View Full Version : Battery life?
marie_kostic
08-02-2010, 10:04 PM
hey all, my general question is how long should my battery last?
I have a mazda3 gt 2007, with 50k on it and my battery sucks, or at least that's a possibility. Maybe it's the alternator?
Anyway I'd expect it to last longer then 50k so could it just be a sucky battery or is it possible to be abused by the previous owner?
Thrizzl3
08-02-2010, 10:11 PM
how does the battery suck lol?
bman13
08-02-2010, 10:21 PM
I honestly thought this was a misplaced phone thread :chuckle
As Phil said, any elaboration on the sucky-ness? lol
marie_kostic
08-02-2010, 10:29 PM
suckyness as in my battery died a few days ago and I needed a boost.... I was there for 10 mins.....
And then today, I turned on the radio but not the engine right away, total of 10 seconds before I tried to start up the car, and it had problem starting up.
JonsMazda
08-02-2010, 10:38 PM
hey all, my general question is how long should my battery last?
I have a mazda3 gt 2007, with 50k on it and my battery sucks, or at least that's a possibility. Maybe it's the alternator?
Anyway I'd expect it to last longer then 50k so could it just be a sucky battery or is it possible to be abused by the previous owner?
My battery is still running fine here, got 75k without any battery issues (Knock on wood), btw I have m3 gt 2007.
Thrizzl3
08-02-2010, 10:40 PM
suckyness as in my battery died a few days ago and I needed a boost.... I was there for 10 mins.....
And then today, I turned on the radio but not the engine right away, total of 10 seconds before I tried to start up the car, and it had problem starting up.
bring it to a dealer for diagnosis
stevenma188
08-02-2010, 10:50 PM
Canadian Tire will also test your battery for you.
Normaly a battery is good for about 5 to 6 years...Another thing is if your only doing short trips with your car then your battery will die all the time casue it's not charging on short trips.
So if your doing short trip go out on a long drive (1 hour or more) and it should be fine after
Donutz
08-03-2010, 08:31 AM
Turning on anything when starting your car; radio, lights, etc, puts undue strain on the battery. The battery on my 2005 started going the winter before last. I had a hard time starting the car even now and then so I switched to a Red Top. I haven't had a problem since then.
Rob23
08-03-2010, 11:56 AM
my dad and i both have 2004 mazda 3s with origonal batteries. never had a problem.
stick a multimeter on it, set it to ohms.
it should read 12.2-12.4ish if the battery is good. now start the engine and test it again.
it should read 14.4ish if the alternator is working properly.
stevenma188
08-03-2010, 02:58 PM
Are you sure u want to be testing resistance and not voltage....?
TheMAN
08-07-2010, 08:42 PM
original battery still going strong here
"refreshed" it in march by topping off electrolyte levels with fresh distilled water, and a good slow charge for 8 hours
TheMAN
08-07-2010, 08:44 PM
Are you sure u want to be testing resistance and not voltage....?
those numbers are the general "good" volt numbers, but what he said about "ohms" is incorrect
DumpInfo
08-07-2010, 11:35 PM
my dad and i both have 2004 mazda 3s with origonal batteries. never had a problem.
+1 same here bro! No issues yet
marie_kostic
08-08-2010, 12:34 AM
I brought it to the dealer, battery was dead, had it changed free of charge. Everything's good now.
Since when are batteries covered under warranty!?
Since when are batteries covered under warranty!?
3 years or 80,000km
TheMAN
08-17-2010, 03:20 PM
somebody hasn't been reading their manual
I brought it to the dealer, battery was dead, had it changed free of charge. Everything's good now.
But the real problem is why was it dead? and why wasn't it being charged?
mazda lover
08-18-2010, 09:15 PM
2005 here, 75,000KM no battery issues here, no electrical mods-add ons etc.
I have a 2005 as well, still original battery with no problems... I have a sound system installed, two amps plus capacitor with no problems (Knock on wood).
MAZDA Kitten
08-19-2010, 10:39 AM
04 with 230k on it original battery! Never had issues starting the car even last winter was fine with a 5 year old battery.
Zoom Zoom Boy
08-24-2010, 01:12 PM
It varies on a lot of factors, but you should easily get a good 5 years out of a battery. I've seen batteries last in excess of 10 years, but after about 7 or 8 years you really should replace them regardless of whether the car starts easily or not. The older the battery and less charge it holds, the more your alternator needs to work to keep it charged and replacing a battery is a lot easier and cheaper than replacing your alternator too.
Takumi616
08-24-2010, 02:24 PM
110k on my 2007 GT, OEM battery and STILL going strong.... yea baby :thumbsup
I have a 2008 Mazda 3. This is the first time this has happened to me. I was away on vacation for 2 weeks and I come back to find that my car is dead. Nothing works, not my key fob, not the lights, everything is dead. I don't think I left anything on or open. I have only 38,000 kms on my car. Mostly city driving but I do go for an hour drive everyonce in a while. I have left my car for days and it was fine, battery was good. I'm reading more and more forums that state the battery is either defective or that I may not be driving it enough for the battery to charge. I'm frustrated as now I am trapped until an underground tow truck can be found to boost me or tow me to dealership.
:bang
mustangboy
08-31-2011, 02:06 AM
I had the same thing happen to me. Went away for vacation and had someone try to start the car after 2 weeks and nothing. I came home a month later and the battery wouldn't hold a charge. Checked the fluid level on the cells. They were completely dry. These batteries need to be maintained. Topped off the battery with some distilled water and charged it over night. No issues since.
kramr
08-31-2011, 09:54 AM
.....and after they test your battery they will tell you that you need a new one, a new water pump, four tires and a complete brake job including calipers........
Canadian Tire will also test your battery for you.
JonsMazda
08-31-2011, 12:59 PM
My battery is still running fine here, got 75k without any battery issues (Knock on wood), btw I have m3 gt 2007.
Running at 85k now, no battery issues.
JaYson
08-31-2011, 02:28 PM
+110,000KM OEM Battery no problems yet.
stevenma188
08-31-2011, 03:16 PM
Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.
Fuyuzora
08-31-2011, 04:16 PM
Far too late to be helpful to the OP, but to anyone who runs into a similar situation:
Consider purchasing a battery charger such as this:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/BatteryAccessories/BatteryChargers/PRD~0111526P/Automatic+Battery+Charger%2C+Certified+6%2B2A/CROSSSELL~0111569%20Motomaster%2BBattery%2BCharger %2Bwith%2B75A%2BEngine%2BStart.jsp?locale=en
Not the fastest in the world, but all you need is a means of trickle-charging enough juice into the battery to start the engine. You can then finish the job yourself by driving around town for a bit (or just leave it to trickle-charge for longer).
Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.
I've jump-started my parents' MX-5 which had a dead battery.
liquidzyklon
08-31-2011, 10:15 PM
Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.My car is 65k on stock battery. I've jumped a Gen8 Honda Civic and a 2002 Honda Civic no problem. My driving consists of 60% highway and 40% city for commute so battery is probably well charged most of the time.
Takumi616
09-01-2011, 12:42 AM
OEM battery still, original owner. 127,000 km and counting. In my garage when I'm at home, underground parking at work. Overtime I guess that would make a difference.... during those cold winters having it parked inside will help your battery life.....:.02
baymoe
09-01-2011, 04:16 PM
I had mine jumpstart a V6 accord, 99 corolla with no issues.
Flagrum_3
09-01-2011, 06:08 PM
6+ years, 164k and have had my audio system almost the whole time.So far original battery is holding on!
_3
shu5892001
09-02-2011, 01:38 PM
Has anyone had experience jump starting other cars with your Mazda? At C7 we tried jumping a GTR with an 09 3 with no luck. The thing started right away when roadside assistance came and used a jumper pack. The exact same thing happened when I tried to jump my BMW with the Mazda. Once again, the BMW started perfectly first try with the jumper pack.
I know for all BMW and big engine V8s, it can not be jumped using other cars. They need those special CAA battery cars with the special huge ass plug
stevenma188
09-02-2011, 03:51 PM
...Even my 20 yr old e30?....
Pokey
09-20-2011, 11:01 AM
my dad and i both have 2004 mazda 3s with origonal batteries. never had a problem.
I have an 05 with the oe battery - but I'm replacing it before the winter as on a buddy's tester it came out as 'marginal'.
Like someone said - take it to crappy tire and in 20 minutes you'll know if it's the battery.
mbooth
09-20-2011, 11:14 AM
i have a 2005 oem batter 124,000 clicks and still working really well no issues
canada man
09-20-2011, 11:18 AM
your battery seems like its dying and seeing how winter is coming best option is to just buy a new one. Also pop open your trunk and take a look to see if you have a sound system installed cause that can be another reason why your battery is draining fast.
Booostin
09-21-2011, 09:11 AM
your battery seems like its dying and seeing how winter is coming best option is to just buy a new one. Also pop open your trunk and take a look to see if you have a sound system installed cause that can be another reason why your battery is draining fast.
What the hell? Wouldnt the OP know if he had a soung system installed?
BigChuck80
09-24-2011, 06:21 PM
I've NEVER had an issue with a sound system draining my battery, but I guess it's because I don't have comp equipment. There are various auto parts (http://www.canpages.ca/business/AB/calgary/automobile-parts-and-supplies-new-retail/91-050200.html) that assist with this, like a capacitor. This may not even be the issue however..
stick a multimeter on it, set it to ohms.
it should read 12.2-12.4ish if the battery is good. now start the engine and test it again.
it should read 14.4ish if the alternator is working properly.
where did you get 14.4 number? currently my battery light is on and I get 13.3 with engine idling.... may be my alternator is on it's way out.....
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