Battery Recommendations

[live4swell]

My dad has a 2000 Tundra and I think his battery is goin, sometimes in the morning it clicks the first time he goes to start, and after a couple of times it starts up. First question...do batteries usually go after 4 years? Second, what brand batteries do you guys recommend?

 

[ScottAW]

If you live in a cold climate, like upstate NY where I am, 4 years isn't that unusual. In my last car I only got 3 years on the battery.

As far as replacements, look for ones with good warrantys and plently of cold-cranking amps. I know some swear by the Sears Die-Hards, and others who say they are a rip-off and not worth the money.

 

[Good Times]

I'd recommend a Optima Red Top Battery. You can find them at your local Costco stores now! (woohoo!)

 

[Faeylyn]

Optima Red for normal use.

Optima yellow if you'll be doing things like using an electric winch a lot. And, if you do that, you may want to consider a double battery setup.

 

[live4swell]

Thanks guys...i hope for my dads sake it is the battery...in the mornings and usually just in the mornings it takes 2-3 turns of the key to start. You just hear a click. Since the truck is only 4 years old I wouldnt think it is the starter. We tried to check all the connections and everything seemed fine. The starter itself is located under the intake manifold and very hard to see or even get to. So we were gonna go with a new battery to try and resolve the problem.

 

[slyangel9]

I'm one of those that swear by the Die Hard from Sears. The Weather Handler has more cold cranking amps than the Gold. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jharris2]

Thanks guys...i hope for my dads sake it is the battery...in the mornings and usually just in the mornings it takes 2-3 turns of the key to start. You just hear a click. Since the truck is only 4 years old I wouldnt think it is the starter. We tried to check all the connections and everything seemed fine. The starter itself is located under the intake manifold and very hard to see or even get to. So we were gonna go with a new battery to try and resolve the problem.

Have you tried jumping the truck when you first start, or connecting a battery charger to it? That could help narrow the possibilities.

4 years on a stock battery is actually a bit better than the average life I've gotten.

 

[waskillywabbit]

Come on guys

Well, I would have imagined these guys would have steered you to a national parts place, such as AutoZone or Advanced Auto, as they will check your system for free and determine whether or not it is indeed your battery or something else.

If indeed, it is your battery, I too would recommend the Optima Red or Yellow depending on your sitauation. I know when my current battery goes to the great battery place in the sky I'm going with an Optima Yellow Top.

:guitar2:

 

[jharris2]

Re: Come on guys

Well, I would have imagined these guys would have steered you to a national parts place, such as AutoZone or Advanced Auto, as they will check your system for free and determine whether or not it is indeed your battery or something else.

Except that I don't trust a battery test from a place that sells batteries. Conflict of interest.

 

[waskillywabbit]

Re: Re: Come on guys

Except that I don't trust a battery test from a place that sells batteries. Conflict of interest.

Good grief! With a bit of common sense, which is becoming less and less common these days, you can get a pretty quick idea of who is ripping you off and who is doing their job. They do the test right in front of your face and the tester has a nice big red, yellow, green needle gage to show you if you batter is good, okay, or needs replacing. Testing a battery ain't brain surgery and most bubba's can do it. Heck, if you've got a good battery charger it will even show you when yours is too low to be any good any longer. Somewhere along the line in this game called life, you gotta trust follks, just use a bit of reality.

:guitar2:

 

[jharris2]

Re: Re: Re: Come on guys

Somewhere along the line in this game called life, you gotta trust follks, just use a bit of reality.

I used to work for a guy who said, "In God we trust. Everyone else bring proof." It really helps to be a skeptic. Not paranoid, mind you -- skeptical.

 

[darktiger]

Either DieHard or Optima Red/Yellow would do nicely.

 

[Good Times]

Either DieHard or Optima Red/Yellow would do nicely.

Since I doubt that he'll be using alot of accessories on the Tundra, I'd say the red top is better off in this situation...

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Re: Re: Re: Come on guys

Good grief! With a bit of common sense, which is becoming less and less common these days, you can get a pretty quick idea of who is ripping you off and who is doing their job. They do the test right in front of your face and the tester has a nice big red, yellow, green needle gage to show you if you batter is good, okay, or needs replacing. Testing a battery ain't brain surgery and most bubba's can do it. Heck, if you've got a good battery charger it will even show you when yours is too low to be any good any longer. Somewhere along the line in this game called life, you gotta trust follks, just use a bit of reality.

:guitar2:

Too bad it's not so simple. In the hands of an idiot (or crook), a $10,000 battery tester can make a brand new battery appear worthless. If you're dealing with bad people, a battery test doesn't guarantee a thing.

 

[Satman]

Not to change the subject but do all the 4th gens come with a panasonic battery? Mine did.