Just got back from taking the wife down to the dealer to pick up her car, the battery died in her 08 fusion w/10K miles on it. From the looks of it ford uses junk batteries in all their vehicles, not just the trucks.

 

Walmart 850CCA for $75, three year free exchange. That can not be beat on price. Like the previous poster said, only three companies make the lions share of the vehicle batteries available. Why waste money on a cool label...

 

I agree with you, the only reason I might regret getting mine is the fact that there are several accessories I might get and I'm not so sure my battery can handle it.

 

i've always used optima batteries when the factory one kicked the bucket. this vehicle will be no different.

 

I am satisfied with my stocker lasting 4 1/2 years with 63,000 miles...

 

To me, a warranty is only as good as the number of times you DONT have to use it. Those batteries may be cheap, but if they are needing to be replaced every year or two, leaving the possibility of leaving you stranded, are they really worth the cheap price tag?

I dont know about anyone else, but I didnt waste money on anything. I spent good money on a good battery.

 

Same here, I am on the second one in the 92'. But anyone who knows anything about batteries will tell you that Optima is not the company it used to be. That was the main driving force behind me getting this Interstate in the 05'.

 

agreed.

 

GT- what test did it pass with flying colors? Fords Midtronics test? That's bogus as a $3. bill. I wish I had a nickel for everyone i've read about who's Motorcraft battery (under warrantee) passed with flying colors, but wouldn't turn the truck over or even hold a charge overnight. Ford gets out of buying a lot of batteries that way. SICK!

 

Mine showed 70 percent on my home tester but wouldn't start the truck, it would roll it over but not fast enough, it still tested good, but wasn't. It was 4.5 years old also, with 65,000 on the ticker, I am sure it didn't help having the amp and sub on it.

 

I think you missed a few key points:

1) The majority of car batteries are created by 3 manufacturers - Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries. Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries.

2) So you basically have alot of companies private labeling the same battery. Walmart does not make batteries, they resell them a lower price point than other companies. In a few instances they can keep the price low because "you" install the battery and they don't have to have an Auto Shop employee paid to do it.

3) If a company has to replace anything under warranty, their profit margin goes down. Companies don't last long. Long warranties equate to company confidence in a product.

4) Unless you have return rates for the major battery companies above, you have no idea which battery is better over the long term, using a high price is a bad idea to determine if you are getting a good battery.

5) I don't need a battery to look good, have a flashy case or provide 18 Jigawatts of power. Just start my truck for roughly 4 years and I will buy a new one.

 

Manufacturers of anything and everything have different levels of performance in their product lines. The higher the performance, the higher the price. Just cause it was made by Johnson Controls, doesn't mean you didn't buy the cheapest battery they make. I personally wouldn't buy the cheapest of anything that can leave me stranded...or the cheapest parachute for the matter. Everyone buys in at the level they feel comfortable with (price, expectations, etc.).

 

I got the Interstate Plus from Sam's. $79.

 

Actually, price is not indicative of performance nor quality. It is ultimately a function of what the market will accept. You are referring to quality perception based on price, which is a great way to lose your money. You are a Marketing dream come true. Its why nobody shops hospitals for cost. The perception is the higher cost the better. Which is laughable. The majority of people have no clue why a product cost what it does.

Two companies making identical products can have completely different price points. Labor, overhead, raw material cost, Marketing and automation affect the price more than the actual product.

I am a Senior Mechanical Engineer who has turned over many products to the Marketing group and dropped my jaw at the prices they are able to get. Why? Because all they have to provide is perception. Lets give it a bright color and charge 50% more.

Unless you have comparison tests, reliability studies and raw input cost data, your use of price as a barometer for performance and quality is questionable if two items have the same specs and different prices (if specs are different, all bets are off).

A friend and I were in a supermarket and she wanted a bottle of water. She grabbed the most expensive one on the shelf. I asked her why, she said "it must be better". Its water...but her reasoning is the default now... But it is your (and her) money to spend...

 

but my battery has a flux compacitor...