I have an Exide 60 month Group size 48 that is nearing the end of its life (manufactured in Nov 2005, shipped in Feb 2006. Not sure when it was actually purchased/installed, as I bought the car in 2007). Anyway, I've had to jump start the car several times in recent months, and this last time there was apparently nothing on that was draining the battery. Alternator is putting out 13.9 volts, so unless the alternator/voltage regulator is decreasing output due to heat in the engine compartment over time, then that should not be a problem.

Anyway, I have zero work done at the $tealership, and have all my work (so far, anyway) done at a local independent shop whom I trust. They recommend an Interstate MTP-91, however when putting that battery in, it doesn't quite seem to fit EXACTLY. It bumps up against the positive fuse distribution block, and the mounting block does not line up exactly with the mounting hole. Also, the MTP-91 does not have the same vent location, so I would have to get a longer vent tube in order to maintain venting. The Exide 48 fits perfectly, including the vent tube (at least one side, anyway)...

The reason to consider the MTP-91 over the MTP-48/H6 is that the 91 has 100 CCA versus 640 CCA for the 48/H6.

They vehemently recommend AGAINST Autozone Duralast, however I know that Interstate and Duralast are both made by Johnson Controls. Is there really any difference?

Any recommendations from you guys and gals?

Thanks,

Jonboy

 

Hello, It comes up from time to time and remains the weakest of any "poll" question. I service my family's batteries (keep them clean and filled). I go out of my way to buy Autozone Duralast batteries. I had to buy an Interstate for my V70 and an Exide for my sister's Jeep because Autozone was out of the respective size. I haven't lost any sleep over it. That being said; we should remember that different assembly lines are employed by that industry and individual production occurrences, like the completeness of casting of lead bridges and the introduction of contaminants, have everything to do with final quality. If the Exide 48 is the only one which doesn't touch your fusebox then that's the one you'll buy. Obviously you'll avoid cheapo brands. Kira

 

I replaced the original battery on my '03 2.4T this spring - not because I had experienced any problems but because I decided that 7 years was long enough and I didn't want to chance a sudden failure (seems to be the mode these days) Interestingly enough, after pricing an Interstate through my independent shop and getting a quote from the dealer, I chose the latter - almost wash on cost and decided to let them deal with any "reset" problems caused by removal - and, the OEM unit had lasted 7 years!