Battery Dying
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 74
From: Ohio
Firstly, in the "old" days I could tell a battery was getting weak by hearing a slow engine crank. At least you sometimes had some warning. But today's engines are controlled by relays and computers. Once a battery weakens to a certain point, you experience a no crank no start situation. And prior to that point, the car may have been running perfectly. If the "computer" senses a low, but now necessarily dead battery, you're stuck.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Last edited by NotAFiat; Nov 9, 2023 at 10:52 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 74
From: Ohio
Firstly, in the "old" days I could tell a battery was getting weak by hearing a slow engine crank. At least you sometimes had some warning. But today's engines are controlled by relays and computers. Once a battery weakens to a certain point, you experience a no crank no start situation. And prior to that point, the car may have been running perfectly. If the "computer" senses a low, but now necessarily dead battery, you're stuck.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Secondly, I think the quality and price of car batteries has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible to buy batteries which had 5 and even 8-year warranties. My 2004 Highlander's battery lasted 7 1/2 years. It had an 8-year warranty, so I received a small credit when getting a new one. Today, the longest warranty available for a battery at AutoZone is only 3 years. And the price for a battery is from $150 to $250. That's not the top-of-the-line price.
Good advice. If my RX begins acting strangely at start-up, I'll have the battery checked.
Smart to be cautious and change out an aging battery. Getting stuck is a pain and very costly between a tow truck and paying retail at a dealer or repair shop.
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