How long should a battery last

andyf0722 · 12-18-2007, 08:28 AM

I still have my original battery in my 2000 4Runner. I check the eye occasionally and it always good. I haven't had any problems with starting but 7 years seems like a long time. Am I tempting fate or just lucky?

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bob200587 · 12-18-2007, 08:57 AM

That is a long time, but I've had one that was in my 4runner in '01 or '02. I got an optima, and put that battery on the shelf for a while, then when the batt. in the GMC went out we put the one from the runner in it. It's been in there ever since. 5 or 6 years at least and not a problem. It's probably kick the bucket soon though...

frodin1 · 12-18-2007, 09:05 AM

I just put a new one in my 2000. It still wasn't completely gone yet but I put a meter on it and it was only showing 11volts in the cab with it off. It was sounding a little week on startup also. I went with the Costco battery. It doesn't matter were you go lately the price of lead has gone up, thus driving up the cost of batteries. What used to be a $40 -$50 dollar battery is now $70 bucks. Optimas were around $110 now $149.

eightnine · 12-18-2007, 09:06 AM

the one in my 1st gen is at least 10 years old and hasnt given any problems yet

to4menon4u · 12-18-2007, 09:27 AM

your lucky to get away with 3-4 years with an ultima out here in teh desert because it gets so frikin hot in the summer the plates in the battery expand and contract and move around untill the plates touch then its no good. i reccomend an ultima ( good warranty )

Ringmaster · 12-18-2007, 09:41 AM

The original in my 99 made it for 8 years before biting the bullet.

Both the heat of summer, and the cold of winter is when a bad battery will usually take a dive.

andyf0722 · 12-18-2007, 01:59 PM

I should add that I am in the northeast so I don't have the heat of the desert but do have the cold of the winters. It has is parked in the garage for the last 5+ years.

deserttoy84 · 12-19-2007, 10:36 AM

normal battery life is about 5 years. If you plan on going on any long trips i would just go ahead and replace the battery. I would just make sure to get a warrantied battery like die hard or interstate.

CJM · 12-19-2007, 11:06 AM

Avg life of a battery is 3-5 years give or take a few here or there. I seen bad ones a year old, 3 months old, 10 years old, etc. I work as an AAA certified battery service tech.

A few things happen to batteries:
They develop a bad cell:
- Shorted cell due to failure of the separator between the positive and negative plates
- Broken internal connections due to corrosion
- Broken plates due to vibration and corrosion

Also
- Low electrolyte
- Cracked or broken case
- Broken terminals
- Sulfation after prolonged disuse.

But what basically kills a starting battery is alot of discharge and recharge cycles. If your an idiot and dont drive your car alot or leave the lights on like 20x a month the battery wont last..

Do not ever go by those dumb eyes on the battery that mimic a hydrometer, they only measure one cell..not multiple cells. A hydrometer will measure the cells, all should be within the proper scale.

Generally speaking, if you dont do anything to discharge and recharge the battery alot and it doesnt get a bad cell expect about 5 years..

Man4God · 12-19-2007, 11:13 AM

My old Cobra's battery was 8 years old before I sold it. OEM Motorcraft. Unbelievable life.

bigarms23 · 12-19-2007, 11:38 AM

I have my optima for 10years if you want to keep it fine or you can change it

02SE · 12-19-2007, 12:49 PM

I've had my Optima deep-cycle yellow top, for just over ten years now. It still works great.

andrewmitch · 08-31-2008, 07:37 AM

what about the 2005 Runner Batteries. I can't find any documentaiton on these. Typically they are 7 year batteries but I am wondering if they have Super Long Life Batteries - like 10 years??

Tool Pants · 08-31-2008, 01:42 PM

I have a 1988 pickup that I have owned for 19 years. I would say 4 years for a lead acid battery and you got your moneys worth. Longer than that you are lucky and living on borrowed time.

In my opinion the warranty thing is a gimmick. Has nothing to do with the quality of the battery. Same battery can be sold under different brand names, but the warranty is longer on the battery that usually costs more.

Go to Lowes or Home Depot and price a water heater with a 5 year warranty vs. 7 years. Same exact same water heater. You pay more for the one with the 7 year warranty, because consumers will pay more.

The company that makes stuff like this is smarter than the average consumer.

algranger · 08-31-2008, 02:18 PM

when this one does die i would recomend an optima andif you have a system and lights and stuff id get the yellow top i can run my system with an 1100 watt amp for 10 hours at work and i have never had a problem starting after that plus it has a great warranty

cosmophonic12 · 01-29-2009, 01:12 PM

auto batteries last about THREE good summers in phx.

Paul H. · 02-02-2009, 02:48 PM

I have no idea how old my battery is but after camping and a night out in -3F, it started right up with no problem. I am thinking that it is at least 10.

CLin9383 · 02-02-2009, 03:04 PM

just replaced my autocraft silver battery with Optima 34R after 4.5 years

12-18-2007, 08:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
bob200587 Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,508	That is a long time, but I've had one that was in my 4runner in '01 or '02. I got an optima, and put that battery on the shelf for a while, then when the batt. in the GMC went out we put the one from the runner in it. It's been in there ever since. 5 or 6 years at least and not a problem. It's probably kick the bucket soon though... __________________ <===This picture is me and my 4runner when I was about 4 years old. 87 4runner 4x4 SR5 22RE ARB Bull Bar, 31X10.50 Mastercraft M/T's, Stock 4.10 Gears, Flowmaster Muffler, LCE Header AISIN Manual Hubs, Marlin Crawler Sliders Dead motor 3.4 swap or something else to come

12-18-2007, 09:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
frodin1 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOW, Havasu! Posts: 1,072	I just put a new one in my 2000. It still wasn't completely gone yet but I put a meter on it and it was only showing 11volts in the cab with it off. It was sounding a little week on startup also. I went with the Costco battery. It doesn't matter were you go lately the price of lead has gone up, thus driving up the cost of batteries. What used to be a $40 -$50 dollar battery is now $70 bucks. Optimas were around $110 now $149. __________________ Pioneer HU, Audiobahn 10.100watt Sub, Sirius, JBL comp speakers in all four doors, Cobra NWWXST CB W, Quadwrap, Wolo Air horn, K&N FIPK,Tokico Trekmasters,Tundra TRDs, Revtec spacers w/extended studs,Energy bushings on steering rack /front swaybar,SS front diff. drop kit w/skid plate mod,OME 890 Rears with OEM LC Tokicos,Ebrake ext. bracket, BFG AT/KO's, ProComp 1078 Alloys, Magnaflow SS muffler, Hayden 1678 Tranny Cooler, 85watt Amber fogs, 7 Way R/V jack for the boat.

12-18-2007, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
eightnine Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 934	the one in my 1st gen is at least 10 years old and hasnt given any problems yet __________________ 1989 Toyota 4runner Special Edition - Rebuilt 22re bored .20 over, 5 speed swap, 4.30 gears, - Magnaflow Performance Exhaust with Magnaflow Hi Flow Catalytic Converter, Monroe Sensa-Tracs Shocks all around, 4runner AALs, Checkerplate front skid, Softopper , Clear Corners and Turn Signals, Eagle Alloy Rims with 31x10.5x15 M/T tires, 2 12" JBL Subwoofers / MTX AMP, Pioneer Premiere Speakers, JVC KD-G730 MP3/CD/Bluetooth

12-18-2007, 09:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
to4menon4u Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 141	your lucky to get away with 3-4 years with an ultima out here in teh desert because it gets so frikin hot in the summer the plates in the battery expand and contract and move around untill the plates touch then its no good. i reccomend an ultima ( good warranty ) __________________ 318,000 miles thats all i gotsta say 90' 2 door 3.0 32 11.5 15 <- no lift no rub it even fixes itself!!! ( it also breaks itself )

12-18-2007, 09:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ringmaster Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spokane Valley Washington Posts: 814	The original in my 99 made it for 8 years before biting the bullet. Both the heat of summer, and the cold of winter is when a bad battery will usually take a dive. __________________ 99 4Runner, 3.4, 5 spd., Manually shifted E-Locker, 4:30 gears, 285/75/16 MTR's, Airbox mod through the bottom of the inner fender.

12-18-2007, 01:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
andyf0722 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Roslindale, MA Posts: 15	I should add that I am in the northeast so I don't have the heat of the desert but do have the cold of the winters. It has is parked in the garage for the last 5+ years. __________________ 2000 4Runner SR5

12-19-2007, 10:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
deserttoy84 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 862	normal battery life is about 5 years. If you plan on going on any long trips i would just go ahead and replace the battery. I would just make sure to get a warrantied battery like die hard or interstate. __________________ 1984 toyota sr5 4x4 22r w/ weber 32/36 Pro comp 4" front springs & 3" rear downey spring Home made On-board air system V6 4.88 lock rites F & R Bilstein 7100 reservoir shocks

12-19-2007, 11:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,565	Avg life of a battery is 3-5 years give or take a few here or there. I seen bad ones a year old, 3 months old, 10 years old, etc. I work as an AAA certified battery service tech. A few things happen to batteries: They develop a bad cell: - Shorted cell due to failure of the separator between the positive and negative plates - Broken internal connections due to corrosion - Broken plates due to vibration and corrosion Also - Low electrolyte - Cracked or broken case - Broken terminals - Sulfation after prolonged disuse. But what basically kills a starting battery is alot of discharge and recharge cycles. If your an idiot and dont drive your car alot or leave the lights on like 20x a month the battery wont last.. Do not ever go by those dumb eyes on the battery that mimic a hydrometer, they only measure one cell..not multiple cells. A hydrometer will measure the cells, all should be within the proper scale. Generally speaking, if you dont do anything to discharge and recharge the battery alot and it doesnt get a bad cell expect about 5 years.. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

12-19-2007, 11:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Man4God Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 363	My old Cobra's battery was 8 years old before I sold it. OEM Motorcraft. Unbelievable life. __________________ '97 4Runner Limited 4x4 w/Locker Grey (Red & Blue) Wire Mod 2Lo Mod Tundra DC Non-TRD front with stock Tundra Tokicos (2.5") Downey 3" rear lift with Monroe Reflex Shocks (Thanks Chaplain!) Soldier for Christ.

12-19-2007, 11:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
bigarms23 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: paso robles ca Posts: 1,111	I have my optima for 10years if you want to keep it fine or you can change it __________________ 88 4.3v6 4runner duals fullwidths and 37mtrs and a happy owner

12-19-2007, 12:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
02SE Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 251	I've had my Optima deep-cycle yellow top, for just over ten years now. It still works great.

08-31-2008, 07:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
andrewmitch Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 153	what about the 2005 Runner Batteries. I can't find any documentaiton on these. Typically they are 7 year batteries but I am wondering if they have Super Long Life Batteries - like 10 years?? __________________ Andrew from Connecticut 2005 4Runner SR5 V8, 5-Speed Auto, All Wheel Drive, 17" Rims, Black/Grey After Market: K40 Radar/Laser Detector/Diffuser Front (Twin Sensors) & Rear (built in). Python GPS Stolen Device Tracker. Parrot Hands-Free Cell Kit. Back Up Sensors. Tinted Windows. Security Box inside center console and bolted to frame. Nokian WR Tires (265/70/17) Bilstein HD Shocks (Front & Rear) *TRD Front Brake Pads 2005 4Runner SR5 V8 AWD

08-31-2008, 01:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tool Pants Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 150	I have a 1988 pickup that I have owned for 19 years. I would say 4 years for a lead acid battery and you got your moneys worth. Longer than that you are lucky and living on borrowed time. In my opinion the warranty thing is a gimmick. Has nothing to do with the quality of the battery. Same battery can be sold under different brand names, but the warranty is longer on the battery that usually costs more. Go to Lowes or Home Depot and price a water heater with a 5 year warranty vs. 7 years. Same exact same water heater. You pay more for the one with the 7 year warranty, because consumers will pay more. The company that makes stuff like this is smarter than the average consumer.

08-31-2008, 02:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
algranger Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Here in the PNW Posts: 3,372	when this one does die i would recomend an optima andif you have a system and lights and stuff id get the yellow top i can run my system with an 1100 watt amp for 10 hours at work and i have never had a problem starting after that plus it has a great warranty __________________ . . . DIRTY DIESEL She aint purrin, She's damn sure growlin . . . .

01-29-2009, 01:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
cosmophonic12 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 69	auto batteries last about THREE good summers in phx. __________________ 2000 4Runner 3.4 SR5 4x4 5-Speed 105K, Revo's 694 tires w/2006 trd rims 2001 tacoma 3.4 prerunner trd, auto, x-cab, 95K 4runner items replaced : both rear axle seals Denso starter @ 82k TPS Sensor @ 78k Denso alternator @ 103k Spare tire carrier @ 104k Tacoma items replaced starter @ 11k oil pan gasket @ 10k TPS Sensor @ 90K SOLD 2003 Toyota tacoma prerunner std cab, short bedtraded to dealer 2003 Toyota tacoma trd, 5-speed, x-cab, 4x4major wreck, traded to dealer

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02-02-2009, 03:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
CLin9383 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,410	just replaced my autocraft silver battery with Optima 34R after 4.5 years __________________ 1996 Limited - OME 881/906 w/comfort shox \| Deckplate \| Hayden 1678 \| 265/75R16 Revos \| Koyo A1998 bypassed \| Husky liners \| Optima R34 Red Top \| '99 Cupholders \| Rear diff breather mod 2012 Limited -

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