Mother needs a car battery

[razel]

Pontiac Vibe uses a small Toyota Corolla engine so no surprise that the battery lasted 10 years. My weekend ride uses the same engine and it's Panasonic battery from 2002 lasted until 2009. It was not treated/maintained well either until it's last two years. Back then I tried hard to buy another, but it's only available in Japan. I settled for Interstate mainly because I'm familiar with the shop where I buy my batteries at and I didn't want to chance not being able to start my car by driving around shopping anymore.

I'd do the same and find out what that old battery was and buy another exactly like it. If not as others have stated, Costco batteries (by Johnson Controls) and Interstate are what I look for. If worse comes to worse she can go to Walmart and buy the Maxx (most are made by Johnson Controls, it'll often say so right on the label). If she gets one with the top terminals then she'll need to buy the felt covers ($3-$4) for the terminals. It vents too easily causing the positive terminal to have goop surrounding it, but the batteries themselves work fine.

 

[thomsbrain]

Step 1:
If your mom doesn't already have a AAA roadside membership, she should get one (or you should get one for her).
Step 2:
Call AAA and ask them to deliver and install a new battery. They'll do so for only the cost of the battery. She doesn't even have to leave the house.
Step 3:
Everyone sleeps well.

 

[LTC8K6]

AAA Battery Service

AAA Battery Service is a mobile battery testing and replacement service. In areas where the service is available, a AAA Battery Service technician will test and assess the vehicle’s battery and charging system. If the existing battery fails the test and the member would like to have the battery replaced, the technician will install a new battery, if available, that meets or exceeds the vehicle’s original specifications. If the member purchases a battery, the service call will not count as one of the member’s four entitled service calls per membership year. All batteries come with a 72 month limited warranty with a 36 month free replacement period valid in the U.S. and Canada. AAA Battery Service is generally provided by independent contractors and is only available in select areas, during select hours. Batteries and battery warranties are provided by independent suppliers. Batteries are available for most makes and models. Battery prices vary depending on vehicle make and model. Copies of the warranties are available for inspection from the technician at any time upon request. Membership Roadside Assistance terms and conditions apply.

 

[unokitty]

My mother's car is ten years old and she's been unable to get it to started a couple times, needing to get it jumped. She thinks she needs a new battery but she knows absolutely nothing about the specs, brands and stuff (nor do I) and the auto repair salesmen will look at her like an easy mark.

Any car nuts out there that know a good value? She drives a decade old Pontiac Vibe and doesn't have very much money.

When the wife, or I, need a new car battery, we jump the car and I drive to the local autoparts store. Autozone in my case.

I plan to get there 15 minutes after they open. I park right in front of the store.

I tell them that I think that I need a new battery. They bring the existing battery into the store, run a test, and then agree that I need a new battery.

I ask they what they have. They give me a choice of several batteries with warranties that last from 12 to 48 months.

I generally buy one that is one level lower than their best... (I don't like buying batteries so I try to get at least 48 months of warranty.)

They install it. I chat with the counter man while he does it. I offer them a couple of bucks afterwards -- they generally turn that down.

I pay, if I remember correctly, between $75 and $100 for the battery.

And I'm home before my wife has finished her second cup of coffee...

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[Sonikku]

Thanks for all the help everyone, the $40 off $100+ order at auto zone will work like a charm. Amazing deal. That they replace and install it for free is a nice bonus.

 

[tortillasoup]

Thanks for all the help everyone, the $40 off $100+ order at auto zone will work like a charm. Amazing deal. That they replace and install it for free is a nice bonus.

how were you able to get $40 off a $100 order for a car battery at autozone? i couldn't find this anywhere...

 

[lsd]

how were you able to get $40 off a $100 order for a car battery at autozone? i couldn't find this anywhere...

Maybe they mean advanced auto? Advanced always has a 40 off 100 promo code.

 

[tortillasoup]

You're probably right. Just tried shopping for a battery there, after the $40 off promo, the battery is similar price to what I can get at other stores w/o discount.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Duracell and Eveready make some good batteries!!

 

[tortillasoup]

Duracell and Eveready make some good batteries!!

I'd rather go by consumer reports which actually has tested batteries to see which are good or bad. Apparently sticking with one brand is a waste of time and instead, go strictly by which specific model battery tests well. For example, the top rated battery in the 51R form factor is an Interstate battery while in the 24F form factor, it's an Everstart Maxx 24FN (North).

 

[BUTCH1]

I'd rather go by consumer reports which actually has tested batteries to see which are good or bad. Apparently sticking with one brand is a waste of time and instead, go strictly by which specific model battery tests well. For example, the top rated battery in the 51R form factor is an Interstate battery while in the 24F form factor, it's an Everstart Maxx 24FN (North).

I'll say one thing, Wal-mart will stand behind their batteries. Mine was cranking slow, was just a month from being out of warranty and it was replaced for free. It is unfortunate that car makers have decided to make the battery smaller in modern cars while at the same time fill them with options that gobble juice. Even my AC-Delco battery that came with the car did not last the 3-year mark and GM paid for that one as well. The FL heat puts a beating on them as well.

 

[LOCO LAPTOP]

I only good luck with:

1. Interstates Megatron MT-65 (I can't tell you how many times I got this battery voltage low enough that it wouldn't have enough power to crack and it still lives to this day 4 years later, it replaced the last one that was on the truck from 9 years ago)
2. Motorcraft Tough MAX (Most of those lasted 5-6 years.)
3. AutoCraft Gold Battery (3 years, but sold the car with it.)

Walmart and Duralast batteries, I didn't really have good luck with but easy to return and get a new one for free. Keep in mind I live in South Florida and heat kills batteries in no time.

 

[bryanl]

I'm sorry, "cold crank"?

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is the number of amps a battery supposedly can put out at 0F (-18C) for 30 seconds, without dropping too much in voltage. CCA typically ranges from 400-900 amps, and starter motors generally need half that much. Some batteries are instead specified by Cranking Amps (CA, measured at 32F) ) and Hot Cranking Amps (HCA, measured at 80F), but those numbers are just CCA inflated by 20%.

Walmart does stand behind its battery warranties, provided they're not confused by them, Many warranties provide 100% during the first 2-3 years and proportional coverage after that. I had a 3 years full/9 years proportional warranty on a battery that failed in year 4, but coverage on new batteries was reduced to 3/5, and Walmart wanted to charge me 4/5 the price of a new battery rather than the correct 4/9.