Interstate batteries

Forum Members,
Off the subject a bit, but have a question about the best auto battery. Have had an Interstate battery in my Toyota for 3 years and it is giving me trouble. I am getting the pro rated spiel and am not a happy camper. Interstate batteries are not cheap and if I do not get satisfaction I will not purchase another one:( Any advice on a better choice? Any and all thoughts welcome.
Mr. T. Minnesota
 
Now days hard to get a good battery wit ha good true warranty on them. Years ago Wal-Mart had a good warranty but not any more. As for the intestate I have NEVER had one that I was happy with. Sorry can not tell you where to look but now days things are not made like they once where
 
Had a WalMart battery die; man in the auto dept. said that he could not warranty it as it was a warranty replacement battery.

I drove to the next WalMart, manager there did some calculations and gave me a new battery with a new warranty for $40.

If you can't get fair treatment at one store, go on to the next one.
 
I have given up going to Wal-Mart and buying then China junk. Boots that do not last 2 months for $40. Or other such stuff. Last battery I tried to deal with a warranty they said sorry 2 year free replacement is up so no more warranty at all. Also blew a Wal-Mart tire that I had road hazard on and they tried not to warranty it but I raised Cain and got it on warranty
 
Explaining the warranty of a Interstate battery is difficult however they are not different from most other makers. When you buy an interstate battery the dealer has about three price levels. You more than likely bought off the second layer or not full retail. The adjustment of the battery is adjusted back to full retail . If the battery is more than 3 years old most time it is cheaper to just buy another. we run about 145 batteries here at this operation and interstate seems to give just about as good service as NAPA and some of the others. I always thought if I had a 60 month battery and it failed after 30 months I should get a new one for half price but it does not work that way.
 
interstate is agood batery but my interstate salesman is not good at all about adjusting batterys. thats why i get my batterys from fisher auto parts . my 2002 f150 still has the battery that come in it if that tells u anything
 
WV,
Glad to hear you have had a good experience with the Interstate. Did some research and figured out the Interstate in the car is about 25 months old. Have decided to go with an OEM Toyota battery which costs a little more than an up graded Interstate. Have had very good luck the Toyota batteries-one was 8 years old before it died. Marriage insurance, it is the wife's car:)
Mr. T. Minnesota
 
Have never used an Interstate Battery but have had REAL GOOD LUCK with NAPA (dry cell) is what I call them, but NAPA calls them gel cells. They never just go dead, they just get weak and won't hold a full charge. I just replaced one that I bought in 2002, so that's 12 years, and it just is getting weak, that's why I replaced it. I don't know what sizes they come in (amp hr. rating), so you could use them on large diesel engines. They are EXPENSIVE !!! One for my car cost close to $200.00 but 12 years is a long time. Also aerobatic aircraft us gel cells and they get a lot of use. Hope this helps.
 
Johnson Controls makes most of the batteries sold in the US. Your favorite (or least favorite)brand is probably included :)
 
Well in my experience over the last 5 or so years RUN DON'T WALK away from Deere. I used to swear by Deere batteries now all I do is swear at them.

Have been switching to Interstate when the Deere ones went bad out of warranty.

BTW as far as pricing I did compare when replacing in my Semi. Set from Deere was gonna be around $600 Set from Interstate was either $420 or $480. Don't remember which but needed to check with the dealer to make sure he charged me for all three.

JM2CW

jt
 
Interstate does not make batteries. They just order them from Johnson Controls, just like Walmart does. Same with many OEM batteries from Honda, Subaru, etc. I've done fine with the ones I buy at Walmart.
 
When buying wet and charged, buy the most recent you can find (most shelf batteries are tagged - Wal-Mart is good at this). If someone else is handling the pick, check the fill date (not the install date chads). Batteries are good up to about six/seven years after initial charging - less, in stressful climes.
I used to try to find them dry, then have them filled and charged at that time, but few do this anymore.
Since I started paying attention, I usually get my six, then simply swap them out as soon as there is an issue.
Advance, AutoZone, Wal-Mart, et al have all worked fine (most ARE made by the same outfit or two and made the same way), so price determines my final choice.
Gels are a different animal, but even those start "dying" as soon as they are charged.
 
I have real good luck with any battery I use, the secret is to fully charge them before you put them in your unit. Alternators were not made to deep charge a battery, just maintain the charge in it, sure they will mostly charge up a low battery.
 
I have a MF TO35 with a six volt battery installed maybe 15-20 years back. Maintenance caps on the top. When new, I added VX-6 battery additive and that puppy keeps going and going and going! I charge it each Spring before I use it. It was not a name brand battery, but has served me well. Now everythings sealed and cheap!
 
You sure the battery is the trouble,check that no small light is staying on like in the trunk or glove box etc,is yours gas or diesel,a tip for an easy start is before you stop the engine put off all lights,heater and radio,run the engine for a few minutes at 1000 rpm,that will bring the battery up full and can make the difference go or no go in the morning,seems to me generic batteries last as long as big brand name ones.
AJ
 
AJ,
Thanks for the reply. Some things happened since I thought I would trade it in for an OEM battery. Cleaned the positive post and thought it would clear up the problem. It did not. Yesterday after running to town, ten miles, parked it in front of the garage. Hours later the dash was completely out of sync. Drove it in the garage yesterday and it would not turn over this morning. Checked voltage and it registered slightly above 12 volts. Tried to charge it this morning and it would not take a charge, ammeter fluttered close to zero. The battery is now at a Goodyear dealership, Interstate center. They are going to give it a 24 to 48 hour sulphate removal make over!! They may give me a new battery because of the one month over the 2 year replacement warranty. If they do not do this I will not purchase another Interstate battery. I have worked with wet cell batteries since 1964 and will ask all the right questions upon final resolution. Appreciate any and all thoughts.
Mr. T. Minnesota
 
Yes, VX-6 is designed to ease sulication and actually bring back a dead battery to new life. I bought several tubes from the JC Whitney Catalog several years back,so it should still be available. I know they sponsor A NASCAR team also.It improves storage capacity and is said to facilitate battery performance to 30 degrees below zero. Since most new batteries are sealed, you can't squirt it in each cell, but I'm gonna give it a shot in my Harley battery since they still use caps.
 
I don't buy ANYTHING from WALMART.

The best batteries are CARQUEST batteries. I just took one out of my tractor that was ten years old. it was still working. My sister wanted a new battery in her car so I put her 5 year old battery in my tractor and traded in my ten year old battery.

I have never had a carquest battery that didn't last at least 7 years.
 

Yes, Die Hard batteries are available. I bought two over the last few years for vehicles. I bought them from KMART and have had good luck.
DWF
 
John deere batteries are a joke. dad bought two. One went bad in two months. Took it to get it adjusted. John Deere charged MORE to adjust the battery than he paid for it.
 
Well you maybe have a MoPar battery , As the one in the War Dept's 2003 Durango is the org. . In other words it is over 12 years old and still starting it each and every morning . It is a group 27 and still going strong , In the fiftytwo years of driving and all the cars trucks tractors dozers combines or anything else with and engine i have never had one go over eight years. when this one bites the dust i am going to have it Bronzed and mounted . I will not even raise a voice when it does die and i have to drag the Durango out of the garage so i can change it on a forty degree below 0 morning . Or if it dies at the far end of her Service unit area and i have to go on a road call.
 
My 06 Dakota still has it's original battery in it and makes several starts a day. I had a '91 Chev 1/2 ton that still had it's original Delco in it when I traded the truck off in '98.
 

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