Battery Life

[DonSor]

My '99 Ford Ranger 4.0l with 125K miles has had the same battery since I bought the car used in 2003. It has a Motocraft Battery which is normally used as Ford OEM. I am not experiencing any battery problems at this point but even if the battery was replaced at the time I bought the truck in '03, that's still almost 8 years ago. There's also the probability that this battery was the original factory installed but nonetheless, would it be prudent to go ahead and replace this battery now although it's still working good. Open circuit voltage is 12 and maintains 13 volts while driving.

[jdl]

Usually if it isn't broke, I don't fix it, but, your right, the battery is long in the tooth. It's your money, your decision. If the vehicle loses battery voltage, on some makes and models, it can affect security systems, where applicable. Idle issues can be affected if battery voltage is lost, till the system relearns.

With engine running, the alternator should carry the load.

[Franco2112]

Nice service on the battery. Use it until you can't use it no more!
Franco

[inafogg]

i agree if it is'nt broke.who will be doing the work??if its you & your not planning
on going away for the xmass holidays then ok.if you plan on going out then it
might be wise to replace now.dont see a cold night being a problem in SD

[Scrapper]

i got a 7 year duralast in s-10 it came with the truck and in these 7 year i've owned it and still going strong. i'd have to look when they put the battery in? also it has only a 2 year replacement i know i did read that.

[toddler62]

If your planning on keeping your truck. I'd replace a 7 year old battery, That is unless you like the idea of getting stranded on probably a real cold or hot day

[MagicRat]

Obviously a weak battery has an easy life in warm temps like San Diego. Cold weather easily renders a weak battery useless.

I have found some OEM batteries last a long time. My dad's '99 Chrysler is still running on the factory original Mopar battery.

But this is the exception. Most batteries are done after 5 years or so. Its' possible your battery may start your truck fine, but the age has reduced its useful reserve capacity. So, it might fail if your truck is hard-to-start one day, or you use an accessory, like a radio for a length of time, without the engine running.

It may be an idea to load-test the battery and see how the output and voltage drop under load compare to a new battery. If its close, you are probably okay. But if its weak, get a new one.

[DonSor]

Only load test I did was to measure the battery voltage while cranking the engine (fuel pump trip switch off) for 12 seconds. Ball park is it should read not less than 9 volts while doing this. Min read slightly above 10 volts. Nonetheless, it would be prudent on my part to just go ahead and replace the battery. After all it gets down to 46 degrees in San Diego during winter months.

[Scrapper]

no and i wont replace it until it's dead dead. it's inj a little 4 popper 2.5 and it's went threw 20 and 30 below with the wind chill so no not in the warmest states like indiana. and it's not a vacation truck. where would you by one rual/king? and what kind would you buy? don't say sears sucker die hard there junk to the first time i bought one it was bad they even done elct. check on it and sure enough it was the die junk was bad. just replying to what i red from toddler.

[lectraplayer]

I know that I founs out one Alabama September morning that they will fail you in the most unlikely manner at times. After flawlessly starting up, I managed to get several minutes down the road averaging 50 mph before having to pull off and shut down due to a stuck thermostat. It would not start back up. If you do nothing else, get a battery and have it in your truck.

[DonSor]

I ended up getting a new battery and a new alternator. I don't think it's a good idea to keep a battery way past its warranty period. In my opinion, as the battery wears out (based on its designed cycle), the alternator need to operate at its max design amps continuously to keep the battery charged. Without an ammeter to monitor charging rate, and the vehicle having no problem starting, there is no way to determine the true state of the battery and the charging system. My point? I had a 72-month battery. If I had replaced it shortly thereafter instead of 8 years, I wouldn't have needed to replace my alternator and saved 250 bucks.

[Scrapper]

i dtill say duralast battery is what you need i think there the battery made.

[KnobbyTires]

Originally Posted by DonSor

. Open circuit voltage is 12 and maintains 13 volts while driving.

Open circuit voltage on a good working battery is closer to 13.2V @ 2.2V per cell. I got 7 years out of mine before I sold it, and I've never had to use distilled water. You are pushing it with only 12V, open circuit. It's trying to warn you.

It may last through the good times, but if you want to last through cold, heat, jump starts, and long cranks, it's time to not take any long trips or get another battery.

By the way, I went to aircraft mechanic school and still prefer to grease up my battery posts and cable ends. That may contribute to longevity. It's never contributed to short battery life. That way you can toss the little green and red felt rings...

[brcidd]

New batteries (4 month old) are only $20 at my local boneyard...I couldn't believe it- I was expecting a 2 or 3 year old one, and he comes out with one with a 10/10 sticker on it....To me, that's brand new...always good to check what they got...New cars and even old cars with new batteries get wrecked every day...somewhere.