Getting a Battery

[AlohaBra]

I went to get a new battery for the Tribute (Escape) today.
OEM model is a 40R (Motorcraft size) which no one carries except the "Stealership".
Then, I discovered Optima batteries at Costco, which are made differently and are supposed to be far superior. The size that I used is the 75/35. It is rated at 720CCA instead of 570CCA like the 40R.
I changed the negative cable to a new one 2 inches longer (it was corrored anyway).
You will also need to "disconnect" the plastic "fir tree" for the positive harness so that it will reach the postive terminal. If you are willing to wait you can try and located the Optima model 35 which has the positive terminal and negative terminal closer to the edge and back corner.

Upon further review, I found that other sizes are available at Kragen's and Walmart for around 45-60 dollars. You just have to measure the battery and note the orientation of the battery terminals (they are a reverse). Get the one with the highest cold cranking amps (not just cranking amps).

[65comet]

It's a good idea to get a code holder when changing the battery. It is just a little device with a 9V battery that plugs into your cigarette lighter. It keeps all the codes and radio programming for you while the battery is disconnected. One of the recall's on my Escape was to reprogram something and I'm not sure if it would be lost if the battery change took any length of time. Maybe someone else could answer that.

[timd]

AutoZone carries a direct replacement battery.

[shadows]

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