What are other peoples experience with them? I have been thru a couple of their 2 year free replacement batteries in the last year in my Fiero. Thanks

I have one in my grand prix and its been good to go. going on 4 years.

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ARCHIES JUNK IS FASTER THAN SHAUNNA'S JUNK
12.3 is faster than a 13.2

Maybe its because I don't drive the car much.

I've purchased several of the cheapest Ever Start Group 75 size batteries Wal Mart carries. All of them have lasted at least 6 years - the longest was 10 years.

[This message has been edited by FrugalFiero (edited 01-22-2015).]

I've had good luck with them (I think they are Johnson batteries but it might depend on the size.)

If you don't drive the car often that can be a factor. You get around 3 complete discharges before it's wrecked. If you maintain it, it should last 5+ years. Just don't let it drop under 50% for more than a week.

I think still made by Johnson Controls... Same maker making many name brands.
I use EverStart Maxx.

See my Cave, Battery

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

I buy mine at Advance Auto becaue I can save money. I use an online coupon, order it and then pick it up. Saves me about $40 on average. Last battery from them lasted 7 years. No complains with their products. I heard Walmart batteries are good, FYI.

[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 01-22-2015).]

The Ever Start's (south) are still listed as "best buy" by Consumer Reports at $80 list. They are no longer "maintenance free" so you can add water when needed. The down side for the Fiero IMO is that it was designed for a battery with a higher charge voltage so you may have to add water more often.

The "north" version of the same battery isn't recommended nor rated as high as the "south" one (68 vs 78 out of 100 points). Couple of bad reviews of the "north" battery online too. IDK what the difference is in the batteries.

Mine isn't driven much either but I leave a battery maintainer on it for longer storage times. I think even a good battery will discharge in a Fiero if it sits for a couple of weeks.

I will never buy another one from Walmart. I have gone through three in my Astro and two in my Volvo. During all replacement incidents the Walmart staff has given me nothing but grief. They are also claiming that the 2-year warranty only covers one replacement in that time. Meaning if I buy one and it fails in the first week, I go get a replacement - my warranty is now fulfilled and if that replacement battery dies within a week, too frickin' bad, buy another one (meaning that it had a one-week warranty, not a two year warranty). I had to go as high as the District Manager the last time to get mine replaced. I guess I'm just used to the no-hassle warranty that we had when I worked at Autozone, I don't know. Anyway, I now buy my batteries at Tractor Supply - they have a better price than Walmart even and they stand behind their warranty...

I have had good and bad luck with Chinamart's Neverstart batteries. Some have lasted years in the Fiero and others haven't lasted one year in others like our Burb, but I do agree they are now giving you crap about returning a second battery if it dies after the first one was returned. I also had to go to a DM to get one returned and I even had to have the vehicles charging system checked out before they would give me a third battery. They did do that free of charge but it was an added inconvenience because I did not have the Burb with me, hey the fkn battery died, how did they expect me to get it there with a dead battery. So luckily I only live around the corner and brought it back, jumped it with the Fiero and drove it back and showed them there was nothing wrong with my truck charging system.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't



Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

I used to work in the Walmart tire shop, and did about 5-10 batteries a day, depending on the season. (My) Wal Mart was so easy with the warranty. As long as your name was in the system as having bought a battery in the past, and the date sticker on the batter wasn't too old, we handed over a new one. No questions asked. In fact we had junk yard guys come in all the time and trade in batteries from wrecks as long as they tested bad (its not hard to fool the system).

The batteries are made by Johnson controls, and you get what you pay for. The more expensive batteries have better warranty's and last longer. The cheaper one year batteries rarly last that long and I would stay away.

[This message has been edited by BlackEmrald (edited 01-22-2015).]

quote Originally posted by theogre: I think still made by Johnson Controls... Same maker making many name brands. I use EverStart Maxx. See my Cave, Battery

Similar to the other thread regarding Luxottica's monopoly on eyeglasses worldwide.

"Johnson Controls entered the battery business in 1978 upon acquiring Globe-Union Incorporated. Globe-Union was a Wisconsin based manufacture of Automotive batteries for both the replacement and OEM markets. Today, Johnson Controls is the largest producer of private label lead acid batteries in North America, and is becoming a leader in Asia and South America. In 2000 Johnson Controls acquired Gylling Optima Batteries AB of Sweden. The Optima Gel Battery is well known for its quality and longevity. Johnson Controls completed the acquisition of German automotive battery maker HOPPECKE Automotive GmbH & Co. The company has a excellent customer base that includes many of Europe’s leading auto manufacturers. Johnson Controls also produce batteries for other applications such as marine, lawn and garden, commercial, motorcycle, wheelchair, and golf cart use. Most consumers have no idea of the size of the battery giant. When people think of Johnson Controls, they think of thermostats for HVAC purposes not batteries. Johnson Controls is not only the largest North American battery manufacture, but they literally control the North American battery market.

Johnson Controls manufactures batteries for the following private labels:

Interstate Battery

(Sears) Die Hard Battery

Duralast Battery

Kirkland Battery

Everstart Battery

Prostart Battery

Johnson controls also makes some or all of these batteries as well.

Acura, Advance Auto Parts, Autocraft, Western Auto, Tough One, Alliance, American Hardware, Ames, Varta, Blains Farm & Fleet, Battery Alliance, Bosch, Carrefour(Europe), Champion, Amara Raja Batteries LTD(Joint venture with Johnson Controls India).


Varta, Optima Batteries, LTH, and Heliar are all battery manufactures owned by Johnson Controls.

Johnson Controls supplies Ford Motor company, Diamler Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu with original equipment batteries. So next time you go and buy a battery, or a automobile chances are its a battery made by Johnson Controls."

http://bestbatterytips.com/...er/johnson-controls/

So much for choices........

I had a meeting 8 months ago to discuss possibly doing some consulting engineering for Johnson Controls at their Tampa, Florida battery plant.
When I walked into the lobby and saw the display of all the different brands of major automotive batteries that they manufacture it made my jaw drop.
I had no idea until that moment that were all made by one company.

Edit to add: Just as a matter of curiosity. If you were to jump over the back fence of Johnson Controls Tampa, Florida battery plant you land on the property of THIS place:



Next time you're on that happy fun-filled family vacation just know that that you are right next door to the lead acid car battery plant !

[This message has been edited by randye (edited 01-22-2015).]

JC bought out Delphi batteries too... OE for GM cars and Freedom brand.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...er_11_reorganization

Ive bought all kinds of brands over the years from cheap ones at Autozone to expensive ones for Mercedes. They pretty much all last around 4 years for me. First time one needs a jump from dying on its own, I just replace it. Now I just buy whatever the cheapest one I can find is. Its usually around the price of a gas fill up, so its cheap enough to replace once a year if you have to...about like an oil change. I pretty much never let any vehicle set for more than a few weeks at most. Parking/ storing them for longer periods kills a vehicle...not just batteries. I think thats why I usually have such great luck with every one of my vehicles. I cant even remember the last breakdown I had from any reason....at least 15 years.

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: I will never buy another one from Walmart. I have gone through three in my Astro and two in my Volvo. During all replacement incidents the Walmart staff has given me nothing but grief. They are also claiming that the 2-year warranty only covers one replacement in that time. Meaning if I buy one and it fails in the first week, I go get a replacement - my warranty is now fulfilled and if that replacement battery dies within a week, too frickin' bad, buy another one (meaning that it had a one-week warranty, not a two year warranty). I had to go as high as the District Manager the last time to get mine replaced. I guess I'm just used to the no-hassle warranty that we had when I worked at Autozone, I don't know. Anyway, I now buy my batteries at Tractor Supply - they have a better price than Walmart even and they stand behind their warranty...

I ran into the same run-around at Advance Auto. I figure the next time I'll just get a cash refund and buy a new one to kick-start the warranty on the new part.

As for batteries, I've had very good luck with Wal-Mart batteries.

[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 01-23-2015).]