OEM Battery Life. How are yours?

[Gordon Maney]

Do the Optima Red Tops last about the same length of time as the OEM battery, or do they last longer?

 

[dalton4]

About five years for me. They never failed to crank the engine, but the crank over speed had become weaker.

 

[lschultz]

My sons 99 still has the original batteries. He just had to replace the lift pump(150000). I told him he best put the charger on them after trying to start it so much. So far so good. But you know what happens when you start bragging on something. But this is not a brag just a statement

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by Gordon Maney

Do the Optima Red Tops last about the same length of time as the OEM battery, or do they last longer?

The Redtop warranty is 3 years free replacement and 7 years prorated, longer than most other batteries. Redtops for sure last longer in hot desert areas and longer than so called "maintenance free" batteries that can go low on water and are difficult to refill.

Main reason I'll pay the extra price for them is the lack of cable corrosion and paint damaging leakage.

 

[BigMike]

4 years and 74,000 miles on my OEM's and no sign yet of weakness. I want to replace them before I start having problems. Can they be tested?

 

[MLee]

how long did yous last?

mine lasted, was replaced @ 71/2 years, they still had some life but time was a question. it is very important to clean the terminals at least every six months. and as was stated in the TDR Mag. , the water level, must be kept up. i had the white case on mine and could see the water level, drilled small holes in cap and replaced water that had gone by-by, with distilled water.



Marv.

 

[csevers]

Anybody know what the Optima's weigh? Lighter than Oem batterys and if so by how much? My truck is over weight and needs to lose some weight, and little things add up where ever possible.



Thanks

Craig

 

[Peter Campbell]

Mine lasted 4 years. This is the weird part. I had that hunting torque converter for a while. Dealer and regional rep spent 40 hours on troubleshooting. When the batteries failed and were replaced the problem went away! - The lead may have been cracked inside causing the electrical noise. Don't know for sure and don't care.

 

[Michael Hughes]

I still have OEM batteries in my truck.

112,xxx miles and going strong.

 

[wyosteve]

My oem's are 3. 5 yrs old now and seem to be taking longer to come up to charge and dip quite low when the grid heaters kick on. Just ordered Optima Red Top's from Summit. Can't beat their deal right now.

 

[carson6]

4.5 year's...

. . after running out of fuel and bleeding my injector's(cold start's)hurt the twin's

 

[csevers]

I new it was a good deal but

I checked at a local Farm & Fleet aka Mens Mall and they want $109. 00 for the top and side post redtop model, so that is a very good price with out a doubt.



Craig

 

[Crash_AF]

The top post Optima weighs 37. 9 lbs and the top and side post weighs 38. 8 lbs.



And if anyone's curious, the yellow top weighs 43. 8 lbs.



Later,

Joe H

 

[rashwor]

Still have OEMs...

In my '99, purchased in May of '99, built in March of '99. No problems... keep the posts and cables clean. I am not bragging, but this is the longest I have ever run a OEM battery.



(OK, please start when I leave work this afternoon (tapping wood, uhhh I mean head))

 

[24V-DSL]

Bombed mine with Red Tops when I got a deal at $85 ea. a couple of years ago. I hate battery post corrosion.

 

[JOE911]

Still good after 5 years

 

[Snow man]

I just cranked my truck for 15 seconds cold,to prime the new turbos . The batterys dodnt do well at all,its time for new ones. John

 

[Idaho Native]

99 built in Sep 98 -- delivered Nov 98. Original batteries. Slow crank on cold mornings last two days. Optima Red Tops from Summit for $85 a piece on the way!