Car Battery Warranties are a SCAM : Buy the Cheapest Battery at Walmart
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- Walmart Battery Warranty: Everstart Value, Plus, or Maxx?
Which battery should you buy for your vehicle, the cheapest or the one with the better warranty? I'm tired of automotive battery sales tactics Let's talk about it here. 
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I specifically look for a Walmart that doesn’t have a Auto care center so they can’t test it. That’s the key.
I hadn't thought of that
Yes, sir! That's the trick they will pro- rated.
@@HerbOMatic yeah they always give me a hard time , just today at 3years my 5 year. " warranty went out " . last time did the same thing 3 years , the guy at the auto center supposedly tested and the prorate wasnt even worth it
@D must be a regional thing. There is only 1 Walmart in my area that has a auto center. The rest don’t.
@D Atoka Oklahoma. Old small store with no auto bays.
The $55 Walmart battery is now 70 bucks as of 08/23.
Thank FJB
$95 after core fee and taxes. Although I'm not sure why taxes are around $14?
Used to be $50 back when they first hatched, so I snatched😄
You are correct. Other auto stores have baterries with longer warrants, but you are paying 2-3 times more. You are just pre-paying for the next batery that you may or not receice with the longer warranty.
Can't remember the last time batteries were $55. I used to remember when Advance Auto parts used to have significant coupons where you could get $25 off of $100. But now it seems to me that batteries have doubled in price and are at minimum $200 now. None of these places have decent coupons anymore, they are always filled with exclusions for the higher priced stuff (the stuff where a coupon would make the biggest difference.) Don't believe me, see Harbor Freight coupons of 2022 lol.
time to make our own batteries, fren
walmart still has cheap battries
@@nigel3018 How much? I haven't checked out the battery stash at a Walmart in awhile. Next time I'm there I should.
I paid $175 maxx battery for my Prius, still cheaper than other options
Good point. The low CCA batteries like for my Neon were formerly $50, now about $75. That car would gobble the Wally World battery in 3 to 3.5 years. The high end battery would last 3.5 to 4.5 years. Basically about $20 vs $40 per year.
Agree: in the Arizona heat, 3years of life is good for a battery. I also buy the Walmart batteries for my 6 vehicles.
My brothers Maxx Ever Start is over 5 years. When he bought it it was a heat of the moment thing, and even joked saying I’ll be lucky if I get 2 years out of it lol. Once in a while things work in your favor and you’re shocked.
Project farm did an extensive test on batteries and the Walmart brand came out on top like 2nd or 1st place if I recall.
My maxx lasted 8 years
I bought the diehard top of the line for my diesel truck, I had to buy 2 because it has 2. I spent about $500 on those suckers. So far they've lasted 10 years. No signs of slowing. Sometimes the good battery is worth it. Diesels are hard to start compared to gas engines and I do live where it gets cold.
I agree with your solution, but it's not the right one for everyone.
Are they agm?
@@eman8920 Yes, they are AGM.
my last die hard lasted more than 10 years when i sold the car........
Same here, I have two Sears Die Hard Gold Batteries (Flooded Acid Type) 850 CCA (Group Size 65) in different vehicles, bought them 12 years ago, ($105 each) and are still going strong. I have lost some of the 850 CCA, they last tested at 655 CCA and internal resistance has gone up to 5.71mΩ about a year ago, but they still start my 8 & 6 cylinder engines when it was 5º f. just a few days ago with plenty of enthusiasm and no sign whatsoever of any weakness or slow cranking. Only tip for longevity I can give you is Lead Acid batteries need to be stored at 100% for longevity, mine are on routinely on maintenance chargers when not in use for extended periods of time.
car batteries last a long time if car is used regularly, and the batteries stay charged mine don't stay charged now with not driving them much usually wind-up charging battery every 2 weeks or so to keep them full also seems to make a big difference if the battery is freshly made.
I found out that most car batteries are made by like only three different companies (aside from specialty batteries like lithium or gel), so what might cost you $200 at the parts store will only cost you $100 at Walmart, they're almost all the same thing (I'm being very generous with those prices, though, your mileage will vary).
Here we go again. While many batteries are made in the same facility but labeled different, they are not always the same battery. There are completely different internal parts that can and are used to manufacturer the different types of batteries. Typically, the higher priced batteries are going to have thinner plates, which allows them to install more lead plates. More materials means a better charge/life cycle as well as a longer life or interval between reconditioning cycles. So, if my car/truck battery ever actually needs to be replaced due to major damage, then I'm going ot buy a better quality battery, but then I'll maintain and recondition the battery and it will also last several decades like a majority of my batteries have.
@@jmackinjersey1Do you have any specific info about internal differences between different tiers of Walmart batteries? How do you know which battery is better quality at the time of purchase? Thanks
@@jmackinjersey1 "going to have thinner plates, which allows them to install more lead plates" - doen't this mean that thinner plates will be destroyed sooner than thicker plates?
If you want thicker plates, you run marine deep cycle. The reason we dont use MDC batteries for cranking is because the smaller surface area is better for long discharge, not cranking.
If he wants to be pedantic, yes, marine and cranking are built different. But those aren't brands. Those are literally 2 different battery types.
True, deep sycle marine batteries are built better but not meant for gasoline engine starting that takes a lot of amps all at once @@hiko8822
I bought the Ever strat battery from Walmart in the early 2000s, and it has outlasted 3 vehicles. I'm still using it in my father's car today.he left his lights on yesterday, and it had 5.8v .slow charged it overnight with my victron charger.tested, and it 💯 %passed 😊
Don't be so cheap bro
Older batteries were made better
How is that possible
@@ibiro868it's not
This guy lives in desert climate so there's no way he's going to get 10 yrs out of a battery living in Pheonix. If you drive a lot, you can probably get 4 yrs but the average battery life in desert climate is 28-32 months. The consistent triple digit heat accelerates battery corrosion internally so they eat themselves away 2-3 times faster than if you lived outside of the desert.
The 3 batteries at the start of the video are identical except for the stickers and warranty , the cheapest ALSO has the higher CCA capacity , they just downrate the cheaper ones to get you to buy the more expensive ones. Trust me I used to work in auto parts.
The batteries are identical, except the stickers (that part I can believe)....AND the cheapest one is way better? That's hard to believe.
Higher cold cranking amp batteries have thicker lead plates. They usually last longer and of course cost more. In many vehicles these days you will find it difficult to install a battery. In my wife’s Ford the battery is up toward the firewall. It required removing cowling and wiper blade arms to remove additional plastic coverings. Total pain in the arse. Could not even connect to the negative battery terminal to jump start. It has a separate bolt stud mounted to the frame and connected with a dedicated cable to that stud. If you do not want to deal with all this or pay someone else to do it, it then makes more sense to just put in the longest lasting battery in your group size.
I bought a car in 2010, and still have it. The service history showed the battery was replaced in 2009. The battery was a reconditioned Econo Start brand. It lasted 14 years, and just started to show a weak cranking amperage on a load test. I never had any battery last 14 years, and it was not a new battery when it was installed. It was reconditioned.
I only buy from Wal-Mart. Been doing so for over 20 years. I have never had a problem returning a battery under warranty,
even without the receipt, as long as the date sticker is still on the battery.
The biggest battery scam these days is if you don't have a receipt, you're screwed. Buy a used car and someone just replaced the battery? If it dies 6 months later and you take it back to Walmart, Sears or Interstate, they say no receipt no warranty. Even though the date sticker shows its 6 months old or the date is molded on the case.
I'm starting to move away from warranties in different areas of my life. All the money I save from skipping the warranties will cover the one or two things that do go wrong.
This happened to me recently, if you ask the store manager they might work with you, the local O'Reilly's gave me a new one at cost for a replacement on a 2021 battery that needed to be warrantied with no receipt from a used car I had just bought.
Walmart replaced my battery with no receipt. December 2022, did ask for my ID though
You should know that no warranty company actually ever wants to cover their items.
Warranty is on the original owner of the cars account, you keep his phone number they can look it up. Big surprise but no warranty anywhere transfers to a new owner
You are speaking the honest truth. Plus you are doing it in an entertaining way. You just earned another sub Herb. Excellent video.
If you have a LKQ junkyard they have a program for $50 for lifetime replacement battery. Bit of a gamble finding the exact one you need but most batteries are pretty close... if it ever goes bad go swap for another.
I put the Everstart Value on my dad's Camry and it's still working okay at year 4. Occasionally, he would left the lights on, so I had to put a charger on it. Still, we replaced it today for peace of mind. After doing some comparisons, I decided to buy the Everstart Value once again. I picked it for the same reasons this guy did. On group size 24F batteries, the Everstart Value has 585 CCA and came with 1 year warranty while the Everstart Plus has 600 CCA and came with 2 years warranty. So, basically, you pay 50% more for one more year of warranty. Lead Acid battery technology is old. For a given size battery, you can only pack so much in there. You either pack this, or you pack that. The differences are small, so just buy the cheapest battery and replace them ahead of time. The most important is how you use your battery that will decide how long they last.
Bet they weighed the same.
Thank you for your great information on batteries. I need a new one and I plan to do exactly what you said.Thanks for saving me a lot of money. We need more people like you to help save old people like me from spending too much on unnecessary things.
I live in Minneapolis. I get 7 plus years out of a quality battery. And don't need ti worry about being stranded.
I agree 100% with you! And the label on the battery is unimportant, what counts is the manufacturer.
Here’s a PRO tip. Every month or so put your battery on an overnight charge. You’ll be shocked how much longer it will last. Remember: Alternators ARE NOT chargers, they are maintainers.
Actually alternators are very good chargers. You have a bad alternator, slipping belt, or bad battery connection. You never need to put a charger on a battery unless there are issues.
@@user-tb7rn1il3q If you want to wear out the brushes and burn a diode. They are maintainers. Ask any alternator company. People who build and dyno these. They are designed to maintain a charger period.
@@nordicpride9708 Modern alternators are absolutely designed to quick charge the battery without hurting anything. Most cars today have start stop systems and high electrical demands.
@UCTvDVIaTqea3t2KxdIH589Q That engineer needs to be fired. Alternators are designed to charge low or dead batteries. They are designed for the worst case scenario. Someone leaves their lights on, drains the battery, and then gets a jump. They drive 20 minutes and the battery fully recharges.
@@user-tb7rn1il3q Now you know more than countless engineers…. You can’t accept a established fact. Using an alternator in this fashion WILL damage it. That’s understood by industry experts. Keep saying the sky is purple, doesn’t make it so. I will trust the experts and not some RUclips moron
Thank you for all your research and experience, you just saved me money and stress.
A-A, that's good to hear, I got tired of waiting in Wal-marts and getting dinked around!
Costco is the only place where they haven't tried to give me trouble with a battery warranty, and the price is just as good as Walmart.
The batteries for my vehicles cost around one hundred bucks at Costco. I hate getting stranded with a dead battery, so I replace them every three years or so. I consider it cheap insurance. I haven't had one fail early yet.
Walmart has never given me a hard time if it’s within the warranty range.
I have to revise my comment. I just had a Costco battery begin to fail (weak cell) and they replaced it with no questions asked.
The problem with Costco is convenience. I waited in line 40 minutes to warranty a battery. I was pissed. Also, if you road trip a lot and have a battery issue you're 10x more likely to find a Walmart or Autozone if you need a warranty swap
@@DJR5280 That wasn't my experience. It took about ten minutes and was pain free. It helps that I am retired and mostly drive around town.
They were even nice enough to start the warranty over for the replacement battery, so I got three more years of free replacement coverage.
I have worked in the battery industry for 7 years. Actually it will be 7 year tomorrow. Wow. Anyways there are differences in the tiers. I'm not sure about walmart but at other places yes. The build quality and amount of lead is different. In oklahoma I bought a 3 year warranty battery from my store and it lasted till this past fall/winter and I only swapped it because it was old. It was still outputting above its rated cca but winter was coming. I know from experience 2 year warranty batteries do die faster than our 3 year ones. But that doesn't always ring true. There are a lot of factors in this. Environment, how often its driven, alternator output, etc... But one thing I will say batteries made in 2020 and 2021 are lesser quality due to shortages. Hopefully quality returns but it probably wont. The other thing to look at is the type of warranty. Some places are full replacement like how my store is others are a pro rate. That is why you see batteries with 86 month warranties. Those are almost always pro rated which sucks. But look into fine print on warranties. Most of them don't cover if the owner lets the battery completely die. Car batteries don't just suddenly drop to 4 volts and not recover. They call that owner misuse and wont cover it. Then you can get into AGM/Gel batteries which are way higher quality but on older cars generally not worth it unless you have a specific need. But with all that said walmart batteries are fine. Especially if you plan on getting rid of the car in a year. But if its a daily driver and you have different seasons of weather I'd look into better batteries. Also never buy batteries on amazon/ebay. There are some situations where thats fine but if you have to order any battery online read reviews on it first. Check the specs. Weight is generally a sign on quality. The more weight the better the battery, sort of.
how do these battery referbishing companies bring the old batteries back to life ??? do they just add distilled water and recharge ?????
You need to a RUclips Video you are so correct
another click bait video trying to claim something without facts or knowledge, no the batteries aren't the same. sure you might get a cheap battery that last a well. the higher price batteries are built to higher specs,
You are exactly right about the warranty maneuvers at Walmart that they did to me in South Carolina. Spent half a day getting a battery while under warranty. Will get the cheaper one the next time.
I experienced the same as you with multiple batteries here in vegas. None of them lasted much more then a year. First with a $380 battery, then a $150 battery, and then I got fed up and got the $50 battery in 2018 (group 65, same one you got) and that one is still going strong to this day.
bro my battery is like 6 years old and it's fine
what are you all doing to bust batteries
Consider yourself lucky if you can get your battery more than 3 years in Vegas heat. My only lasted about 2 - 2.5 years at the most before I have to replace it with top of the line battery.
Watch the fluid level, yall, top off with distilled water if necessary
I only partially agree with the video. If price is an issue there is nothing wrong with getting the cheapest battery to keep you on the road. The issue I have noticed is that not all stores carry the battery that you need, not even an alternative sometimes, and if they do they might not have all three price options so you end up buying the max even if you only wanted to buy the cheap one because you have to and that is all they have but it's still cheaper than actual auto parts stores most of the time. I've been working on multiple vehicles over the many years and that has been my experience.
I live out a tad past Apache Junction. I can relate to everything you say. All the box stores and auto parts chains are a rip off with the "bump" in price to get nothing more for your money.
Very good video! All one has to remember is to top off their car battery once every two years with a gallon of distilled water you can get at Walmart for $2. Over time the water within a car's battery evaporates and if the water is not replenished the battery will eventually expose the lead plates inside the car battery. This is why a car battery needs to be topped off with distilled water every 2 ~ 3 years and the battery Pos (+) and Neg (-) terminals cleaned with a wire brush or sandpaper as well.
A car battery should last around 6~7 years if properly maintained. My EverStart Walmart battery lasted +6 years before giving up. The EverStart car battery would have lasted longer if I had remembered to top it off with distilled water sooner.
Is it okay to use spray cleaning kits on the terminals of the battery to get rid of corrosion?
@@IAmGabe777 Don't know that the heck a spark cleaning kit is but any cheap Dollar store wire brush or sandpaper will do the trick. Use baking soda as well if you have handy.....
@@happycat0411 I meant spray* not spark. Sorry about that. There’s some kits I’ve seen online that sell the cleaning hole brush and spray bottles to get rid of any corrosion on top of the battery etc.
I just got one of these batteries for my wife's Van the lady at Walmart was really sweet friend of mine put it in started right up seems like the AC was colder and the power seats were indoors so far it's a good battery pray for for her then to keep running so smooth... 💯🤣
Everything you said makes sense but it's very situational. For you it works, and that's great. Anything more expensive would just be throwing away money.
My battery was a hair over 300, like 318 or so after tax. It's just now starting to show some signs of struggle and the sticker on it puts it at about 6 years old. So that alone isn't too bad.. But combine that with the amount of time accessories are used while the vehicle isn't running and the countless sub-zero starts it sees in through the winters, i'll be replacing it with the same one again.
I always buy the 3 year and always get to use the warranty. I have a sound system and lots of other electronics that burn through batteries. I have never had a problem with getting a replacement.
You are 100% correct. I bet there is no real difference until you step up to the AGM battery.
Class 8 truck batteries are Group 31 and have CCA ratings of 750 to 925 . Same dimension in size but the plates in the battery are separated further apart, a 750 CCA battery will not sulfate as quickly and last longer . Constantly jumping a battery instead of repairing the charging system is extremely hard on it and will shorten the battery’s life cycle significantly . 6/4/23
Good little info-clip and yes, I did buy two of the same brand you have @ WallyWorld five years ago, they are for a Diesel pick up and a bit larger that yours and they are still doing just fine and yes, I do have to mention that I did purchase one of those ~ $ 20.-- "Battery Refreshers'" about a year ago which I connect to the batteries when the Ram is resting and it seems to have been worth the money .
Just got Neverstart gold replaced for free 2 years and 9 months. Most autoparts stores will ratchet down the replacement and make you pay $ for the difference. $98.76 3 years ago is now $139. Would have had to dish out $69.74 if I bough the $55 cheap battery. That’s how to hedge inflation. BJ’s clubs used to sell interstate with 7 year warranty for $39.99 with coupon. Ah the good old days! The cold weather kills battery’s here in New England.
I put a Motorcraft in my F150 seven years ago. $ 130.00. Still going strong.
I can vouch for the Walmart battery for $55. I used it in my 96 4runner for 4 years with no issue. I made the mistake of swapping the battery out for an autozone Valuecraft. 6 months after the install it died on me. Luckily still under warranty but could have left me stranded if I was out in the desert or mountains. If I could have gotten a Walmart one again I would have. Lesson learned.
Agree, I use these whenever possible. Getting harder to find though.
3rd Gen 4runners rule!
So true.. I have a 78S Everstart Maxxx right now that only lasted a little over 3 years. I live in Florida so there's no need for anything crazy. Going to pick up a cheapo battery ASAP!
I trickle charge my batteries over night on my three vehicles every three months..You'll be amazed the extra life you can get on a "El Cheapo" battery
My $55 24F EverStart Value battery lasted 1.75 years. I replaced it with Costco Interstate Battery 3 year warranty for $110.
In Australia, we have no trouble at all getting a battery replaced under warranty. But you made a good point.
I learned about those guaranteed forever units too, they always want to blame your car or some way you mistreated it and then you end up paying more so they can keep repeating your purchase - I just went and got a plain interstate from the autoparts store and had no more issues. The glorified batteries seem to be designed to fail
If you have an aftermarket sound system or offroad lights etc then a more expensive battery might be a good idea but for everyday drivers they're just not nessesary
The heat kills them here no matter the quality, 120 days a year with highs above 100F
Also you can get paid for the old battery. Prices are pretty good nowadays too. Any place that scrap cables and metals will pay for it!
I bought a new Toyota Tercel in 1995 and kept it for 12 years. Never changed the battery. And I live in a part of Canada where the temperature often drops to -30 °C in the winter.
The battery in my truck is going on 11 years old, and still strong. It's an Exide Classic. I know all batteries are the same, but vehicles can matter a ton too. It's in an 05 Ranger, 3.0 Vulcan, in the central midwest. The truck is an 05, this is the 2nd battery installed in it, put in April 2012. It's the only battery that has never needed jumped or had an issue, sitting outside all winter. Only vehicle that started in negative degree weather for the past decade with the same battery.
Bought the truck out of Florida with the battery being 5 years old. Drove it up to the central midwest, and here it is at 11 years old and going strong. May be the sweet spot of charging systems in the truck rather than the battery. I'm not concerned of jinxing it by bragging, i've done it for so many years. A 2012 Exide Classic going strong in Illinois summers and cold winters. That thing's gonna have a funeral service when it goes
I bought a used Ford Freestar in 2010. The service history showed the battery was replaced in 2009 with a reconditioned Econo Start brand battery. The battery lasted for 14 years, and was just replaced because it just started to show there were only 302 cranking amps left, and it tested weak. The Freestar has also been on many trips to and from Minnesota, to California. Never had a battery last that long, and it wasn't new when installed. It was reconditioned. Reconditioned batteries are also cheap to buy.
Sears plays the same game. I threaten to roll my motorcycle up to the counter to prove battery would not crank after they told me their battery tester said my battery passed their test. They wound up honoring the warranty but it was a royal fight. I can't stand companies that play these games. They should be called out at every opportunity.
I've started to self-warranty on almost everything. The warranty company has an incentive to wiggle out of it.
When i sold batteries, motorcycle batteries were always a PIA. They were received 'dry charged' and the acid was put in by the customer. Many times a battery would sit on the shelves for MONTHS and they only had a 1 year warranty. Quality on those was questionable. Harley's were hardest on them. Same went for oddball car batteries. Mercedes Diesel was a good one for sitting a LONG time before being sold. I seriously doubt they made it to the end of the warranty
Love the tool videos. Really like your channel sorry for the double post.
Thanks and No worries! I've been watching that Octagon pit, that inertia shear is awesome.
Hmm my batteries keep dying right after 2 years, when the 2 year warranty is up. I buy them at Auto-zone. So this time I bought the 3 year warranty battery. It died in 6 months! I know the heat here in the Valley keeps them from lasting long but I am frustrated. I think I will take your advice and get the Wallyworld cheap one next.
My personal economic situation forced me to use your methodology. Now that I'm thinking about it, it works!
I had the top of line Walmart battery. I had to take it back to them after a couple years. They said they would test it. They did, and gave me a new battery.
The $180 ACDelco battery in my '06 GTO lasted 7 years .
It's unfortunate how this video age due to inflation because now the $150 battery is the cheapest one they got now with a 3-year warranty
I just replaced my battery at Walmart today (5.2.22). My grandfather bought the first battery and it must have had the 3 year warranty. I did not know about the warranty. I went to buy the new battery and discovered the warranty on it. They didn't test it because it does not have an automotive department.
I have to disagree. I've sold car batteries for a long time. You have to take your climate into consideration. In Arizona it's usually the same temperature, in the Midwest where I live it fluctuates. Hot and cold extremes have an effect on the battery. I always recommend the 3 yr warranty battery. They're built better. I don't work on commission either lol. I don't suggest AGM unless you need that specific application. I actually just bought a battery from Walmart and so far it's great. I totally understand why you're saying what you say but I have to disagree. I used to work in Auto parts on the commercial and retail side. This is my opinion.
Walmart has now removed the strap on all Everstart batteries. Makes it nearly impossible to install it as most batteries sit low in a holder. now you cannot lower it in or remove it. Horrible choice to save 15 cents!!!
That's dumb, what a pain in the butt. I guess one of those battery handles will be in my future: amzn.to/3ymTvPO
I noticed that last one I bought and agree, very annoying and ridiculous. I ended up making some strap handles for it out of some yellow nylon cord (jumping rope), only took me a few minutes to make and works just fine.
only once did I ever get a warranty on a battery and that was at BJS wholesale club, and it died just under 3 years, but I think it was only because the battery was 6 months old when bought. one of the biggest things it seems is buy one that is fresh made within a month of when you bought it.
I have had multiple Value everstarts die right after the year is up sadly. In my better cars I run $$$ AGM's most of them have over 8 years on them with no issues so doing the math for me I will just stick with AGM's in Iowa. As for warranty I say this highly depends on the Walmart. My Walmart has a simple load test if it fails it is replaced on spot. I assume this may vary from location to location. But as the same time I do understand why they test it the long way as many people are just idiots and run it down and think it is bad. Part that worries me is that I doubt most Walmart's cycle the batteries and trick charge like they are supposed to. Bought many that are dead out the door and had to be charged. This does not happen at better retailers.
my batterys last 3 years on average, just like yours.
very good information, Thanks
I just got a lemon battery after having good luck with the same brand before. Lemon batteries happen. I do think quality is slipping or maybe it is planned obsolescence. Had someone advise me to check the fluid level in the battery when you buy it and if it is too low (and what is too low?), or especially if one cell is suspiciously lower than the others, bring it back or don't buy it.
I bought the Die hard silver at Advance for $180 and it's past its two year warranty and still going strong. I live in Iowa and get humid hot summers and negative 10 degrees winters. I'm trying to make through this winter with the same battery. I'm taking bets it will last this winter.
You sir are 100% right, I do the same with tires for my cars
Loved you little show, lol Good common sense.
I’ve never had a problem getting a warranty on a battery. Check the date before you buy. They don’t last here in Florida if you buy cheap. Can’t speak to Walmart, I don’t buy their battery. I’ve never seen a battery that’s 55 bucks. Mine usually last 6-7 years.
The OEM battery in my 2003 dodge ram lasted until 2014, 120000 miles . It was built in 2002 so it was good for over a dozen years. The 8 year warranty battery from Costco I replaced it with was gone after 4 years. Sure wish I new who made that original equipment battery.
I had a Walmart ValuePower last at least 5 years and that was an even cheaper model that they had circa 2017. Those 5 years spent in Nor Cal.
my everstart value group 78 completely died after 10 months a few days ago. couldn't make it past it's first winter. I need one that can make it through the cold. I tend to stick to a local company Remy battery here in Milwaukee. They cost about double the price but always last 5+ years and never have to worry one cold morning it will be completely dead with bad cells like the everstart.
My Maxx 124R has 4/18 date and it still works well at 12.1 volts after cool down.
100% of my Walmart batteries lasted longer than 6 years.
If the battery has pop-off cell covers, make sure the water level is at the top marker. Fill with distilled water only.
Many people do not do battery maintenance for batteries that require maintenance.
You make sense. My 5 year old DieHard Gold is starting to crap out. I'll check out the el cheapo Walmart battery for my '04 Honda.
I’m going to check that out. Thanks man!
Skip the bs warranty!
Where I lived in the USA the Wal Mart has no Auto Center, so nobody charges anything, bring in battery, say it sucks, they tell you to go get a new one. The trick I have then used if I need another is to use the date sticker that is on all the batteries for the warranty again later if I need it, but that can be up to the whim of whatever customer rep you get that day, if they say no, come back another time.
That not a trick that's theft. For the Maxx start batteries I have bought they have serial numbers not sure on the lower tier ones.
@@elvism684 Meaning the sticker on the battery shows the date is within warranty... thinking you misread that or something.
@@spamanator666 I taught you meant like you take a sticker from another battery at the store and use that new date as to be within warranty on your old battery.
I live MN, I have the Maxx, it’s 8 years old, still works at zero degree Temperature.
I bought a $50 Walmart Value Power battery like yours in 2018 and it's still in my car today. So I have gotten nearly 4 years out of mine. My understanding is that these batteries are made by Johnson Controls, the same company that makes the higher priced batteries.
In Phoenix there are too many hot days, it seems to kill them between 2-3 years. Glad yours is lasting!
@@HerbOMatic I know what you mean... I used to live in Phoenix for over 15 years. I have been living in the Cottonwood and Prescott areas while I've had the battery.
@@dzim8822 were you happy to get out of Phx? How do you like it up there?
@@HerbOMatic Yes, I liked it a lot better living in northern AZ. Especially in the summer. It does still get hot but it cools down at night. I actually just moved to San Diego where I grew up. It's beautiful here and nice and cool. 😎..but the price of gas is out of this world though at $6 a gallon!
As of 2019 they are no longer owned by Johnson controls. They were bought out by Clarios.
I bought a pair of the 3yr 65N batteries for my 6.9 diesel in Dec 2018 and sold the vehicle in Nov 2023 with the still good batteries. 5 years on them basically and still had life. It needed the 850CCA that the cheaper 65 batteries lacked.
I did buy the cheapest, smallest 1yr battery a year ago for my 12v converted 64 VW with a 6v starter still because it barely touches the battery to crank it and it has the best type of alternator so that battery should last a long time.
Love this video. The play scene, Lol. Very good review and comparison
I don't know much about batteries, but I do know that my son had the Walmart Maxx battery in his first car and he loved it. However, his experience with the Walmart Plus battery in his current car resulted in him yelling at every single employee at the customer service desk and demanding the manager. Granted, this outburst came about after physically carrying a 40 pound battery for more than a mile on a 95 degree day and then being told he couldn't return it, but merely exchange it, and that his size wasn't in stock. He eventually got a refund and has since sworn off of walmart batteries for good. He got an Autozone gold battery after that, which lasted almost 1 year longer than the walmart plus. Now he only uses glass mat batteries.
You are 100% correct keep up the good work!!
I looked at group 65 battery prices. There was the cheap battery for maybe $149. It weighed 44 lbs. Then every more expensive "heavy duty" or Excel version of that battery size was $10 more and only 1/2 lb heavier. So they are selling lead for $20 / lb. for each "up grade" to the battery. I settled on the Walmart AGM. It was $30 less expensive than the identical Champion battery.
Had a champion AGM fail after a year... Pep boys warranty exchange it. Made in Mexico 😢
@@ricebike I had an Optima Red Top fail after too many discharges (doing mods while leaving doors open on my Jeep drained the battery) and it would not recover. This was back in 2008. I expected better out of it but was told that the quality of Optima suffered even more throughout the last 17 years.
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists yeah, that term "they don't make them like they used to" seems true for everything, not just batteries.
This is my first AGM battery because I had an online discount that put it with the same price as a standard flooded lead acid battery
Pep boys looks like a sinking ship since they shut down their parts sales division and only focusing on service and tires now😕 so the 3 year replacement warranty may be void
@@ricebike I noticed that. One of the local Pep Boys has reduced the size of the inside of their store to about 1/4 and has a false wall diverting guests to their service department only.
YES YOUR SO RIGHT JIJIJI THANK YOU ..
I'm "still" running my crv on the cheep-cheep value battery that was $49.99 "originally" upon first release approx. 6 years ago... daily intense driving & no issues, crazy value 👍"key would be; don't be lazy but top it off once in a while"
Just bought one of these Everstart Value group 65 batteries. Will try and remember to report back how long it lasted.
Thank you sir. I'm still interested in seeing project farm do a comparison
I bought 3 years warrant batteries from Walmart: There is no one battery which was working for 3 years. Use on F350 Diesel, Mercedes S 500, Mercedes SL 500 and a 2 more cars. The cars when sear for 2 weeks they are fine, but from one day to the next they are dead.... have about 3-5 Volt. Charger tells dead battery. My last one was good for 3 month. So far I got already about 15 batteries. I live in San Antonio, TX. (70 % working less than 1 year. )
I think I'm going to try grabbing them from Costco when I can, they don't have all the different sizes though! Thanks Horst
*I bought an $80 Walmart battery in Ontario (Canada) in 2018, moved to colder central BC, still have it. Also, I think that a lot of battery warranties are PRO-RATED for number of years left on warranty (5 years into 6-year warranty? You pay 5/6th of the price).*
*On REALLY cold overnights (-30, -40 or worse), I bring the battery inside. Never an issue with CCAs as the battery is not cold. Also plug car in for an hour.*
Typically they have a period where it's free replacement and then it becomes prorated after that.
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists yes I think the first year, maybe two...
@@raccoon874 Probably, I haven't bought a battery for anyone in awhile. September 2020 I believe was the last time I installed a battery for a relative.
I have to say, these value Everstart batteries are very inconsistent. I have bought one that lasted a year, one that lasted about six months and one that started dying two weeks after I bought it.
Yeah that can be a problem and several reasons why. #1 is battery not properly filled water levels, even what they call "sealed" battery you can access by removing a couple of screws, just look it up on RUclips. Many people have checked on brand new batteries from Walmart (and elsewhere also) and show how the water level is already too low. Topping them off makes a big difference on longevity. Another reason is them sitting too long on the shelf. Best bet is when you get a new battery check the water levels and top it off. Then trickle charge that battery overnight to make sure it's at 100% charge before you start using it. Also helps if you trickle charge that battery to full a couple of times per year to help maintain it.
I would just like to suggest that buying a good battery might make it last longer and you dont have replace it so often. However, if you go through batteries this way might be better.
I'm in southern Indiana. The maxx I put in my Dodge Ram 5.8 L lasted 9 years and was still going ( but cranking slower) when I swapped it out. Drove every day to work, full time job, round trip was 6 miles plus some errands around town, sits in the concrete driveway not a garage. I changed it out in Walmart's parking lot in 2021. Walmart dude was freaked when I bought my core back in and had a "12" on the date dot since I started and drove it there. So yeah, I put another maxx back in.
I agree 100%. I spent 40+ years in the auto parts business and most people fall for the warranty hype.....
I buy the best battery I can for the application. I use northstar. One of mine just died after it sat in a car for an extended period(6mo). It was installed in 2010. Paid 300 for it. Works out to 25 bucks a year and I NEVER have to worry if its the battery. You literally know its going down in capacity a couple years ahead of time. You get what you pay for some times. Also, my crap starts. Every. Time.
Master retired mechanic here. Your advice is CORRECT SIR. I just had delivered for free from walmart the size group 65 ever start battery from walmart with one year warranty for 69.85 for my back up truck 98 dodge ram. I also possess the same intelligence and law of averages as you do
I change mine every 2 years. I'm like you. I keep accurate records on everything. I buy the cheapest one I can find. I've been around awhile. For less than a $100.00 bucks every 2 years I never have to worry. I put a 200amp alternator in my F-250. I run a 13000 lb winch. Why screw around. I always keep the old batteries and add them to my harbor freight solar panel system. It saved my butt many times when the power goes out. Great video. Have fun.
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Live in a cold climate, when I had to change my battery I got one at Walmart, but the cheaper ones that fit in my vehicle don't have the cranking amps the manufacturer recommends. So but a 100 dollar battery is better for me than buying a 50 dollar battery that will most likely give me problems in winter. 6 years, still going good. Not spending the 150 or more the auto part stores want for a battery for my vehicle.
Get a good pulse charger like a Solar Pro-Logics or Clore. These charger will indicate the state of charge. Charge with a 2 amp maintenance load every couple of months. These chargers have a conditioning cycle. You will add years to your battery life. Newer cars are power demand hogs. They never really shutdown. They have constant sys monitoring and voltage draw. Charge regularly at low amperage to extend the bat life and keep your voltage optimal.
I didn’t know you saved me from spending $300 on an official toyota battery.
I have the base battery from WM that's four years old and still going strong in a cold climate. No complaints here. They're made by the same makers as other brands and they're just as good, but cost way less.
54 dollar battery keep terminals clean and distilled water good to go
My last Cosco interstate battery last about 7 years like 120$ I paid , this great idea for someone who won’t keep the car for long or can’t afford it
Great info. Thanks!
Thanks Brian Glad it was helpful! Sub for more tool reviews and rants!