As an ordinary guy tasked with fixin stuff, I am thrilled when any product exceeds my expectations.
This is the car battery in my Chevy. It is an AC delco 6 yr battery.
I bought it on April 3, 2008. It finally died today after 10 years.

I had one in my previous car and it did last the whole 6 years, IIRC.

Shocking! Na na couldn’t resist....nice

All car batteries have their positives and negatives...   


I used to be loyal to Sears Die Hard brand.  They used to be the most dependable, longest lasting brand anywhere.  Over time, it became obvious the batteries were no longer better than comparable brands.  They cost more, and they justified it because they had very long warranty periods.

In the end, they didn't last any longer than cheaper brands.  And the warranty  you paid for wound up saving you nothing after a deeply pro-rated discount toward your next over-priced replacement.  If you didn't buy another overpriced Die Hard, you got no refund on the remaining warranty.

Better to get 2 $30 batteries than a Die Hard.

I used to believe the diehard commercials. It didn't take long to figure out it was all bs.

I used to believe the diehard commercials. It didn't take long to figure out it was all bs.

I was happy with my first 2-3 Die Hards.  Great cranking in cold weather and lasted twice as long as one costing 2/3 the price. 

After two Die Hard's crapped out before a regular battery's warranty would have expired, and the pro-rated trade-in was peanuts, I opted to walk on the warranty discount and buy from NAPA.  The Sears mechanics were also trying their best to find a reason not to honor the warranty, since it was still relatively new -- about 2 1/2 years old.  They gave me the third degree, trying to get me to admit there was a problem with the car or I caused the failure somehow.

If anyone asks, tell them, "Yes.  Those Sears batteries Die Hard -- and quick, too!"

I don't remember who explained the DieHard warranty to me.  You get a 5 year warranty, but the battery really only last 3 years, so you go back to Sears and they say, "I will give you pro rated 'value' to apply to your new DieHard..."  They also recommend (push) the "analysis" check for $.

So I now go to Costco, but their price also have gone up, and have a portable battery pack in my car.  I put a reminder on my calendar, with 6 month auto reminder to charge.

I don't remember who explained the DieHard warranty to me.  You get a 5 year warranty, but the battery really only last 3 years, so you go back to Sears and they say, "I will give you pro rated 'value' to apply to your new DieHard..."  They also recommend (push) the "analysis" check for $.

So I now go to Costco, but their price also have gone up, and have a portable battery pack in my car.  I put a reminder on my calendar, with 6 month auto reminder to charge.

I'm not as worried about a dead battery now with all the jump & charge devices available. I have a portable all-in-one battery that jumps cars, runs AC or DC devices, has an LED light, and even has an air compressor for tires, beach toys, whatever.   

We also have roadside assistance plans should my girls need help, since a possible dead battery may not be the only problem.

I normally go to auto parts stores now.  Their batteries have been pretty good, and they offer a variety of price/warranty options.

I don't remember who explained the DieHard warranty to me.  You get a 5 year warranty, but the battery really only last 3 years, so you go back to Sears and they say, "I will give you pro rated 'value' to apply to your new DieHard..."  They also recommend (push) the "analysis" check for $.

So I now go to Costco, but their price also have gone up, and have a portable battery pack in my car.  I put a reminder on my calendar, with 6 month auto reminder to charge.

===========
so it's a clever scam to keep you coming back.

if you don't go back to sears, you  lose 2 years worth of battery service.
IIRC that's what I was doing. 

===========
so it's a clever scam to keep you coming back.

if you don't go back to sears, you  lose 2 years worth of battery service.
IIRC that's what I was doing.

Yep.  They know people aren't savvy enough to recognize throwing good money after bad.  They don't want to lose that dead battery pro-rated discount on a new "Sears Best" battery.

All car batteries have their positives and negatives...   


I used to be loyal to Sears Die Hard brand.  They used to be the most dependable, longest lasting brand anywhere.  Over time, it became obvious the batteries were no longer better than comparable brands.  They cost more, and they justified it because they had very long warranty periods.

In the end, they didn't last any longer than cheaper brands.  And the warranty  you paid for wound up saving you nothing after a deeply pro-rated discount toward your next over-priced replacement.  If you didn't buy another overpriced Die Hard, you got no refund on the remaining warranty.

Better to get 2 $30 batteries than a Die Hard.

Was going to “amp” up the conversation but decided not to and study “current” events.....

Was going to “amp” up the conversation but decided not to and study “current” events.....

You don't have the juice to crank out pun after pun....

You're discharged.

a typical lead acid battery requires maintenance despite what some manufacturers claim. They need water levels maintained especially here in this tropical climate. A bad alternator can ruin it as well as running the battery in deep cycles, unless it was designed as such.

I bought a Die Hard from Sears in the last year. They changed their warranty to either 2 or 3 years (can’t remember). No pro rating. Just replacement within the warranty period.

I bought a Die Hard from Sears in the last year. They changed their warranty to either 2 or 3 years (can’t remember). No pro rating. Just replacement within the warranty period.

Sears got into all kinds of legal problems in the 1990s, and the battery issue was just one related to their auto repair "scams".

Sears is having real financial problems now.  I wouldn't buy a Die Hard for fear the company won't be there when I need warranty service.   


Just my opinion.  Hope this post doesn't scare off any potential 2aHawaii forum members...   

Hey OF, It is good to hear you had outstanding life from your ac delco battery. I hope that ac continues to improve their products. Since the 80's AC Delco was sold off by GM and quality went down hill. I left the sears die hard merry go round years ago and I recently had very good luck with the walmart batteries. I have years of experience with many types of batteries including automotive and industrial grade batteries. The amount of fraud that can be heaped on the unsuspecting is frightening. One source would routinely switch labels in order to sell a lesser grade product as a higher one. Buyer beware.

There was a time when a sears product had an excellent warranty and reputation. In spite of sears recent troubles, I am still a sears fan. They just had a super sale on tool boxes. I could not resist the sale price and bought a craftsman HD 6 drawer top chest and bolted it to my craftsman tool box that was bought back in the early 1970's. My 1970's old school tool chest was made from heavier gauge steel than the new one, but the new one had slick smooth drawers even when loaded. It will probably out live me.     

Hey astroboy Howzit!
I heard the Costco interstate batteries was pretty good, but they did not have my size.

Hey astroboy Howzit!
I heard the Costco interstate batteries was pretty good, but they did not have my size.

Greetings again OF,
Interstate is one of my fav brands. Back in the day the local interstate branch was run by a cool guy named Dave.
Dave's company car had the same NASCAR paint and decals as their sponsored race car. He got stopped by the local police a few times while driving this car. 
Interstate also had an excellent training program for their staff and for their business customers.

This may sound weird, but like OF, I have had excellent luck with the original equipment batteries that have come in the vehicles. My wife’s Honda battery lasted almost 6 years. My Toyota battery lasted over 5 years. Since then Sear’s Die Hards lasted only 2 years in both our vehicles. Costco brand batteries (Before they went to Interstate) only lasted a year to two years. Though in all fairness, her SUV had a starter issue that caused the batteries to die prematurely. Not the same for my Tacoma. The starter problem is now fixed and the battery is now about a year and a half old. We’ll see. The Intersate in my Tacoma is almost 2 years old.

   Just got Rockette a 2005 Frontier.
The battery looked old and  "iffy" so I took a closer look at it.
It was a NAPA 75 month dated 10/2008 so it was 115 months old and still going.  .
I replaced it as I had another "spare" F4 Battery.