[SDMatt]

Has anyone had any luck with these cheap Walmart batteries? The only reason I hesitate is the low CCA.

My 700 CCA battery is on its last leg, and it's only just over 3 years old. If these cheap ones are any good, and last two years I figure I'd be money ahead.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

As government employees say, "as long as it works".

What brand is your current battery? Is it an AGM battery or not?

 

[slimm1469]

From some recent experience, some car batteries die in under 3 years. As with any other part, it depends on how much mileage you put on them and how you use them. I wouldn't buy a cheap one.

 

[emeron]

Cheap batteries are great when you're getting ready to dump your car and want to say "new battery" in the ad, and that pretty much sums up their usefulness. I wouldn't put it in any vehicle that I depend on for getting places.

 

[BenzAccord]

Has anyone had any luck with these cheap Walmart batteries? The only reason I hesitate is the low CCA.

My 700 CCA battery is on its last leg, and it's only just over 3 years old. If these cheap ones are any good, and last two years I figure I'd be money ahead.


View attachment 529936

I bought 2 Honda accords new in 2015. My Honda batteries lasted 30 and 31 months before I got a no crank. My $49 Walmart 24F’s went 36 months and I cashed in my chips. They still cranked strong but I didn’t wait for them to die. They paid for themselves. I just installed new ones without ever having been stranded. I’ll do it again when these reach 36 months.

 

[qman]

No experience with low end Walmart batteries. I bought the low end Autozone battery once and won't ever do that again. Even though it was half price, it was about 10% worth a sh*t.

How do you figure you'd be ahead? Get the high end Walmart battery. Its the only battery with a 5 year warranty. Its no better than any other battery. Walmart just decided to go with a 5 year warranty. I was in there one day when they were changing the stickers on the batteries from 2 year warranties to 5 year warranties. The main reason I go with Wally is they're everywhere. Anything happens anywhere and you can get it taken care of.

 

[SDMatt]

No experience with low end Walmart batteries. I bought the low end Autozone battery once and won't ever do that again. Even though it was half price, it was about 10% worth a sh*t.

How do you figure you'd be ahead? Get the high end Walmart battery. Its the only battery with a 5 year warranty. Its no better than any other battery. Walmart just decided to go with a 5 year warranty. I was in there one day when they were changing the stickers on the batteries from 2 year warranties to 5 year warranties. The main reason I go with Wally is they're everywhere. Anything happens anywhere and you can get it taken care of.

I have the "high end" cheap Walmart one now. Website still shows a 3 year warranty on it. I just noticed today that my brake lights were stuck on. It's so bright here that I didn't notice. I figured my battery was a victim of Covid I've got it on the charger now hoping that it hasn't suffered sulfation.

 

[jackpine]

I use Costco batteries. They have good specs, don't cost too much and Costco takes returns on them, no questions asked, if they fail early. I would not spend the extra money (about twice as much) on an AGM battery that would probably not last any longer than the Lead Acid wet cell type.

- Jack

 

[SDMatt]

I use Costco batteries. They have good specs, don't cost too much and Costco takes returns on them, no questions asked, if they fail early. I would not spend the extra money (about twice as much) on an AGM battery that would probably not last any longer than the Lead Acid wet cell type.

- Jack

I've got my eye on a Costco battery. Website has them listed at $100. I only hesitate because I'm considering ditching my membership.

 

[Browngem]

Get the Walmart 3 year warranty one, and then go to Harbor Freight and get a jump starter pack for $60. Then you dont have to worry about it

 

[qman]

I've got it on the charger now hoping that it hasn't suffered sulfation.

I read this in a battery article once. No idea if there's any truth to it but I do it all the time.

Tap you battery with a rubber mallet on all 4 sides. This can knock the sulfation off the plates and knock down the build up if there is any. I do it all the time and batteries seem to last longer than they used to. I know it's anecdotal at best but it doesn't cost anything.

 

[SDMatt]

I read this in a battery article once. No idea if there's any truth to it but I do it all the time.

Tap you battery with a rubber mallet on all 4 sides. This can knock the sulfation off the plates and knock down the build up if there is any. I do it all the time and batteries seem to last longer than they used to. I know it's anecdotal at best but it doesn't cost anything.

I'll give it a whirl.. won't cost nothing but my time. Thanks!

 

[bcgreen]

I have a value power brand battery from Walmart in my 2.3l Accord from March 2019. Still working without a problem and I used this car for delivery driving. Lots of starting and city driving. It was about $50 and I believe rated as a one year battery. It's been a good purchase.

The V6 Accord has a EverStart Max battery September 2018. Also has given me no problems. It has a higher CCA and I believe was closer to $120.

I don't know what those same batteries would cost today but I'm sure it's gone up like everything else has.

 

[Browngem]

Mine was 119 at wallyworld, 3 year warrenty one just 2 weeks ago, it was dated 4/21 . Even if it only lasts 4 years it's worth it. Buy I allways keep a jump starter pack in the trunk.

 

[VFR4Lee]

Yes on the jump start pack in the trunk.
Ours seem to hold a charge almost forever.
If you need to jump start a vehicle it is easy.
No more wandering the parking lot looking for someone to give you a jump start.
Plus the things are smaller than old school jumper cables.
And, you can usually also use it to charge your phone or other devices if you need to. Win.

 

[17TouringCoupe]

I’ve read there’s about a half dozen or less automotive led acid wet cell battery manufactures and from there it’s who’s sticker is on the case.
I’ve bought all of my batteries from Bi-Mart for several decades. Now they only warranty them for a couple year (replacement), although previously they had prorated warranties up to 84 months. I’d estimate about 10% of my Bi-Mart batteries were returned dead (not taking a charge) during the prorated warranty period (I usually have about 5 or 6 vehicles at any given time). The other 90% went beyond with no trouble.

I suspect that manufacture’s continue to make goods less durable, on purpose for the opportunity to sell another one just out of warranty. Plus, there’s enough customers that you can screw a new one every day and never get back to the first one, so repeat customers really aren’t a concern.

Of the two new Honda batteries (not counting the one that was in a totaled new car) I’ve had, one died prior to 3 years (so far, the other one is about 39 months old). After the Honda dealer summoned the gods, played with a fancy tester or or two, squinted at the results in disbelief and Bluetoothed and emailed it to the president (someone anyhow), they replaced my battery and I only had to redo all four fasteners correctly when I got it home.

I’d buy a 3 year off brand battery over a Honda battery with less thought than I’d give buying a tank of gas. In fact, I’d use the cost difference to buy that tank of gas.