Battery life

[corm]

Hi,

looking at current weather circumstances, I am little curious regarding my battery - I have 6 years old vehicle with 86k on the clock, so it sounds to me that is just about time to change the battery?

Can somebody advise?

Thanks

[scotty84]

I know of 3 people in last 2 days that has had to purchase a new battery. There cars are 4-8 years old. Might be worth buying one to be sure, I always have a spare one in the garage.

[luke4487]

As said... a battery loses performance with age. All comes down to the CCA value (cold cranking amps) which determines the power a battery can hold over time or something along those lines. Basically it determines how long the battery will hold power vs the amount of time you source power without the engine running... and also how much power the battery can give out depending on the temperature...

We got a brand new battery for my wifes car and it failed to turn over the car at -15 less than a week old because it was a 'cheap' one and the CCA value was at the lowest needed for the engine size...

Better to get one while your still safe and don't opt for a cheap one as the next cold snap will prove that you have wasted your pennies. Worth splashing out for a decent brand like VARTA who offer 5 year guarantees and only cost 20 quid on a halfords one

[scotty84]

Thats what the AA guy said to me mate, that it was due to the cold crank failing. starting it in cold weather to many times for short journeys (below 20-30mins) can cause this to kill your battery in freezing weather or summit like that lol. anyway a good quality battery and its all good

[Tony W]

Changed the GM Battery fitted to the car from new (55reg Facelift) petrol Z18XE last January....problems starting...The green indicator showed it to be in good condition...
Battery drain suspected due to accessory problem...but nothing found...Changed it for a slightly more powerful Banner Bull...no problems - so far - in these extremely cold temperatures...-8 to -10 seen on the temperature gauge on start-up..(I used Planet 5W/30 GM spec LL oil
for last service in November )

Cheers

[Leemarksmith]

Think this may be the issue with mine...

So any links to decent batteries lads

[Das]

Dealers mate, about the same as the motor factors and Vx give you a 3 year warranty too. 70amp with trade card less than £60.

[Marky]

Pratical Mechanics magazine have done a battery review this month.
Varta/Bosch Silver batteries were recommended. Halfords also didn't do too badly.

[sharper]

one thing to watch with low batterys is the damage it can do to electrical components , on the codest day so far, when ive cranked my car over my airbag light has come on Ive spoke to an ecu repair place and he said that the low battery out put o cranking has spiked my ecu

[cavysri16v]

my battery is a bit dodgy and i've looked to change it, the one on my 2003 2.2 sri is 74ah, i work at a john deere dealers and they have a similar strongbox battery that is 70ah but has good cranking amps. would it be an issue fitting this only being 4ah lower?