DONNA

bought a battery in 2001 (duralast gold, 7yr auto zone) went bad and they replaced it in feb of 2004, now 16 months later its gone bad, called auto zone and they say the warranty started with the original battery purchase in 2001 and so the almost new battery i got is out of the three year free replacement warranty,,,is this bull-----?,, thoughts

lovintha7

Try a Optima Red Top instead of those Taco Bell reject batteries.

hammmy

Just my thinking, but I don't think it's wrong. I'm looking at it from the point of view that their warranty agreed to provide you 3 years of battery life, which they have--regardless that the battery had to be swapped at one point. That's my interpretation, anyways.

evil_motors

iTrader: (3)

did you pay for the second battery? if not then why would you think that your warranty would start over? its the same at sears.. first 3 years its free.. then after that you have 100 months of prorated battery warranty.. so you have to pay something.. when you do that the warranty starts over.. beacuse money changed hands..

and as for the optimas.. i have seen a few of those get returned also and they tested bad.. they are still a battery.. they just use gel cells.. they still go bad.. and they have the same warranty.. 3 years full replacement and 72 months limited warranty

DONNA

yep seems that way, but even the guy i called said that it doesnt seem right that a 7ry battery should only last 16months, so he suggested talking with the manager when i go in,,,

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Thats how all battery warranties work. After the free replacement period is over it is then prorated on how long you have had the battery.
Most battery failures are from the follwoing,. 1). poor or no hold down for battery.
2). when installing and putting the cables on and they are too tight, you bang them on with a hammer or some other heavy object which weakens that post structure.
3). slipping fan belt. 4). poor connections due to corrosion, not keeping the cables clean.
5). leaving the stereo on while sitting parked or having a high amp stereo system that you are trying to keep powered by the stock alt. 6). leaving the lights on or having a parisitic
drain that you don't know about. 7). not driving the vehicle for a period of time or only driving short distances. 8). About 5% of batteries are due to actual defect in manufacture.
Should add that low amperage output or excessive starter amperage draw are other factors involved in failure. Just when you thought it was just simple to put a battery in and drive

evil_motors

iTrader: (3)

do you think that maybe it might be your car? do you drive it year round or do you let it sit ? sitting is verry bad for batteries.. they need to be used and recharged..or they die.. plus heat and cold both take their toll... maybe your alternator isnt doing its job or maybe you have a drain in your electrical system

evil_motors

iTrader: (3)

damn rxdoc you were one minute faster than me .... now i look retarded.. lol

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

No now i just look like i know what i'm talking about because you backed me,