I know there have been discussions on this topic and there are a couple going on now, but they are talking way above me head. I have a dodge diesel that is just the tiniest bit sluggish in starting. I think one of the batteries is getting weak. I am taking it in to have it tested and if I have a weak battery I will replace both batteries. Question is, who has had issues with what battery brands? Currently I have Mopar batteries (original, came with the truck 9 years ago). Common sense would tell me that if they lasted 9 years I should put new ones of the same brand in for another 9 years. I can't find them where we live. And, I know from past experiences that what was good 9 years ago maybe isn't so good now. Also I have added the 5er to the mix. That may put more demand on the batteries. I usually don't look around, I just go buy Die Hard but they want some big bucks for those truck sizes. Any good/bad ones to stay away from?

Your Cummins ECM looks for a minimum eng RPM before it will allow the injection system to work and fire the eng. So it's very possible that tired batteries will slow down how fast it starts. However, the other thing that can cause this is weak and leaking injectors. If that's the case then it will get worse and you'll generally notice it's using a lot more fuel.But keep in mind that the ECM has to see acceptable inputs form all the eng sensors before it will start. So if the eng stops in a particular spot it may need to trun a bit more to get all those readings.Nine years is good for OEM batteries, I would replace them no matter what. Better to do it now than be left sitting someplace.Good luck,Scott

I replaced my OEM's about 16 months ago with Die Hard's. IIRC they had the highest free replacement time period which is 5 years I believe. A bit higher CCA also than the OEM. I did price the OEM at the dealer but they wanted more money than Sears did :H Heck 9 years is pretty darn good. I couldn't test my luck in winter so I replaced at the 7 year mark. I believe there is only 3 manufactures that make batteries in the USA.

Battery performance is all over the map depending on where it's from. Die Hard's generally have a good reputation, but it depends on where they're from. CR tests batteries every year and they test Die Hard's from northern regions and southern regions as they're actually different batteries and yield different results. Some people like the Costco and Wal Mart batteries, some don't.

Still getting great mileage, As much as 24 on the highway at 63mph. 21.4 average in the local mountain areas. I will get them tested tomorrow and probably will replace them regardless. We have a long trip coming up, coast to coast.

mountainsam wrote:I know there have been discussions on this topic and there are a couple going on now, but they are talking way above me head. I have a dodge diesel that is just the tiniest bit sluggish in starting. I think one of the batteries is getting weak. I am taking it in to have it tested and if I have a weak battery I will replace both batteries. Question is, who has had issues with what battery brands? Currently I have Mopar batteries (original, came with the truck 9 years ago). Common sense would tell me that if they lasted 9 years I should put new ones of the same brand in for another 9 years. I can't find them where we live. And, I know from past experiences that what was good 9 years ago maybe isn't so good now. Also I have added the 5er to the mix. That may put more demand on the batteries. I usually don't look around, I just go buy Die Hard but they want some big bucks for those truck sizes. Any good/bad ones to stay away from?Tiniest bit sluggish can become a 'no start' condition quickly. Found that out two years ago with a pair of Interstates under the hood of my '05 3500 diesel. They started acting sluggish on the way home from Arkansas. One week later, the truck was dead in the driveway. The Interstates were only 50 months into their 75 month rated life. Spent over $240 for them, replaced with a pair of Exides. I have no battery recommendation, I question whether any of 'em last a long time, at least the aftermarket offerings.

Tow Vehical Batteries | Good Sam Community

45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014
Redsky wrote:
I don't expect any battery to last more than 7 years and I expect them to last only 5. I buy Interstate batteries from my local NAPA store to keep my money in the local economy. If I have a problem with the battery while under warranty it is easy to find another Interstate battery dealer to take care of it.

I bought Sears batteries at one time but their warranty is so short compared to the Interstate or any other brand that I stopped buying them. I check their warranty period and prices each time I shop for a battery and for the last 10 years theirs come up short. The customer complaints regarding their batteries has also increased greatly over the years. Sears seems to be exploiting the Die Hard brand and putting it on cheaper batteries.

Just another ignorant post without a proven link. Your good at that, no link.
Please give us the Interstate free warranty replacement period link.
Next maybe a Die Hard again. I see it's now 3 years but it was 5 a couple of years ago.
Let me get this straight.
You hate Wally world and now Sears. What's next Camping World :E
ID10T is your middle name I suppose.
deltabravo
Nomad
Mar 16, 2014
Diehard Platinum is what I vote for.
Redsky
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
I don't expect any battery to last more than 7 years and I expect them to last only 5. I buy Interstate batteries from my local NAPA store to keep my money in the local economy. If I have a problem with the battery while under warranty it is easy to find another Interstate battery dealer to take care of it.

I bought Sears batteries at one time but their warranty is so short compared to the Interstate or any other brand that I stopped buying them. I check their warranty period and prices each time I shop for a battery and for the last 10 years theirs come up short. The customer complaints regarding their batteries has also increased greatly over the years. Sears seems to be exploiting the Die Hard brand and putting it on cheaper batteries.
glazier
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2014
I have always bought Interstate, just put 2 in my truck last fall. I have no particular reason why I buy them, they work so I just keep buying them.
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Had the batteries tested yesterday. Both indicated bad. So I ended up with the Die Hards. Thanks for all the input. I forgot how fast this diesel will turnover. They must have been growing weak for a while. The Die Hards run 144 each but I got 45dollars worth of point towards the new drill press I have been wanting.
jmckelvy
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
I've had good luck over the years with Autozone batteries. I just replaced my OEM dually batteries with two Autozone Grp 65 AGMs, only slightly more than the gold tops.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2014
My Son is disgusted with his Interstate's in his 98 24V. I have had red top Optima's in my 98 12V and previous RV had blue tops. I did not like either and they were pricy Costco took them back and ended up with their batteries and they have been great.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2014
Fast Mopar wrote:
Just my opinion, but 9 years is far too long to wait. It is great that they lasted so long, but I would rather replace at 5-6 years rather than be concerned about being stranded somewhere.

...and they always quit at the most inconvenient times, don't they?
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
I think you are right on the mark there Fast Mopar. I am lucky they haven't taken a dump before now.
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 11, 2014
Thanks Maxwell. As a matter of fact I have a son that is an engineer for Johnson Controls in the Kansas City area. Had no idea they made batteries. And USA made at that. I will be checking in to Duralast.

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