation even after fully recharging it. The cure is to live with its poor performance or get a new one. Is it possible to get them repaired? To add to my post #20, I would say you should be aware of the capacity of your battery and power requirements of various accessories. 100W+ each headlights or audio player with thumping active subwoofers can drain the battery quite faster.
	() Thanks

6th June 2006, 21:34	#29
kb100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangy Boy! Posts: 1,555 Thanked: 21 Times	the rellow tops reputedly last for 8-10 yrs.... however not met any one who has first hand experience. But yes... if one is a Battery abuser you need to go for a Deep Cycle Battery... only those ones will last..
	() Thanks

12th June 2006, 18:11	#30
deepakchan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 126 Thanked: 51 Times	Amaron ting tong I would also rate Amaron as the best. Although the OEM (which is also Amaron) on my bolero gave up at 26 months. I've tortured the poor battery left right center. I have a 5.1 DVD Home theater in my car which sucks juice like anything. And there are times where I have seen a movie for 1 full hour without the engine running. Man I mean its just more than amazing work. I just replaced my OEM battery today with a slightly higher amperage 80A again Amaron (OEM was 75A). The warranty was 18 months replacement + 18 month pro-rata compensation. Too early to comment on the replacement now. [quote=autopsyche]I would vote Amaron as the best battery currently available in the market for its build quality and battery life. Comes with a 1 yr replacement and additional 2 yrs Pro-rata warranty.
	() Thanks