Battery Life

**garabed53** · 07-13-2011, 09:53 PM

I have had my Maggie for almost 6 years now and I'm amazed my battery is still going strong. I mentioned this to a dealer mechanic recently and he said that the battery being in the rear compartment is keeping it away from the heat of the engine, making it last longer!! Another good reason to own a Magnum, taught I'd pass that tidbit around.

**moaugust88** · 07-13-2011, 10:36 PM

I think my stock one would've lasted a couple of years more, but with slower starts and the lights dimming it was best to replace it with Wal-Mart brand battery. Also I put a newer thicker ground wire to the car and it starts pretty quick.

**critterCQB** · 07-13-2011, 10:40 PM

When it DOES come time to replace it, hit walmart. No sense in wasting your money. There's a thread on here a LOT of us have chimed in on.

**89grand** · 07-13-2011, 10:55 PM

Mine took a crap about 1 year ago, so mine lasted maybe 4 years.

**critterCQB** · 07-14-2011, 12:02 AM

Here it is. Please remember this thread. Get the 94(stock replacement), not the 49 (bigger one). I picked up a 49 and it barely lasted 2 years. As it turns out a bigger battery makes more work for your alternator! Who knew!?

$75 Vented Battery Confirmed

**garabed53** · 07-14-2011, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the tip on the battery. A good friend of mine works at WalMart, so I can get it with a 10% discount too!!

**IES99** · 07-14-2011, 09:28 PM

5 years on my OEM. Wally World battery now.

**crazy_luck** · 07-14-2011, 09:34 PM

Mine will be 6 years this August (build date of car) - I keep my 12v booster pack in the car just in case, especially since this spring the battery was dead after sitting all winter (even with a trickle charger on it for most of the winter (GFI outlet tripped and I didn't know it) and an occasional start-up and moving it from where it sat).

**89grand** · 07-14-2011, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by critterCQB

Here it is. Please remember this thread. Get the 94(stock replacement), not the 49 (bigger one). I picked up a 49 and it barely lasted 2 years. As it turns out a bigger battery makes more work for your alternator! Who knew!?

$75 Vented Battery Confirmed

I can't really see any reason that would be the case, that the alternator works harder. I have a 49DL, and it's not rated much different than the stock one. I believe it's rated at 850 CCA, and 1000 CA. The alternator just has to maintain 12.5V give or take a little. It shouldn't matter much...but I guess I'll find out if mine takes a dump prematurely.

**critterCQB** · 07-15-2011, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by 89grand

I can't really see any reason that would be the case, that the alternator works harder. I have a 49DL, and it's not rated much different than the stock one. I believe it's rated at 850 CCA, and 1000 CA. The alternator just has to maintain 12.5V give or take a little. It shouldn't matter much...but I guess I'll find out if mine takes a dump prematurely.

Well, mine did. In the non-punishing state of Florida. I think the coldest that thing EVER got was like 59 deg F. 25 months on an 850 cca battery? C'mon now. I ran the gauntlet of gurus, and they all collectively said the same thing. If you're not pushing subs/amp/anything else, stick with stock application. A bigger battery is not going to make you go faster or necessarily last longer.

**critterCQB** · 07-15-2011, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by garabed53

Thanks for the tip on the battery. A good friend of mine works at WalMart, so I can get it with a 10% discount too!!

Really...? Get a new good friend.

Just kiddin' bud, welcome to the forums!

**89grand** · 07-15-2011, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by critterCQB

Well, mine did. In the non-punishing state of Florida. I think the coldest that thing EVER got was like 59 deg F. 25 months on an 850 cca battery? C'mon now. I ran the gauntlet of gurus, and they all collectively said the same thing. If you're not pushing subs/amp/anything else, stick with stock application. A bigger battery is not going to make you go faster or necessarily last longer.

I didn't buy it because it was bigger, as it isn't very much. I bought it because it was reasonably priced compared to the exact fit battery.

**Gdragich** · 07-15-2011, 10:33 AM

Anyone over 5 years on a stock battery (trunk mount or not) is on borrowed time...and it will choose the a very inconvenient time to remind you of that!

**drag_racer** · 07-15-2011, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by critterCQB

When it DOES come time to replace it, hit walmart. No sense in wasting your money. There's a thread on here a LOT of us have chimed in on.

It gets down to -40C or sometimes even -50C up here....not gonna trust a cheap walmart battery. Interstate or Optima only for me. We've got an Optima yellow top here that is still going very strong, and I'm sure it's well over 5 years old