My truck is a 2007 Dodge 5.9L Diesel. Which means that it was manufactured prior to January 1st of 2007. The batteries are original so they are about 8 years old. What is the estimated life of these batteries? I'm looking at replacing them with Interstate batteries. The truck only has about 67000 miles. Thoughts? Opinions?

Chances are you are on borrowed time, at least IMHO. That being said, the OEM batteries in our truck went 13 years before they started to show signs of definite age and slowing down. When the winter chills set in keep an ear on how fast your motor is spinning over. If and when you decide to change out the batteries make sure that you change them both out at the same time. You could also have them load tested at a competent auto shop and make a decision from there.Cheers!Mike

Have the same truck......replaced mine with Interstates last year.Cause I figured they finally needed to be changed and didn't want to 'find out' :B

I just changed out my pair of original batteries on my 2003 Dodge Cummins.Probably could have gotten another year or two but why take a chance. The reason I say that is I noticed no difference in voltage or how fast the engine turned over when the new batteries wher installed.Ron W.

I have have a 2006 Dodge cummins 70,000 miles. Original batteries. I've noticed a little build up lately around the battery posts. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet & replace them. Been lucky so far. Can't complain about how well they have held up.

They could go for much longer. I would re think Interstate based on people I know that were long time users. Sounds like they are not as good as they once were. I bought Interstate 6V from NAPA I did not want to wait until Costco opened. The Interstate are made in Mexico.I would buy from Costco. Great warranty most made by Johnson Controls and long lasting.

Original Batteries | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Nov 16, 2014
Fast Mopar wrote:
I will never go more than 5 years on a battery because there is no good reason to do that. Batteries are cheap and will fail. It is far too much hassle when they suddenly go bad and you are stranded, usually when the weather is bad. Batteries can crank fine and test out fine then fail the next week (it happened to me twice). I've never been a gambler.

I agree and do the same. Live threatening maybe if the batteries don't start the vehicle.

chevman
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
I replaced mine with OEM from the local Ram dealer! $99 ea. then a 10% discount on top of that $189 for the pair. Been about three years no issues.

That's actually a great deal and they are good batteries.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
I replaced my OE's with Motorcraft Max. Liked them enough to put one in the Toyota when it came due.

Dealer accepted 15% Costco discount.
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
I will never go more than 5 years on a battery because there is no good reason to do that. Batteries are cheap and will fail. It is far too much hassle when they suddenly go bad and you are stranded, usually when the weather is bad. Batteries can crank fine and test out fine then fail the next week (it happened to me twice). I've never been a gambler.
RamCougar
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
Over 10 yrs. on my 03 Ram's OEM batteries and they were still cranking fine when I replaced them. I think the reason these Ram batteries last so long is the high voltage these Alternators put out. Mine runs at 14.5 volts all the time except for the short time the intake grid heater is on. My trailer converter desulphation mode is 13.8 volts.
Bedlam
Moderator
Nov 15, 2014
About every five years on my Kawasaki, seven years on my Ford and 10 years on my VW. Off road vehicles seem to go three to four years before I have to replace them and RV batteries go over seven years.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 15, 2014
I replaced mine with OEM from the local Ram dealer! $99 ea. then a 10% discount on top of that $189 for the pair. Been about three years no issues.
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2014
Changed my late 2007 OE batteries two years ago. Not that they were bad, but there was no way I wanted to get stuck somewhere.
hermy
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014
I grew up in a time when 4 years was about what you would expect from an automotive battery. But my original batteries in my 04 Dodge seemed to be going strong after 11 years. I had them load tested a year or so ago and they tested just fine but I finally replaced them this summer mostly because I simply could not believe they would last forever and didn't want them to fail at an inopportune time. Interestingly, 2 of my buddies with 07 Dodges both had to change out this summer. BTW I bought my new ones from Costco- and guess what- they are Interstates.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2014
4 years