I replace the batteries in all my cars every 5 years. My cousin whose a mechanic says that is a safe period of time. Atfer that it can go at any time. That train of thaught has worked for me so far! Never been stranded because of a dead batery.

 

Hello, I saw your conversation regarding batteries and wanted to help out any way I could. CMax03, I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’ve been having with batteries. Although warmer climates are harder on batteries, if you are running an under drive pulley, your alternator may not be producing the energy necessary to keep your battery fully-charged. The voltage of your battery with your engine running is the output of your alternator and should be somewhere around 13.7-14.7 volts. A simple way to test your alternator is to turn your headlights on when the engine is running. If they get brighter as you rev the engine, it’s likely that your alternator is not producing enough energy.

Aftermarket accessories can also create a parasitic drain on a battery, that will discharge it over time. They typical “key-off” load on most vehicles is about 25 milliamps. If your vehicle’s key-off load exceeds 100 milliamps, there is a parasitic drain that needs to be addressed. This video explains how to test your car for a parasitic drain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPlx4MBNRU

Finally, it’s always a good idea to check your grounds. There is no such thing as a ground that is “too good.” kgallerie, the only batteries Optima makes are Optima batteries. However, we are owned by Johnson Controls, which also manufactures batteries for Costco. If you have any other battery-related questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

 

I just replaced my OEM battery this November in my 2002 Nissan Maxima SE with about 75k miles on it. I live in California where the winters are not too terribly cold so I probably exceeded the normal life.

 

And Johnson Controls is the best name in the business.
Thanks for posting, I was going to mention that as well.

 

I have Kirkland batteries on 3 of my cars. Just waiting on the 4th (the MAX) to need it.

However I can not find an exact replacement for the MAX and the RX330, they both specify 24F and my Costco do not carry them!

Perhaps OptimaJim can assist?

 

I got an Energizer for my fathers' '00 from Wal-Mart, also a JC battery. It fits perfect and his car cranks like day 1. Cold, warm, whatever.

Could give that a try.

 

Hi mandyfig, if you are referring to a replacement battery for a 2000 Maxima, our group 34R and group 35 RedTops are both listed as direct-fit replacements. A group D35 YellowTop would also work, if you have a large stereo or other significant aftermarket electronics. Unfortunately, you may not be able to get these sizes at Costco. Most auto parts stores can order them though, if they don’t already have them in stock.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

 

I replaced the stock battery on mine in December 2006. I wasn't happy to only see 4-5 years out of it but I doubt the original owner ever topped the fluid off on it. I replaced the stock one with what I thought was going to be an identical battery from the dealer. It turns out that even though it says Nissan on it, it's just a re branded Interstate according to the parts guy. I had a '92 Maxima in which the stock battery lasted 10 years though!

 

So, i am back to report that the car stalled on me again the yesterday. Tried restarting twice, but she was not having it. I just sat in the road for about 5 minutes or so, tried again and it started up. I knew a stall was coming as each time i approached a light and stopped, the RPM's would drop to just below 300. I turned off my wipers and my lights and the RPM actually rose by about 200. Finally just as I was pulling off from the light the car shutoff.
I went to Advanced AP and had them test the battery.
Results:
Volts: 12.83
CCA: Measured 569, Rated 530
Temp: 66

He mentioned it may be the ALT, but who knows. I will stop by the mechanic and mention this.
Thanks for the information about everyone.

 

Did you get them to measure charging voltage? Should be 13.9 to 14.6 volts and if it is, the ALT is good. Your battery shows good results. Gotta be the ALT.

 

Thanks will check them out!

 

Your battery is a bit undersized, the FSM calls for a minimum 581 CCA battery. Always get the best battery you can, spend another $20 for the highest CCA and longest reserve battery they offer.

 

10 years 120k, NH weather, still the nissan 7 year batt going strong... prob will replace it soon just for piece of mind

 

My OEM battery died in 2008 (I forget what month). It'd start fine every once in a while, but of course always let me down when I needed it to start. I replaced mine with an Optima Redtop battery and haven't regretted it at all. Fast healthy crank every single time, no matter what the temperature is. I also run two amps in the car, which hasn't seemed to affect the battery's performance at all. It's nice knowing I can leave the key on and stereo going for over an hour and not have to worry about it start it every 10 minutes. Great battery.

 

Not to go against what you're saying, but the headlight test may hold true for those who have headlights that are NOT HID. Correct me if I'm wrong, but HID lights tend to remain constant unless they don't get enough power, in which then they flicker or turn off.

The way I test the alternator is to turn the headlights on, rear defroster, and fan blower set to high (no A/C operation though). It is also called "loading the alternator". If at idle the voltage isn't sufficient enough, then the alternator may be weak.

Again, OptimaJim, I don't wanna go against what you're saying. I just thought maybe some clarification was needed to address the headlight systems in 2002-2003 5th gens as well as those with HID conversion kits.

 

Thats what I meant........

I thought the kirkland was made by optima, but I guess its made by the same company that owns optima.

 

Johnson Controls.

Good batteries.

 

^+2 Have them in all my cars, except the MAX.

 

I think I will have to make this switch. Mechanic cant reproduce the problem and basically cant search for what could be causing the drain. I also had the ALT replaced last year, so I dont think its that.

Thanks again

 

Hi byrdman164, if your HID headlights remain constant regardless of voltage, another way of testing your alternator is to simply check the voltage of your battery with a DMM or voltmeter while your engine is running. That reading should be in the range of 13.7-14.7 volts. Thanks for pointing that out.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

 

My OEM went out today... can't start my car. Its raining and its humid here in New England. I've noticed that sometimes my car starts bit slow especially if its humid. unless its something electrical? or spark plugs need to be replaced?? I have 91K on my 2003 maxima.

I think its time to replace my battery. I'll call Nissan tomorrow in the a.m. to see if they have any in stock if not I'll get DuraLast GOLD over DieHard. The DieHards on my old car were giving me issues within 1 yr of purchase so I'll be getting a new brand.

Anyone here have the Duralast GOLD???

 

I just replaced my OEM battery which lasted 8 years and 6 months. Signs were there of her dying, so I had to let her go.

I insisted on OEM, so I picked up the stocker which is 84 months and built by Interstate, so said the salesman.

However, when I removed my OEM, it looked different, and said "Made in Japan". I wish they would sell the exact same battery that comes with the car off the lot.....

Hope this lasts just as long - that battery was amazing, and it seems from this thread, that a number of owners enjoyed MAXimum longevity with the OEM battery.

FYI, the CCA was lower than the service manual recommended......

 

I believe the battery that comes new with the car comes only with new cars. The battery they sell as replacement are different than the ones that came with the cars new.

I had my OEM until a month or 2 ago. My car was built in June '02. It was still working fine but i figured I should replace it when my alternator went.

 

I had a less than 2 year old Duratop Gold battery go out last week. 3 year free replacement ftw.

 

still rocking the OEM and showing no signs of failing...yet

 

My OEM Battery lasted 6.5 years.
Bought Walmart Energizer Battery which lasted almost 3 Years.
Just bought a Busch Battery, will see how long it lasts.

 

Know I've already posted, but gained some additional information. Recently went to the dealer to check on recalls (naturally crank/cam position sensors not yet done) and they were actually able to pull up the service history on the car.

Seems my car was manufactured on 4/18/02 (so one of first 2003's?) at the Oppama Plant (location?) and was purchased new in Colorado on 6/25/02. Although it appears my battery is the stock one, records show that Nissan did replace it on 12/10/03, so after approximately 18 months of service. This must have been a rental/corporate vehicle because the mileage on the car was 26,183 miles when they replaced the battery.

Either way, I'm still using this same battery, going right at 7 years.

 

OEM battery: about a good 4 years
Wal-Mart (Energizer): still running since

 

Not even remotely one of the first. Mine was the 91st one made and has a June 2001 build date.

 

My mistake, meant first of the 2003's. Naturally 2001 was when the first 5.5's went into production. Fixed my post.

 

Interesting. How can you tell yours is the 91st? Is it on the VIN plate? Also, is yours a 6 spd? Mine has a build date of 10/01 and is a 6 spd. The manuals came a few months after the autos. I"d love to know where my car is in the production line.

Also, the original battery was not maintenance free. In fact, placed on the ground, you could see where the fluid was and there were "high level" and "low level" markers visible. And the battery was made in Japan because it said so.

My Nissan "OEM Interstate" is nothing like my OEM

 

I am bumping this back up because i think its getting close to changing. First real cold weather the past few days (high teens, low 20s, and prob lower with the windchill) and the car sounds tired when trying to start. should i just go with OEM? i dont want to spend the money for an optima or some fancy *** battery..

 

good question, i wouldnt have a preference myself, i would just go with an aftemarekt replacement. i doesnt have to be an exact oem.

get a grounding kit while your in there you'll love it if ur noticing suddle things like this.

 

Just FYI, HotShot... today's OEM are rebranded Interstate Batteries. At least, that's the way it was last a year ago when I finally replaced my original.

 

There are 3 battery makers. Johsnon Controls, Interstate...

 

The OEM battery on my 2002 died in November. Car cranks over a lot faster. Duralast Gold is a good battery and they have some good reviews from doing some research on the web.

 

In my 18ish years buying car batteries, Interstate batteries seem to be the best to go with. I've had friends buy Optima batteries that have lasted 8+ years, but I can't justify spending double or more for a battery that won't last longer than an Interstate. So if Nissan is using Interstate batteries with Nissan logo's on them, then that would be my next choice over buying one off the Interstate guys.

 

My OEM died after 4 years but I am running two medium size amplifiers. I killed a few Wal-Mart batteries (replaced free under their 3 year warranty) before buying the Kinetik battery I have now. Definitely overkill for OEM replacement but if you're running some audio I'd look into one. Best price I found was on Amazon (remember when they only sold books?!)

 

I just replaced my stock battery from '02 last month. It was really shot cause if I left the lights on while getting gas, the thing would die out. New one from AutoZone with the 3yr warranty, does the job just fine and I probably won't need a replacement.

 

I need to change my 10 years old battery. Has anyone buy one from Costco / Kirkland battery?