1500 Battery Life?

[seadoons]

My 2002 1/2 ton will be 3 years old in 2 weeks. It is cold here and every morning when I start it up it just doesn't sound as strong as it used to, kind of like the battery is weak. How long should the battery last? I have heard that if you run the battery down a lot it will shorten the life, but this battery has never been dead. Should I be pro-active and replace it? If so, what kind should I buy?

[asepgrad98]

have the battery load tested.

 

i suggest a Diehard or a Optima.

[Jet-X]

Yup, my 2002 will be 3 years old at the end of Feb. I'm going to replace the battery this up coming weekend. Based on my automotive experience, I replace batteries at 3 years or 25K miles. Batteries are unpredictable. I'm not the type to wait until it fails, which usually results in leaving you stranded. I consider it a PM (preventative maintenance) item.

 

That reminds me.... I need to get to the dealer to get a few things looked at, before my warranty runs out!

[potz1999]

I replaced mine when it was about three years old; it started acting weird. Got a spiral core from NAPA (made by Optima)...very good, minimum life on these is like 6 years.

[jhm]

Mine was only 2 years old when the pos terminal fell out. Dealer said it happens too often to count. He even admitted GM uses side terminals and that is why they fail. When I went into my garage all you could smell was that rotten battery acid. I ofered to replace it myself and bring the reciept in but he said warranty dont allow that, so out comes the flat bed to take the truck in....

[budhayes3]

I had 5 years on my original Delco battery when I replaced it with an Interstate as preventive maintenance. You should be able to get 5 years, but that isn't always the case. Seems like the AC Delco batteries are hit or miss.

[carguru]

Funny, I've had Delco batteries to run the gamut. The one in my 'vette lasted 6 months and the second one lasted 2 years. The one in my Impala will be 10 years old in a couple months. This thing is still going strong. I sold my last couple trucks after 5 years with the original batteries. So....

 

I have to agree that the side terminal thing is definitely the weak points on these batteries.

[az'03Silverado]

Ditch the Delco! One day you'll come out and the thing won't start and your pos battery cable will be hanging down with the terminal still attached and there will be sh** all over the place. I've had 4 like that (my folks Buick, my sister's Saturn, my other sister's Blazer and my old '98 S-10). Although, I live where it gets to be in the 110's in the summer, which doesn't help. But, I've found that DieHards last much longer and are far better in the heat. After fixing those other four cars, I got kind of tired of repainting battery trays.

[foghorn23]

Batteries are a hard item to figure. My dad has a 97 Ford F-150 that was put into service in March of 96 (Ford rolled out the 97's early that year, body style change) Anyway the battery is still in service and the truck started this morning @ 7 degrees. I know it sounds impossible, but it's true. I think he got his money's worth out of the original Motorcraft in that truck. However, I have to agree. Batteries usually decide to go dead in the most inconvenient places; its probably a good idea to replace a little more often than every 9 years.

 

As far as types go.... I'd agree either the Diehard or Optima.

 

vroten

[mcreyaufmiller]

I replaced the stock Delco after 5 years, it was still running strong, just replaced it because the post had proken and it was leaking acid on my frame. I replaced it with a Diehard, no problems, should have bought a Optima, I like those better.

[Stocklook]

On the sub of batteries what is the diff between the Optima and lead acid battery

 

pro's -con's, I don't mind spending the money for a good battery

[mcreyaufmiller]

The optima is a lead acid battery. The difference is the way the cells are made. The optima is a sprial cell batttery, instead of the traditional parrallel cells. The sprial cells produce more power and are more relaible. They were developed for the military. These batteries are used in aircraft, vehicles, etc. The batteries can be mounted upside down if need be. They are completely sealed and leak proof. Well worthe the moneyh.

[rdnkcpa]

I have a Prostart battery that I purchased from Pimp-Boys back in 1999. It is in a 1989 Mercury Station wagon. It cranks that old 5.0 with no problem. Best battery I've ever bought.

[mcreyaufmiller]

There are only a few makers of batteries in this country. most of the auto parts stores batteries are the same as the major brands, just private labeled.

[budhayes3]

I should have bought a Optima, I like those better.

 

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I feel the same way...went with an Interstate just because I always have, but after researching the Optima, I kinda wish that I got that one instead.