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When should I change the battery?
When should I change the battery?
I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
original battery.
Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad. Some people say
that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit longer to
start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice. Even if I knew I would
notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it done at my
leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to take care of
it.
On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming it isn't
the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years, with the last
year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years fully
warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I could wait at
least another year. The general rule I've heard is to replace a
battery a year before the warranty expires.
I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing heat of
Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that very cold
temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car batteries.
I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
original battery.
Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad. Some people say
that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit longer to
start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice. Even if I knew I would
notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it done at my
leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to take care of
it.
On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming it isn't
the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years, with the last
year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years fully
warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I could wait at
least another year. The general rule I've heard is to replace a
battery a year before the warranty expires.
I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing heat of
Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that very cold
temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car batteries.
Re: When should I change the battery?
"Jason Hsu" <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote
>I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles
>and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one
> hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
I agree. My reading indicates an older battery puts strain
on the alternator.
> Some people say
> that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit
> longer to
> start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice.
I too say I can tell this with my 91 Civic (original owner).
In fact, in 2000 before I knew too much about the
alternator, charging, and battery systems, I noted that the
car had been starting with difficulty for several days prior
to it dying so much that it would not start the car.
My 91 Civic is on its fourth battery, though I will likely
replace it pre-emptively sometime late this year.
Do the five checks listed at
http :// honda.lioness.googlepages,com /battery%26alternatortips
to get a handle on how your system is doing. If the battery
voltage is over 12.5 volts with the engine off and no
electrical loads (like lights), it's probably fine. If it
has been jumped a few times, consider replacing it
pre-emptively.
> Even if I knew I would
> notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it
> done at my
> leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to
> take care of
> it.
>
> On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming
> it isn't
> the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years,
> with the last
> year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years
> fully
> warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I
> could wait at
> least another year. The general rule I've heard is to
> replace a
> battery a year before the warranty expires.
>
> I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing
> heat of
> Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that
> very cold
> temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car
> batteries.
The heat's by far the worst.
"Jason Hsu" <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote
>I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles
>and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one
> hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
I agree. My reading indicates an older battery puts strain
on the alternator.
> Some people say
> that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit
> longer to
> start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice.
I too say I can tell this with my 91 Civic (original owner).
In fact, in 2000 before I knew too much about the
alternator, charging, and battery systems, I noted that the
car had been starting with difficulty for several days prior
to it dying so much that it would not start the car.
My 91 Civic is on its fourth battery, though I will likely
replace it pre-emptively sometime late this year.
Do the five checks listed at
http :// honda.lioness.googlepages,com /battery%26alternatortips
to get a handle on how your system is doing. If the battery
voltage is over 12.5 volts with the engine off and no
electrical loads (like lights), it's probably fine. If it
has been jumped a few times, consider replacing it
pre-emptively.
> Even if I knew I would
> notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it
> done at my
> leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to
> take care of
> it.
>
> On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming
> it isn't
> the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years,
> with the last
> year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years
> fully
> warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I
> could wait at
> least another year. The general rule I've heard is to
> replace a
> battery a year before the warranty expires.
>
> I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing
> heat of
> Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that
> very cold
> temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car
> batteries.
The heat's by far the worst.
Re: When should I change the battery?
"Jason Hsu" <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote in message
news:a0342c94-7802-4296-9717-dc73a6fbac62@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups,com ...
>I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad. Some people say
> that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit longer to
> start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice. Even if I knew I would
> notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it done at my
> leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to take care of
> it.
>
> On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming it isn't
> the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years, with the last
> year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years fully
> warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I could wait at
> least another year. The general rule I've heard is to replace a
> battery a year before the warranty expires.
>
> I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing heat of
> Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that very cold
> temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car batteries.
Sam's Club, $50, done....
"Jason Hsu" <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote in message
news:a0342c94-7802-4296-9717-dc73a6fbac62@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups,com ...
>I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad. Some people say
> that can tell by the fact that they need to crank a bit longer to
> start the car, but I'm not sure I'd notice. Even if I knew I would
> notice and avoided getting stranded, I'd rather get it done at my
> leisure rather than have to drop everything I'm doing to take care of
> it.
>
> On the other hand, the fact that a Honda battery (assuming it isn't
> the original one, which is warrantied for only 3 years, with the last
> year prorated) is warrantied for 100 months (first 3 years fully
> warrantied, remaining term prorated) makes me think I could wait at
> least another year. The general rule I've heard is to replace a
> battery a year before the warranty expires.
>
> I live in Iowa, so I'm not subject to the battery-killing heat of
> Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Tucson. Of course, I've heard that very cold
> temperatures (like last winter) are also bad for car batteries.
Sam's Club, $50, done....
Re: When should I change the battery?
In article
<a0342c94-7802-4296-9717-dc73a6fbac62@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups,com >,
Jason Hsu <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote:
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
Why not?
It's really very simple.
However, you may take your car to any garage and have the battery and
charging system checked at any time. Just do it if you're that freaking
paranoid.
Sheesh. You don't have time in your life to deal with a dead battery
every 5-6 years?
In article
<a0342c94-7802-4296-9717-dc73a6fbac62@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups,com >,
Jason Hsu <jason_hsu@my-deja,com > wrote:
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
Why not?
It's really very simple.
However, you may take your car to any garage and have the battery and
charging system checked at any time. Just do it if you're that freaking
paranoid.
Sheesh. You don't have time in your life to deal with a dead battery
every 5-6 years?
Re: When should I change the battery?
On Jun 18, 3:42 pm, Jason Hsu <jason ...@my-deja,com > wrote:
> I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
snip
Do it now.
You obviously don't want to be inconvenienced by a dead battery. A
replacement will set you back $50 to $75. A small price to pay for
peace of mind.
On Jun 18, 3:42 pm, Jason Hsu <jason ...@my-deja,com > wrote:
> I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
> original battery.
>
> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
snip
Do it now.
You obviously don't want to be inconvenienced by a dead battery. A
replacement will set you back $50 to $75. A small price to pay for
peace of mind.
Re: When should I change the battery?
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 18, 3:42 pm, Jason Hsu <jason_...@my-deja,com > wrote:
>> I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
>> original battery.
>>
>> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
>> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
> snip
>
> Do it now.
> You obviously don't want to be inconvenienced by a dead battery. A
> replacement will set you back $50 to $75. A small price to pay for
> peace of mind.
jeepers - where do you people come from? why would TESTING the freakin'
battery be such a problem? people bleat and complain about gas prices,
yet they're prepared to blindly throw away money because they read of a
guy who read of a guy that had to call aaa? it's freakin' impossible to
convince people to change their timing belt, but prematurely change
their battery? "stand in line folks - we'll be taking your money as
soon as we can!"
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 18, 3:42 pm, Jason Hsu <jason_...@my-deja,com > wrote:
>> I have a 2004 Honda Accord with just over 26 thousand miles and the
>> original battery.
>>
>> Is it time for me to replace the battery yet? On the one hand, I do
>> NOT believe in waiting for the battery to go bad.
> snip
>
> Do it now.
> You obviously don't want to be inconvenienced by a dead battery. A
> replacement will set you back $50 to $75. A small price to pay for
> peace of mind.
jeepers - where do you people come from? why would TESTING the freakin'
battery be such a problem? people bleat and complain about gas prices,
yet they're prepared to blindly throw away money because they read of a
guy who read of a guy that had to call aaa? it's freakin' impossible to
convince people to change their timing belt, but prematurely change
their battery? "stand in line folks - we'll be taking your money as
soon as we can!"
Re: When should I change the battery?
On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
snip
> why would TESTING the freakin'
> battery be such a problem?
the only one having a problem here is you.
as usual.
On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
snip
> why would TESTING the freakin'
> battery be such a problem?
the only one having a problem here is you.
as usual.
Re: When should I change the battery?
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> snip
>> why would TESTING the freakin'
>> battery be such a problem?
>
> the only one having a problem here is you.
> as usual.
hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> snip
>> why would TESTING the freakin'
>> battery be such a problem?
>
> the only one having a problem here is you.
> as usual.
hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
Re: When should I change the battery?
On Jun 19, 10:50 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> ACAR wrote:
> > On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> > snip
> >> why would TESTING the freakin'
> >> battery be such a problem?
>
> > the only one having a problem here is you.
> > as usual.
>
> hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
> saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
you seem very happy in your jim beam world.
how nice for you.
if the OP has the $$ to throw at a new battery so he's not bothered
with testing, what's it to you? most drivers just want a reliable
appliance, not an avocation.
and simple battery tests failed to predict my last two battery
failures. so there.
On Jun 19, 10:50 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> ACAR wrote:
> > On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
> > snip
> >> why would TESTING the freakin'
> >> battery be such a problem?
>
> > the only one having a problem here is you.
> > as usual.
>
> hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
> saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
you seem very happy in your jim beam world.
how nice for you.
if the OP has the $$ to throw at a new battery so he's not bothered
with testing, what's it to you? most drivers just want a reliable
appliance, not an avocation.
and simple battery tests failed to predict my last two battery
failures. so there.
Re: When should I change the battery?
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 19, 10:50 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>> ACAR wrote:
>>> On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>>> snip
>>>> why would TESTING the freakin'
>>>> battery be such a problem?
>>> the only one having a problem here is you.
>>> as usual.
>> hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
>> saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
>
> you seem very happy in your jim beam world.
> how nice for you.
>
> if the OP has the $$ to throw at a new battery so he's not bothered
> with testing, what's it to you? most drivers just want a reliable
> appliance, not an avocation.
i advocate reliability! that's why i advocate testing!
>
> and simple battery tests failed to predict my last two battery
> failures. so there.
>
"simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
which should be several seconds.
afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
damaged in transit.
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 19, 10:50 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>> ACAR wrote:
>>> On Jun 19, 8:34 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>>> snip
>>>> why would TESTING the freakin'
>>>> battery be such a problem?
>>> the only one having a problem here is you.
>>> as usual.
>> hmmm, so lack of common sense and lack of logic beats saving money and
>> saving resources. i think i've got it now. thanks for the heads up.
>
> you seem very happy in your jim beam world.
> how nice for you.
>
> if the OP has the $$ to throw at a new battery so he's not bothered
> with testing, what's it to you? most drivers just want a reliable
> appliance, not an avocation.
i advocate reliability! that's why i advocate testing!
>
> and simple battery tests failed to predict my last two battery
> failures. so there.
>
"simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
which should be several seconds.
afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
damaged in transit.
Re: When should I change the battery?
On Jun 20, 9:13 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>snip
>
> "simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
> will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
> that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
> which should be several seconds.
>
> afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
> damaged in transit.
right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to properly
test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to have bought
a new one.
On Jun 20, 9:13 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>snip
>
> "simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
> will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
> that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
> which should be several seconds.
>
> afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
> damaged in transit.
right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to properly
test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to have bought
a new one.
Re: When should I change the battery?
"ACAR" <dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo,com > wrote
> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to
> properly
> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to
> have bought
> a new one.
Plus, with an older battery, he risks accelerating the aging
of the alternator, translating to bucks as well.
"ACAR" <dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo,com > wrote
> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to
> properly
> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to
> have bought
> a new one.
Plus, with an older battery, he risks accelerating the aging
of the alternator, translating to bucks as well.
Re: When should I change the battery?
Elle wrote:
> "ACAR" <dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo,com > wrote
>> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to
>> properly
>> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to
>> have bought
>> a new one.
>
> Plus, with an older battery, he risks accelerating the aging
> of the alternator, translating to bucks as well.
yet another reason to test!
Elle wrote:
> "ACAR" <dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo,com > wrote
>> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to
>> properly
>> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to
>> have bought
>> a new one.
>
> Plus, with an older battery, he risks accelerating the aging
> of the alternator, translating to bucks as well.
yet another reason to test!
Re: When should I change the battery?
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 20, 9:13 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>> snip
>>
>> "simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
>> will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
>> that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
>> which should be several seconds.
>>
>> afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
>> damaged in transit.
>
> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to properly
> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to have bought
> a new one.
most places, if you take it to the place where you get your car serviced
regularly, they'll test it, wait for it, for *free*!!! whoopee!
ACAR wrote:
> On Jun 20, 9:13 am, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>> snip
>>
>> "simple"? volt meters are not battery testers. proper battery testers
>> will load the battery at, say, 100A, and monitor not only voltage under
>> that load, but how the voltage holds during the duration of the test,
>> which should be several seconds.
>>
>> afterall, it's not like you can't get new batteries that are dud or
>> damaged in transit.
>
> right, so by the time the OP spends the time and money to properly
> test his 4-year old battery, he'll have invested enough to have bought
> a new one.
most places, if you take it to the place where you get your car serviced
regularly, they'll test it, wait for it, for *free*!!! whoopee!
Re: When should I change the battery?
On Jun 20, 10:08 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>
> most places, if you take it to the place where you get your car serviced
> regularly, they'll test it, wait for it, for *free*!!! whoopee!
for most of us, time is money and shop hours are our normal working
hours.
and some of us don't have access to free services.
but thanks for your concern about saving $15 bucks (an additional year
from the battery)
On Jun 20, 10:08 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example,net > wrote:
>
> most places, if you take it to the place where you get your car serviced
> regularly, they'll test it, wait for it, for *free*!!! whoopee!
for most of us, time is money and shop hours are our normal working
hours.
and some of us don't have access to free services.
but thanks for your concern about saving $15 bucks (an additional year
from the battery)
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