How long have your factory batteries lasted?

[JordanB]

I have 66,000 miles on my '06 and I don't feel like getting stranded somewhere. I know battery life varies wildly with actual use but I'm wondering how long most of your factory batteries lasted.



Mine's a daily driver, 30 miles to work one-way, short trips during the day a couple of times a week. I don't drive too much on the weekends.



I'm thinking of Optima batteries. Any opinions or experiences? I know they just did a write-up on these in the last issue of TDR but I just wanted more opinions.

 

[mweiman]

I just took the originals out of my 01 this fall, they still started the truck fine but were starting to make a mess spitting acid out. I have seen lots of other write ups about members getting similiar life out of their batteries. I put in carquest batteries but I wish I would have went with the optimas to avoid the acid spilling.

 

[rscurtis]

My '03, built in Jan. '03, still has the originals and they show no sign of diminished capacity. 54K miles.

 

[13MWZ]

My 06 with 115k miles just crapped out on me for good yesterday. I'd been nursing them along with the charger for a couple months, but they finaly went twards the light.

 

[wyosteve]

I don't know about the factory originals, but I took the Optimas out of my '01 when I traded it for the '04 and put them in the '04. The Optimas were in the '01 for about 2 years and now going on 6 in the '04.

 

[JordanB]

Is there any way of testing the the true condition of the batteries? I know mine are holding a charge and acid isn't coming out, but at some point they have to give up the ghost. I've got jumper cables so I'm good to go when they crap out, but it never hurts to do preventative maintenance.

 

[FourBarR]

my 98. 5 original batteries lasted 4 yearssecond set 5 years, on third set now 2 years old. truck has 515000 kms or about 321,000k. still has original vp-44,and injectors.

 

[STEVEBROOKS]

My '03 (built Oct '02, 108,000 miles) still has the originals.

 

[p-Bar]

04. 5 with 98k mi manf date 01. 04 so 6 yrs, I am in So. Cal. so grid heaters don't get used much

 

[Newf Limo]

7 years on my 01 built in Jan 00.



CarQuest replacements, BIG mistake!

 

[mxaaron]

I just changed the originals out of my 01 last month, with 104k on them.

 

[Mark31]

My 04 with 83k has clean, dry originals that still spin the starter with plenty "whoopee"!

 

[JLandry]

Still on the original excellent-condition Mopar batteries on my 2001 with ~110,000 miles.

I keep a Battery Tender Plus charger hooked up to mine when not driving the truck for more than about a week... especially in winter.

When mine finally give out (no sign of that happening yet), I'm going to replace them with either Sears Di-Hard Gold or Odyssey.

John L.

 

[johnmoore]

02 bought new June 02, have 177,000 miles on original batteries. No sign of them getting weak. Hope I haven't jinxed myself saying this.

 

[rbattelle]

My '03, built in Jan. '03, still has the originals and they show no sign of diminished capacity. 54K miles.

My '03 (built Oct '02, 108,000 miles) still has the originals.

My '03, built February 28, 2003, still has the originals. Both still show a good "little green eye", too.

Is there any way of testing the the true condition of the batteries?

My suggestion would be to take them to Autozone or Advance where they have a battery tester. It's free, so how can it hurt?



Technically, I think the best way to test them is to chemically check the electrolyte. But to do so you'd have to pry up the "do not remove this cover" covers.



I've done no maintenance to my batteries over the years (other than the occasional cleaning, which is for asthetics), but they've not leaked a single drop of acid nor shown any signs of being weak.



However, caution is prudent, since it seems like modern batteries go from "normal" to "completely dead" literally overnight.



BTW, this thread would work good as a poll!



Ryan

 

[whamby]

My original batteries lasted 5. 5 years and 220,000 miles

 

[Mobius1]

About 67k on my origional on my 2005, Still seems to be running strong

 

[Regcabguy]

Is there any way of testing the the true condition of the batteries? I know mine are holding a charge and acid isn't coming out, but at some point they have to give up the ghost. I've got jumper cables so I'm good to go when they crap out, but it never hurts to do preventative maintenance.

Kragen ,Autozone,Reilly's etc. should still be doing free load tests. Batteries stay in the vehicle and they perform this test analyzing their condition.

 

[JordanB]

I really appreciate all of the replies! Sounds as though the factory batteries have been pretty decent. I guess I'll keep on truckin'!

I'm guessing the moderator is the one that sets up the polls, otherwise you'll have to talk me through it!

 

[DaveHess]

My '03. 5 built 4/03 still on the original Mother Mopar batteries and 55,500 on the clock!