When should I replace my battery if I want to do so before it fails and
won't start the car?

The car is an 04 Impreza 2.5 TS automatic, purchased new in March 04. I
live in southern New Hampshire and do not have a garage, thus the car is
kept outside at night. It currently has approx 80,000 miles.

I know I'll get a variety of opinions, but perhaps I can draw a general
consensus out of them.

Thanks for your help.

Larry Weil <kc1ih (AT) mac (DOT) com> writes:

Buy a good set of jumper cables and learn the simple steps to using
them safely.

Once the battery is over 3 years old, start paying attention. THen,
the first time you hear the battery struggle on a cold day to start
your car, head to the store.

My 2001 is still on its original battery. I'm in Chicago and my car
is generally garaged, FWIW. I'm thinking I'm due to get one here
soon.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

Larry Weil wrote:

If it aint broke why fix it !

However having said that it would be prudent to carry 'round a set of
jumper cables as one day in the next 5..6..7...8 years one of the cells
is going to collapse and leave you stranded.

On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:24:58 -0000, Larry Weil <kc1ih (AT) mac (DOT) com> wrote:

4 years seems to be the tipping point that a lot of people/mechanics
look at for battery age. With the 80k miles you have on the battery
in the car you're driving now, I am guessing you are doing a lot of
highway mileage, which means you're recharging that battery often. I'm
sure you've got a couple more years out of your current battery, but
start watching how the car starts this winter, its third.

I replaced my car's OEM battery at about 4.5 years in its life, not
because it was failing, but because in December in western New York, I
noticed the car wasn't firing up as vigorously as it should, and at
that time I was making a biweekly commute 140 miles round trip,
returning home late at night, often as late as 11 pm. So, since I had
the car in for other work that month, I went ahead and changed out the
battery, feeling that the $95 expense was cheap insurance (and I
didn't want to get stranded in the parking lot of the University at
Buffalo at 10 pm). That battery (an Interstate) is still running
great almost 4 years later, but the car is firing up just fine, so
I'll see how it goes. Besides, I'm not doing that long commute, so if
I get stranded somewhere, I'll be in my home town. I anticipate
replacing the battery next year, definitely by the next presidential
election.

Just a product plug but when you do decide to replace, Optima batteries are
well worth the few extra dollars. I currently have 2 in a diesel tractor
and all 3 Subarus have them. Won't consider another brand.

My OEM battery on a '97 Legacy was good for 4 years. My Sears Die
Hard Gold replacement just passed its 6th birthday. Keeping the
jumpers handy is a good idea.


On 28 Oct 2006 17:04:00 -0500, subaru (AT) toddh (DOT) net (Todd H.) wrote:

1998 UK 2L GLS Auto Forester, 72000 miles, never garaged, still on the
original battery.

--
Best Regards

Mark

It's time to add some chlorine to the gene pool !
"Larry Weil" <kc1ih (AT) mac (DOT) com> wrote

When you try to get the last 10% out of a battery you are putting your
charging system to allot of extra work. I believe it's better to just
change at the very first sign of sluggeness. Alternators are much more
expensive that batteries. My Forester original was changed at 4 +
years when it first showed some sign of aging.

Edward Hayes wrote:
on orig. battery ( johnson controls ) and running /starting strong
kd

I'm on year 4 of an el-chepo Wal-Mart 2 year battery. And I keep the jumpers
handy. Truck is starting to crank a bit slugishly in the morning, I think my
truck is going to get a new battery for christmas - before it strands me
somewhere


"Marcus" <Asif (AT) GetReal (DOT) com> wrote