Battery Recomendation

[Kaiserhead]

I need a new battery for my Mazda6, does anyone have a recommendation on who has the best deal? The cars sits during the week and isn't driven very often.

[Donutz]

Optima red top

[SonicBoy]

A GEL type battery like the Optima as mentioned is good.

You should also look at getting a CTEK charger from Cdn. Tire that keeps the battery at optimal level. They make OEM chargers for BMW, Mercedees, and other car manufacturers. The charger is much more than a trickle charger and uses pulse technology to charge.

[1flycdnM3]

Optima red top

+1 mine has been going strong for almost 3 years now with ZERO problems! wal-mart seemed to have the best prices/selection as well!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Unless you have a lot of accessory items wired up that are draining off the battery, just go get a regular replacement battery for your OEM size.

[Cab0oze]

No matter what you do, and dont make the same mistake i did. DO NOT BUY BATTERIES AT CANADIAN TIRE. first two were garbage and had to be returned within 3 months cus they were dead and wouldn't recharge, and the third one leaks nonstop.

[Queue]

Optima red top


+1 mine has been going strong for almost 3 years now with ZERO problems! wal-mart seemed to have the best prices/selection as well!

+1 as I've had an Optima Red Top in my previous car for over 5 years, plus when my battery warning light came on (alternator was about to die), it still brought me from Mississauga, to downtown Toronto, to Markham with no issues! That day, I replaced the alternator and still kept that red top in the car. Sorry, I don't have an idea as to where there might be a deal on it as they are pretty pricey, but reliable.

[Default User]

Unless you have a lot of accessory items wired up that are draining off the battery, just go get a regular replacement battery for your OEM size.

+1
still rocking my OEM battery. It's going strong for 6 years.

[Cab0oze]

+1
still rocking my OEM battery. It's going strong for 6 years.

... which is about its life limit so you should probably start lookin for a new one before you're stuck somewhere you dont want to be :P

[Flagrum_3]

Optima Red top would be ideal for your situation, considering the car sits most of the week; being that deep cycle, dry cell batteries are known mostly for their ability to drain slower and hold a charge longer then conventional batteries.

_3

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

... which is about its life limit so you should probably start lookin for a new one before you're stuck somewhere you dont want to be :P

6 years is hardly the shelf life of a properly maintained car battery. Most usually last 8-10 years rather easily.

So, assuming the OP doesn't have a lot of accessory items draining down on the battery and has an alternator that is working properly and assuming he needs a new battery every 6 years as you say. It is still cheaper for him to buy 2 standard batteries than one Optima. This also assumes he then keeps his car for 12 years which frankly, most people don't.

Don't get me wrong, Optima's are great batteries, but I wouldn't go tell someone to buy one unless they had a specific need for it, or just wanted the bling/bling that goes with the look so they can say, "I have an Optima and it's a pretty red/yellow colour."

[Cab0oze]

6 years is hardly the shelf life of a properly maintained car battery. Most usually last 8-10 years rather easily.
I think that is a bit of an exaggeration.... at 6 years of constant use, the battery is not going to have a whole lot of go power. Especially in the winter when you're trying to crank at -30C.

[Default User]

I think that is a bit of an exaggeration.... at 6 years of constant use, the battery is not going to have a whole lot of go power. Especially in the winter when you're trying to crank at -30C.

How often is it -30*C (not to include wind chill)

and what do you think the life expectancy of an Optima battery is?

[Cab0oze]

How often is it -30*C (not to include wind chill)

and what do you think the life expectancy of an Optima battery is?
I have no idea, never had an optima, and i dont know anything about them.
-30 happens thru out the winter, and if you have a marginal battery, you could be stranded. And thats not fun when its that cold, trust me.

[Flagrum_3]

I think that is a bit of an exaggeration.... at 6 years of constant use, the battery is not going to have a whole lot of go power. Especially in the winter when you're trying to crank at -30C.

Actually he's not exaggerating much at all and I'd say he's quite correct.But remember he stated 'a properly maintained' battery.Personally I've never in my life had to change out a battery in just 6 years and some have lasted as long as 10 years.Presently, I'm coming up to 6 years with my oem battery, I've had a audio system the whole time, which I listen to quite often and quite loud tbh, and often with the engine not running.I just checked my complete charging system and battery... and all is AOK....go figure.

_3

[Default User]

-30*C (before wind chill) does NOT happen often. It can feel like -30 or colder with windchill. but truth is, it'll be -15 or -20.

And FYI, Optima batteries have a 2 or 3 year warranty IIRC. life expectancy is actually 6-7 years.

[Takumi616]

I have my OEM battery for almost 5 years now, I want to try to make it pass one more winter. But occasionally , happen only sometimes when i start my car it has some hick ups..... I guess i need to replace my OEM battery soon.

[Cab0oze]

-30*C (before wind chill) does NOT happen often. It can feel like -30 or colder with windchill. but truth is, it'll be -15 or -20.

And FYI, Optima batteries have a 2 or 3 year warranty IIRC. life expectancy is actually 6-7 years.
I'm sorry, do you live in canada? It is -30C before windchill several times a year....

And note how I said 5-6 years life expectancy... thats for normal batteries. I thought Optima ones were expensive, so that makes sense that it would be 6-7 years.
Google 'car battery life'. Every website I see says ~6 years so i have no idea why you guys are arguing with me. I'm sure a person can occasionally squeeze 10 out of one, but only if its properly maintained, and rarely used.


I have my OEM battery for almost 5 years now, I want to try to make it pass one more winter. But occasionally , happen only sometimes when i start my car it has some hick ups..... I guess i need to replace my OEM battery soon.
.... case and point guys.

[Default User]

I'm sorry, do you live in canada? It is -30C before windchill several times a year....


What part of the Matrix are you from. The coldest day in Toronto's history was like -31*C back in the 40's. So I don't see how it's colder than that several times a year.



And note how I said 5-6 years life expectancy... thats for normal batteries. I thought Optima ones were expensive, so that makes sense that it would be 6-7 years.

An Optima through a sponsor is close to $200. More than twice the cost of a regular battery, to gain an expected 2 years does not make sense to me.

Nobody's trying to argue with you. But if you're taking offense because I don't agree with your thermometer, then I'm sorry.

I'm simply replying to a post that Optima batteries are the best, which is really incomplete info for the OP.

[Takumi616]

:chuckle


What part of the Matrix are you from. The coldest day in Toronto's history was like -31*C back in the 40's. So I don't see how it's colder than that several times a year

[zmz3]

Not sure if this is related anymore, but I see the interstate batteries all over dealerships and local shops... is it because they are cheap? OP: maybe you can look into this

[Cab0oze]

What part of the Matrix are you from. The coldest day in Toronto's history was like -31*C back in the 40's. So I don't see how it's colder than that several times a year.
Sorry, i dont live in Toronto. That could explain that.



An Optima through a sponsor is close to $200. More than twice the cost of a regular battery, to gain an expected 2 years does not make sense to me.

I'm simply replying to a post that Optima batteries are the best, which is really incomplete info for the OP.Oh, gotcha

[standsideways]

Odyssey, braille or optima..

If you dont wanna spend 200+ go to cantire or whatever and get some cheapo battery.

If you want guarenteed performance your going to be spending more..

Funny how you can get a battery twice as good as the stock one at 1/4 size/weight....

Optima yellowtop for me.

[Flagrum_3]

I have my OEM battery for almost 5 years now, I want to try to make it pass one more winter. But occasionally , happen only sometimes when i start my car it has some hick ups..... I guess i need to replace my OEM battery soon.

What kind of hick-ups? Can you be more specific? If the car 'turns-over' but runs rough, it's not necessarily your battery at fault.It could be many things.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

I've had good results from CT batteries. Lost the belt and drove for 110km with the stereo, sizable, on and (2) 100 watt driving lights plus high beams on....the dumby light wasn't working. Put the belt back on the next day and drove for 2 more years, no issues. Plus your warrenty can be claimed at any CT. That's my :.02

[djltoronto]

Costco Kirkland battery..
$69.99 for a 3 yr free replacement / 84 month pro-rated warranty.

Can't really beat that for cost efficiency/warranty.

[Chester_Lampwick]

Costco Kirkland battery..
$69.99 for a 3 yr free replacement / 84 month pro-rated warranty.

Can't really beat that for cost efficiency/warranty.

+1 If you own 10mm and 13mm wrenches you can do it yourself in 10 minutes and save$$. This will cost over $200 from CAA, even if you are a member.

[sol_searchin]

Optima reliability is beyond garbage, interstate is what I like, never had an issue.