Battery Drain?

[Purplecty]

Originally Posted by puddinboo

For our BMWs you would be lucky to get 5 yrs out a battery now a days. Especially if you live in the north where it goes down to -45c

Sent from my SM-G950W using Xoutpost.com mobile app

My 4.6 did spend the last 3 or so years in cold Wisconsin...

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by Purplecty

My 4.6 did spend the last 3 or so years in cold Wisconsin...

By the second winter my brand new Costco battery failed. It literally blew 2 of the covers off and spewed acid everywhere.

"They don't make 'em like they used to" might very well apply here

A few weeks ago I treated myself this battery tester from Amazon and tried it on the fleet.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had a few batteries ranging from few months old to a couple old long dead and I'm happy to say it was VERY accurate in my case.

This little tool also tells you the health of your battery and it seems about right. My brand new battery shows as 97% health and a battery I've had for several years in a car that's been sitting and gets a lap or two around the block every few weeks shows about 58% health.

It also will check your charging system/alternator while you're at it as well

[tartilla]

Originally Posted by c-bass

By the second winter my brand new Costco battery failed. It literally blew 2 of the covers off and spewed acid everywhere.

"They don't make 'em like they used to" might very well apply here

A few weeks ago I treated myself this battery tester from Amazon and tried it on the fleet.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had a few batteries ranging from few months old to a couple old long dead and I'm happy to say it was VERY accurate in my case.

This little tool also tells you the health of your battery and it seems about right. My brand new battery shows as 97% health and a battery I've had for several years in a car that's been sitting and gets a lap or two around the block every few weeks shows about 58% health.

It also will check your charging system/alternator while you're at it as well

Good point. They don't make 'em like they used to. Batteries are one of the things that are made better than they used to be. There is room in the bottoms for sediment to arrest shorting out the plates etc. I've had really good luck with modern batteries.

That being said, the new vehicles demand a lot more from their batteries.

[c-bass]

Originally Posted by tartilla

Good point. They don't make 'em like they used to. Batteries are one of the things that are made better than they used to be. There is room in the bottoms for sediment to arrest shorting out the plates etc. I've had really good luck with modern batteries.

That being said, the new vehicles demand a lot more from their batteries.

Actually...not so much

Batteries are made with recycled lead which doesn't last anywhere near as long. Maybe there are improvements to the design of the case, but the chemical reaction is the same as it has been from v1.0 (I'm not talking AGM or whatever else)

There's a reason the scrap yard will give you $10 back for your old battery when you buy a used $40 from them (around these parts anyway)

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by c-bass

Actually...not so much

Batteries are made with recycled lead which doesn't last anywhere near as long. Maybe there are improvements to the design of the case, but the chemical reaction is the same as it has been from v1.0 (I'm not talking AGM or whatever else)

I wasn't aware there was any diminution of quality after re-smelting lead in the recycling process. So I googled it. Other sources echo'd the below.

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/the-am...ycling-2877926

I think cars are just MUCH more demanding on the electrical system and so batteries don't last as long. As a rule, I replace every 4 years. Whether or not I have an indication of failure.