Poll: New Battery Required?

[Wilkstar]

I have a 2005 with 185K and had to get a new battery. Everyone I talk to says that a battery should last more than 4 years. I think my 2002 Protege (100k) still has the original battery even!

[plontoc]

If putting in the new battery started your car that previously didn't start, then I would say YES...it was required. Also, keep in mind that you have 185K on the 3 and only 100k of use in the Protege. I think its fair to assume that there was much more use on the replaced battery.

[cwp_sedan]

Batteries won't last forever. They should last a while but it's all a hit or miss.

I had a battery that just went in my old car that was over 10 years old. It was used in 3 different cars. My brother had one that lasted about 3.5 years and then it was no good.

[gabbygenier]

get a good brand one and itll last forever, if you have to buy one, might as well.
like cwp mentioned, they wont last forever, its a hit and miss. ive seen a stock 3 batt die after 3 months and mazda did not warranty it so ya

also do you run a system and stuff when you have issues with the lights and power steering(other thread)

[1flycdnM3]

my battery lasted about 2.5 years and replaced it with a "red top" for about $120! This should last me FOREVER as i did alot of research on "dry cell batteries" and some friends of mine have had them for 10 years too and never replaced them. worth every penny.

[Wilkstar]

get a good brand one and itll last forever, if you have to buy one, might as well.
like cwp mentioned, they wont last forever, its a hit and miss. ive seen a stock 3 batt die after 3 months and mazda did not warranty it so ya

also do you run a system and stuff when you have issues with the lights and power steering(other thread)

Yes I am starting to see a trend. When I run A/C and Radio, the symptoms begin. Turn them off quickly and things run normally. Wait to turn them off and power steering light goes on and off a few times, and eventually the engine light come on. Codes indicate "network fault" to Power Steering, and "no communication" with speedo so lack of power to guages makes sense. I was just thinking that these electrical problems may have prematurely killed my batters. Cheers

[gabbygenier]

then its definery your battery. i had that issue (all same things were wrong) when my battery was dead. but i left the car sit for months at a time so it would go dead.

one thing to try if you didnt yet is to completely charge ur batt overnight. might be dead but if you dont drive much it wont make enough power to charge it. i had that issue cause i was too anxious to go for a ride haha.

[Halogen]

I replaced the OEM (Panasonic) battery at 80,000km, been running a Canadian Tire Eliminator 12v with no problems, good battery with 4-5 year warranty. I would have bought an AC Delco if I hadn't been in the situation I was in at the time. Oh well, small investment for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your car can live on.