Best batteries????
 

I'm looking for a new battery for my 96 f150. I live in the Midwest where we get a pretty hot summer and a pretty cold winter sometimes. Anyone have any advice on which batteries are good and will not leave me stranded when it's cold outside

Interested. My current battery is from 2008 and it's time for a new one.

optima or interstate

What kind of battery do you have?

For some reason I couldn't find an interstate for my truck and I was initially wanting to go for optima but I've read some really mixed reviews about some people only having them last 1-2 years

Optima red tops used to be the only choice worth looking at when I was a young'n but I have heard that their quality has fallen off in the last decade or so.

Interstates are easily the best. They last decades and are the first choice in marine.


For most of my toys I just go with AutoCraft. Cheap and haven't really had any issues with them. I'll probably get a lot of slack for it but hey if it works it works.

You're going to get subjective answers here. In addition, battery choice in the north is different from the south, and it does matter.

I strongly recommend you review the WARRANTIES of any battery you are thinking of purchasing.

Note also that brands of batteries often change manufacturers, so historical knowledge is useless (Sears DieHard is a prime example). Note also that there are only a few actual manufacturers, and they make different levels of batteries for different brands.

I'm in the Midwest, and when I replace batteries I almost always choose the EverStart Maxx line at Walmart (and I hate Walmart). Why? Warranty.

The EverStart Plus line has a 2 year free replacement warranty. The EverStart Maxx line has a 5 year warranty - 3 years of free replacement and 2 years pro-rated.

For the 1996 F-150 5 liter, you get 750 CCA with the EverStart Plus 65-3 for $99.97 and 850 CCA for the EverStart Maxx MAXX-65N for $109.97.

If you are planning on selling the car in the next year or two, you cannot beat the $48.88 Value Power VP-65, with 1 year free replacement and 650 CCA.

Had good results from the AutoZone Duralast Gold in the '89. First one lasted 11 years, was 4 years into its replacement when I sold the truck. Never any issues from either, well, except for coughing up the cash at time of purchase. IIRC, it now has an 8-year warranty with a 3-year free replacement...?

what is IIRC?