Car Batteries: The best you've used.

[9mmfan]

The ice truck thread got me thinking. What name brand battery do you use in your car/truck/snow mobile? What batteries have you bought that were junk? The best?

I personally only use Interstate batteries. Have used them in the past 3 cars I've had. This winter my car started EVERY morning (and I park outside). There were a few times it was close but I never had to ask for a jump. On the other had I have had to jump start other peoples cars.

 

[Sainte]

Optima red top. Friggin awesome and worth the extra money it will cost.

 

[Outlaw]

I replaced mine about 5 years ago with a duralast gold. Not a top notch brand but its never failed me. Not even close. I even left a dome light on when we got the 12 inches and didn't even hiccup.

 

[9mmfan]

I've also recently found out that most vehicle batteries are only made by 3 companies, one being Johnson Controls (which makes Interstate). Do these 'brand' batteries have certain 'specs' to them or do these companies have different 'levels' of battery?

 

[churchmouse]

Optima red top. Friggin awesome and worth the extra money it will cost.

Ran Optima in my drag cars and my battery back up/inverter power source.
They are the best I have found.

 

[pute62]

Had an Interstate in my car when I bought it (used) that went dead during the first cold snap we had. Talked to a guy at Harris batteries next door (at work) thinking I may get a deal from him. He read the codes on my battery and told me to contact Interstate about their warranty. My battery was 5 years old and Interstate pro rated me a new one for $37 with a brand new warranty.

 

[Bennettjh]

I've always ran Interstate. I would like to try an Optima in my Grand Cherokee next time.

 

[saleen4971]

great battery? Interstate. a bit more than some others, but worth the extra cash.

worst? optima. 3 years i went through FOUR of those turds. cost almsot twice as much, dont last for crap. i had ONE of them last 5 years. that was a long time ago. i will NEVER recommend that anyone buy one.

 

[suzgsxr1300]

Several years ago I put a Die Hard in my truck, and I had nothing but trouble. Sears kept blaming it on the alternator, but I decided to try changing the battery before spending the money on a new alternator. Surprisingly, I put in a Duralast from Autozone and never looked back. Sears did end up refunding my money.

 

[Gadgetmonster]

Walmart Ever-Start batteries are my choice.
They are Johnson control batteries.
They have a solid warranty and with WM stores all over the place you stand a good chance of getting a replacement under warranty quickly.
Good prices too. I have used them for years in my small fleet of vans.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I tend to prefer Duralast and Duralast Gold. The Duralast Gold incorporate some technology which makes them better than usual.

I've been wanting to try gel-cell like Optima, but I get very mixed reviews on them. If I ever start hard-core offroading again I'll be running one simply for the no-leak design.

Josh

 

[Frosty]

Walmart Ever-Start batteries are my choice.
They are Johnson control batteries.
They have a solid warranty and with WM stores all over the place you stand a good chance of getting a replacement under warranty quickly.
Good prices too. I have used them for years in my small fleet of vans.

I've had nothing but bad luck with Walmart batteries. Weird. They always die on me after about 3 years. Fwiw, one of the service techs said they are going to a shorter warranty, no free replacements. Personally I've got an interstate in my car and it's been great. When the wm battery in the truck goes it will be getting one to.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Optima all the way. They stand up good to off road vibration. I had a Die Hard explode on me once, but the plates were still all connected and it started my car several times before it was replaced.

 

[chezuki]

Optima red top. Friggin awesome and worth the extra money it will cost.

This!

 

[TheNewGuy]

Definitely a red top

 

[Robert8252]

I really like XS Power AGM. Used to be big into car audio and such. Never had a single problem with them. Just bought a new F150 last year so I'm still running the motorcraft but will go XS for the next one. Cost more than your usually battery though.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

Interstate fer yrs.......

best my $$'s ever bought,hands down......

 

[fastwally]

Walmart Ever-Start batteries are my choice.
They are Johnson control batteries.

They control your Johnson?

If I have to replace, It's an Interstate.

 

[WebSnyper]

They control your Johnson?

The wife would appreciate that.

 

[96ramair]

The new optima's are not ad good as the old ones.Optima has been sold off to several different companies over the years.