How long have your factory batteries lasted?

[DConrad]

I lied. I was under the hood tonight and noted that the date stamps were scratched out for September of '99. So it was 13 years, 3 months. I'll take it still. Sorry about posting to a 3rd gen forum. I was key word searching for "optima" when I stumbled on this thread and didn't pay attention to it's origin.

 

[RVTRKN]

I use Optima batteries in my Boat and RV, and like them, but the cost of optima batteries in an automotive application doesn't warrant the higher prices paid for the duration of the standard batteries. $90. 00 x 2 vrs $250. 00 x 2 is ridiculous, I can buy 3 sets for the price of one set of optima's. They work great for a boat or RV, due to the duration of use normally being longer between charging, but most importantly in my case, my RV's are stored in the desert and will dry out a standard battery. I know lots of people that use them and like them in their CTD, but I will stick to a standard lead cell battery due to costs.

 

[RMachida]

I was thinking that it may be time to replace the batteries in my 2005 but last Saturday it was -45F and with it plugged in for only about 6 hours, it cranked and started up just fine. So maybe I'll put it off for another year or two. I'm impressed with whatever the OEM batteries are.

 

[JLandry]

Just tonight I noticed the little inspection window on one of the two original Mopar batteries in my truck is dark. The one on the other battery is still bright green (i. e. : normal). Both have been connected to a Battery Tender for a couple of days now, so they definitely have an adequate charge.



After almost 12 years and 155,000 miles, I guess it's finally time to replace them before it's too late. So I just pulled the trigger on an order for two OEM Mopar series 84 replacements online from MoparPartsAmerica for a paltry $91. 62 + about $15 shipping each. They're backed by any Dodge dealer, come with a 7 year / 84 month prorated warranty, a 24 month full replacement warranty, and roadside assistance.



Here's hoping for another 12 years!



John L.

 

[Freebore]

I got a code about 2 weeks ago (P2509) which pointed to either poor connections, battery, or fan if I recall so checked out the fan, cleaned the grounds and all wiring connections but still had few flashes of the code. Went to Sears and got a pair of the group 65 Platinum Diehards and no more code. Platinums were expensive but were a noticeable improvement over the old batteries which were just over 6 years old.

 

[JohnsonG]

10 years original batteries, 298K, all in New Mexico, 120 mile round trip every weekday,

 

[navyjoe]

8 years 1 month 73,000 miles on my 06 3500. The factory batteries apparently are very good quality based on the reports in this post. I may replace them this winter with OEMs .

 

[Prairie Dog]

Keep in mind that just because you buy them at the dealer, they aren't necessarily OEM. It not likely they ship them all the way form the factory - more likely they buy them local and mark them up.

 

[Grizzly]

My original batteries lasted nine years.

 

[seafish]

Keep in mind that just because you buy them at the dealer, they aren't necessarily OEM. It not likely they ship them all the way form the factory - more likely they buy them local and mark them up.

Too true...plus there is NO telling if Chrysler changed oem battery suppliers in the meantime.

 

[chip61]

I replaced the original batteries in my 07 last November. 6 yrs 160k miles. They never stranded me but if the heater grid cycled they weren't very happy. Thought I better replace them before they let me down.

 

[ceastmen]

I'm sure this will be the kiss of death for me, I have the original batteries from 2001.
The truck starts great and has spent a few Colorado winters outside while we built our house.

 

[prmizeski]

91,000 miles, original batteries, purchased in September 2005.

 

[jgillott]

04.5 original batteries ~340K.

'07 original batteries ~ 80K.

I really want to replace them in both trucks before winter. But, since the '04.5 does nothing but plow snow now, I may put the new batteries in the '07 and put the original ones from there in the 04.5. It wouldn't be a big deal if we had to throw the charger on the plow truck at some point.

 

[gtobey]

I just felt uncertain how long these things should last, so I bit the bullet and got two new Duracell AGM Group 65 batteries from Sams Club. Thought about Optima, DieHards, Interstate, and the like. Ultimately the AGMs for $159 including a 3 year direct replacement enticed me enough to opt for them.

Knowing how important ground wires are to computer circuitry, I had always kept my battery cables clean and protected with CRC spray cleaner and protectant. 9 years and 108,000 miles on a set of batteries to me is long enough. I read that others have gone longer, and I have a close friend with an '05, and he is still going. However, when I changed them out, I noticed that there is a lot more cranking speed back in the starter! It hits much quicker, and sounds as if it slows down in order to idle. There are other advantages as well! The alternator apparently does not get hit so hard to maintain voltage when the grid heaters cycle. When the intake grid heater cycles, headlights dim less, the wipers do not slow down as much, and the volt meter doesn't drop down near to the 12V line. It's a win win situation. Less load on the alternator, and better speed on the starter which will mean better life for the brushes and armature!

I have not had my old units tested yet, and currently have them in the garage hooked up to individual battery tender plus's so I can then have them tested to see if they are bad soon.

 

[bigblock_doc]

Well, my 2012 didn't start last Tuesday. The wait to start light was not staying on very long, even when the temps were
down to 15. The passenger side battery had 11 volts and died when hit with a load checker. The left side was still good.
All the Sam's in my area were sold out. Had to go to O'rielly and get there brand. Stuck between a rock and a hard place
as I had to leave the next morning for KC.

 

[yunk]

I changed out my original batteries in April and they still seemed fine after 11yrs can't complain

 

[yunk]

failed to mention 2003 SBQC

 

[Crunch]

Keep in mind that just because you buy them at the dealer, they aren't necessarily OEM. It not likely they ship them all the way form the factory - more likely they buy them local and mark them up.

I may be about to find that out. My original batteries lasted almost 9 years. I went to the dealer for replacement batteries because I thought that the OEMs had to be superior to last that long. That was 11/2011. Now my truck isn't holding a charge after cold nights, and it has to be the batteries or the cables. The replacements have the numbers BB065800 and 1083001 on the receipt. I'm having the dealer where I bought them run a test on these batteries, and if they are bad I won't be replacing them with the same ones. I've had no-name batteries last longer than 3 years.

 

[spin05]

I just replaced mine with 2 Car quest batteries. It was a 04 with 70,000 miles