Battery Life

[chrisblues]

I'm just trying to get an estimate of the factory battery life. I bought my 2004 base model in June 2003. While having my oil changed at the local auto center, they suggested I get a new battery before this winter.I've never had a problem with cold weather starts.Seems like the battery should have lasted longer.Any comments? Thanks.

[gargoyle]

Sounds like they're just trying to sell you something you don't really need right now. If you're not having slow starts or any electrical trouble then it seems like the battery is still ok.

[zionzr2]

well the 03 and 04 vibe did come with a weak stock battery only 300 CCA. many in the northern climates have had issues. but typically you should expect 3-4 years of life in a stock battery. (told to me by the Batteies Plus guy)I have this "weaker" battery and I did fine this past winter. We will see... First problem I have though I will replace with a Optima Red Top!

[AKLGT]

yes, i had the crappy 330 cca OEM battery. had some problems in first winter, but the second winter, the car wouldn't start 3 times and i was late for work. i was given a warning, so the next day i went and bought an optima red top. that battery came with me when i traded the vibe in and swapped out the OEM battery in the Legacy. it was still a 500 cca battery that was much better than that 330 cca crap! it's up to you what you want to do, but if it gives you trouble, i highly recommend the Optima Red Top.

[ColonelPanic]

The smaller battery has been an issue for some... You've got about the same weather as I, never really had any issues with mine at all either. You can get by fine without having a zillion CCA's here. Although last year, it did get a wee bit slow to my liking when cranking, so I replaced it. It wasn't slow to the point where I felt I was in danger of it not turning over by any means, but I'm just (removed) about stuff like that anyway, so I replaced it. Replaced it with an AC Delco 540 CCA for somewhere around $69 at Pep Boys.Make sure your battery is not leaking (these things love to do that.) If the thing turns over fine and you haven't had any issues with it, you can probably keep it for a while longer. You could do like I did, just wait for a while, when winter hits, you'll have an idea if you should replace it or not...

[joatmon]

Has anyone had their stock Vibe battery leak?Mine is two and half years in service, and no problems.

[ColonelPanic]

I know of at least two. Mav's leaked, not sure where though... Kari's had massive amounts of corrosion surrounding the positive post for some reason. Which reminds me, we need to look at that and see if it came back after the dealer cleaned the post.

[JustinVGT]

My battery is still doing great now going on 3.5 years. It is a little weak in the very cold weather, but I've never had any problems. It just takes an extra turn or two to start in the freezing cold.

[chrisblues]

Thank you everyone for the help.

[joatmon]

one leak and one corroded post doesn't sound like proof that these batteries are leak prone to me. The low winter power in the very cold climates is an issue, obvious if only by the length of The Battery Issue thread

[binary]

When it doubt - have a parts store test it for you. They'll run it through a test unit and let you know how strong it still is.True though - the batteries from the early vibes were weak. Now that you're at 3 years on it - it may be a good time to swap it out with a new more powerful unit before it gets cold.I don't think the shop was trying to sell you something you didn't need, batteries sometimes just fail especially in extreme weather at the worst possible times. I couldn't say I wouldn't have recommended it, especially with a 330cca under the hood. Typical bettery life for an automotive cell is 3-5 years. Depending on environment and accessories used. Granted MO doesn't have the bone chilling deep freeze other areas have - you may get more than 5 years from it.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Has anyone had their stock Vibe battery leak?Mine is two and half years in service, and no problems. yes, mav's was leaking when we installed the CAI at the MI meet last year. they exchanged it out with the better battery. otherwise he'd have been stuck w/ the crappy 330 cca and no way that would have survived this coming winter up here! lol.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »one leak and one corroded post doesn't sound like proof that these batteries are leak prone to me. The low winter power in the very cold climates is an issue, obvious if only by the length of The Battery Issue threadoh yeah, um ok, sory......