Time to Replace the stock battery

[Whelan]

05 Matrix with just about 83,000 miles. I went to start it up today 30 degree morning, little frosty. Car took a few turns to kick on. I have been thinkin it's probably about time to replace the original battery.Question is, what brand, type, output, etc.I have nothing additional on the car that would draw any extra power, i.e. running a system or the like. So I'm not sure I would need an Optima style battery. But what would be a decent brand, Die Hard? Interstate? suggestions.

[BlueCrush]

http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... d?id=34682

[Whelan]

I was thinking Die Hard, I had one of the Auto Zone Duralast Golds before, worked great.

[ehoff121]

Your battery is less than 4 years old. Don't they usually last around 5?My '05 AWD is also a little slow to crank on a cold morning, but the battery is fine when it's warmer.Anyone think that we might benefit from grounding wires instead?

[BlueCrush]

Ground wires will help a little with starting quicker, but the oem battery has pretty low CCA especially for cold winter locations. A battery with higher CCA would bew of more benefit than ground wires with an older oem battery.

[Whelan]

I havent had a chance to peek at the CCA for our batteries stock. I would assume it's gotta be like 460 or 5 something. My Duralast Gold series was 600+ CCAAlso my cars are never in garages always out in the open. So I would imagine that is more strain.

[BlueCrush]

The oem Vibe batteries used to be 320CCA. Not sure what they are now though.

[Whelan]

See to me that is low. I would be a lot more comfortable with something like 550 for a CCA.

[BlueCrush]

Without a block heater the Vibe really struggles to start when it is -15F or lower when using the 320CCA battery.

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »05 Matrix with just about 83,000 miles. I went to start it up today 30 degree morning, little frosty. Car took a few turns to kick on. I have been thinkin it's probably about time to replace the original battery.Question is, what brand, type, output, etc.I have nothing additional on the car that would draw any extra power, i.e. running a system or the like. So I'm not sure I would need an Optima style battery. But what would be a decent brand, Die Hard? Interstate? suggestions.mine's also have a hard time with the cold weather (not to mention a few quirks with occasionally dim lights on the speedo and my radio clock resetting). I also have to park out side and its been dipping down into the teens lately. Let me know what you get and how it works out (and where the deals are james

[Whelan]

Like I said I used Duralast in the past with no problem. They have red and yellow top duralast ones. Not quite a Red top Optima. Those use 720 CCA. This Duralast runs at 500 which is well above the 320 and should do the job fine. Under $100 can't go wrong.http://www.autozone.com/select...p.htm

[jake75]

The Kirkland Battery I bought last October at Costco was 640 CCA , 100 mo warranty, with 3 yr full replacement. I think it was $54.49 with old battery. My research at the time indicated it was made by the same company that makes the Duralast. My recollection is that a similar Duralast at Autozone was $69.95. I would think Sam's Club would have something comparable. I wouldn't buy a battery at Sears Div. of K-Mart as I suspect the famous Diehard's are now made by the lowest bidder.Sam's and Antozone install free. Sears charges to install. Costco does not install.I got 5 years out of that OEM 320 CCA Delco - it was still working when I replaced it but I was convinced it could fail without notice. I will replace the Kirkland at 5 years too if both the Vibe and I are still around that long.

[Whelan]

Maybe I'll head to Costco with my mom this week and pick one up. Seeming as I do not belong to Costco. Can't beat that price!I can do the replacement myself, not hard. So your saying I can bring them my old battery and have the core fee waived??I don't mind the AC Delco but with Batteries I would rather be safe than sorry especially getting close to winter and having the mileage on the car and setting up for taking trips in the near future.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Maybe I'll head to Costco with my mom this week and pick one up. Seeming as I do not belong to Costco. Can't beat that price!I can do the replacement myself, not hard. So your saying I can bring them my old battery and have the core fee waived??I don't mind the AC Delco but with Batteries I would rather be safe than sorry especially getting close to winter and having the mileage on the car and setting up for taking trips in the near future. Yep, give'em a battery and they will wave the core... or pay the core, go out and install the batt in the parking lot and return it for the core.. lol.. either way..

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Maybe I'll head to Costco with my mom this week and pick one up. Seeming as I do not belong to Costco. Can't beat that price!I can do the replacement myself, not hard. So your saying I can bring them my old battery and have the core fee waived??I don't mind the AC Delco but with Batteries I would rather be safe than sorry especially getting close to winter and having the mileage on the car and setting up for taking trips in the near future. Last October was Oct 2007. I hope they have not gone up in price.

[rainvibe]

As if on queue, OEM died today. Costco unit is now 64.99. Still a good deal, and yes they waive the core fee when you bring the old with you. In fact, I just told 'em I had it with me (which I did). Just plopped it in the tire bay with all of the other dead units. Cranks way 'mo better now. Perfect fit too, no battery box mod needed

[jake75]

My guess is that the identical Auto zone Duralast is now $79.99. Of course they would have put it in for you.

[Whelan]

I don't need anyone at Autozone touching my car.I gotta get this in the next week figure.Funny thing is my gf's mothers Chrysler 300M died the other day from the battery.