Bocatrip

I have always been a firm believer to try an obtain the most recent manufacturer's date for a new battery. Even sitting on a shelf, I'm sure the battery has decomposition going on inside. 3 years ago my LS430 new battery replacement had a 3 month old manufacturer date. My most recent new battery replacement has a 6 month manufacturer date which I feel just falls into the acceptable range. Of course how the battery is stored is a factor as well. I guess that's why buying from a huge supplier such as Costco is helpful with such a frequent turnover. Even tire production dates are a factor but for rubber there is a way longer period before there should be any concern. What do you guys feel is an acceptable manufacturer date for any new car battery for our cars?

Jabberwock

For battery 6 months*max - prefer 3 months or less.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

The EveryStart Max I picked up from Walmart was made a couple of weeks before I purchased it. Kind of nice.

Bocatrip

I guess I wasn't as lucky. I just second checked and found my battery manufacturer date to be 7 months ago. . I called ACDELCO and was told the retailer is allowed to sell any battery up to 18 months from the manufacturer date. Although I would have preferred a fresher battery, at least I didn't have to pay for it as it was exchanged for free under warranty,. I don't think asking to exchange it now due to wanting a fresher battery would be grounds for the return anyway. I''ll just be aware that after the 2 year mark of ownership, to keep an eye on the battery condition and replace it around 2 1/2 years to play it safe.

iToaster

I like to wait until after the 18 months have passed. Many places sell the batteries that have gone past the sell date as recharge batteries for about $30. I was able to pick up a very nice AGM battery that way, and it's still going strong at about 5 years old.

BradTank

I would go to a different retailer if they've been sitting on the shelf that long.

I just got a replacement battery at Walmart and every battery I looked at had a manufacturer date that was under a month. You probably don't need one that "fresh" but I can't ever see myself buying a battery that had been sitting on a store shelf for say 7 months. I would just go elsewhere if you can. A battery could easily discharge in that time and it will never be the same.

It's also a good idea to throw a new battery on a trickle charger and charge it up before replacing because the new battery could be lower than you think and really pull a heavy load on your alternator, they get really hot. Truthfully though, I almost never have time to do that.

Bocatrip

There you go! There is always an exception to the rule! 5 years on a battery sitting for 1 1/2 years on a shelf.