I have a 2015 XLT - only 60k miles. It has the original battery and not showing any signs of failure. I have had other cars where the batteries were fine one day and the next day were shot. I am planning a road trip in a few weeks, wondering if I should change it now as preventive maintenance. At 7 years old, seems like I am pressing my luck with the original battery.

what are you getting out of your batteries? Any recommendations for my next battery?

thanks.

 

Seven years? I'd have replaced that 2 years ago and again in three more.

Three to five years is the average life of a car/truck battery.

Going longer than that, even if under perfect conditions, means risking a failure that comes without notice.

 

I got 8 years out of mine. Take it and get it tested. Testing is free at most places. I never replace things that don't need to be replaced.

 

x2, it would have been replaced by now

 

Assuming something doesn't need to be replaced is exactly how people break down in the middle of nowhere with zero advance notice.

 

I often get 7 to 8 years out of aftermarket batteries. A few weeks ago, I replaced one that was 8 years 3 months old. It was still starting the truck, but was weak on cold mornings.

Seeing that many things are hard to find now, I would probably replace a 7 year old battery before a long trip..

All my vehicles have jumper cables. Nearly all of them have Audew jump starters in them. I recently discovered the Audew starters.. I am impressed. I jumped two vehicles with one last week. That unit is still showing a 94% charge....These units are great, especially if you want to stretch your battery life out, but don't want to get stranded.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to replace a seven year old battery.

If its the one part you replace before it fails its the battery. Who the hell wants to be stranded on the side of the road, pulling out $300 plus dollars to get a battery delivered and installed for you when you could have done it at a time and place of your choosing at far less cost?

 

Compared to most maintenance on these trucks and the myriad of problems that a poor performing battery can cause, just replace it. The price is minor. I understand that batteries tend to last longer now than in the past. I used to replace them before the third winter and did not have any issues with them. Have bumped that up to before the fourth winter. Continue without issues.

 

Get a new battery, you are on borrowed time! JMO

 

Follow the maintenance schedule. It's in the owner's manuals, and available free from Ford as a PDF. Note that replacing the battery is NOT on it. Why do you think that is? If you think it's because Ford is stupid, why own/drive their vehicles? If you think Ford knows how to build a vehicle, trust them to know how to maintain it, and follow their advice. Not a bunch of nervous nellies on the interwebz.