what is the rule of thumb on how long the stock battery should last? In either time or mileage?

 

I don't know, but I own a 2000 and live in Chicago, IL and our temp the past week has been around 10 F. and Ive noticed the car barely turning over.

 

Generally 3 years is pretty typical, maybe some last 4 or so. Beyond that your sort of pushing it...

 

Agree. The original battery on my Max2000 went bad after 3 years - by that time we (my wife and I) put over 90K miles on the car. I had a feeling that it might have served us longer if not for the bad alternator, made the engine drain the battery (literally, sucked it dry within 1 day).

 

my car is 3.5 yrs old and I recently checked the battery with a voltmeter via the power outlet inside the car. The battery is still in optimum condition based on that test.

 

My battery went bad in October less than 3 yrs old (2 3/4 yrs). Dealer replaced it under warranty on a prorated basis. Never had any problems with it. Discovered with a 30 point free check up.

 

I had a Optima Yellow Top in my 2K Max for only 6 months and had the dealer swap out batteries when I bought my 2K2. They also swapped out my Blowtenzas for the BFG's I had on my 2K as well. The dealer thought I was nuts. The stock battery only lasts a few years under normal operation.

 

Isnt the 00-01 a maintained battery...meaning you can adde distilled water to it and it will last much longer?

I checked on mine about 2 months ago...car was cranking a tad slow. Filled up the tubes on the battery and wah lah...performed MUCH better.

Fact or fiction: A self maint battery versus a SEALED battery will last longer/forever.

Thoughts?

 

My stock battery has lasted for 46,800 miles and 3.5 yrs, and still going strong. Though I don't use distilled water, I use spring water....hope it likes it

 

You just get your distilled water from a grocery store? I went to Kragen's yesterday to see if they sold any, but they didn't. The guy at the counter told me to just go to 7 11, or a grocery store.

 

Damn, I keep forgetting that are batteries are not maintenece free, hope I got some water in my battery.

 

I never added any water to the original battery of my Max2000, yet it worked well for over 3 years (>90K miles)

 

3 year old battery and starts fine during 5 degree temperature

 

Well, a maintained battery will not last forever, they really don't last too much longer than sealed batteries. Maybe on average, like for like a maintained battery would last 12-24 months longer than sealed.

However, the original battery that came in the 2k Maxi's was pretty darn poor... Mine got slow after 2 years, but that was a lot of miles. They have sort of a history with that... I got a 72 month gold something from Autozone that has worked great, almost 3 years old now. Next battery will be an Optima.

 

Yes I got mine at a large Michigan based grocery chain called Meijers... .74 a gallon!