AH1W-COBRA

it's a question that should answer itself.car cranks slow or wont start,replace the battery.but what if we dont want to wait for a sign that the battery is losing it's ability to store ampers/current.forcing all the electrical components to endure low volts/current and working the alternator like a sherpa climbing everest.i know the dealer checks during scheduled service, but would it be foolish to simply replace the battery every 3 or 4 years and avoid ever having a battery go bad from age?

Ausmbtech

You may have a VHLA (dry cell) battery fitted to your vehilce so the usual time frame for battery replacement is greatly changed.

I've seen plenty of W202's and W210's last 10yrs on an original battery.
The genuine GERMAN batteries are pretty good if maintained. South African and American batteries never last anywhere near as long in my experience.

I wouldn't worry about it, just wait for the early warning signs (slow to crank)

raymond g-

i have a hydrometer and a voltmeter. both are easy tools used to determine
the health of a battery. i usually check the specific gravity every couple of
months and replenish with distilled water, then trickle charge. 5 yrs is a
minimum life span for my m/cycle batteries. longer for automotive. my poh
buh-hind unable to buy new batteries every several years for truck, car,
4 motorcycles.

sosh

I have always been proactive and replaced my batteries in all my power equipment, vehicles, etc after 4 years. I have never been stuck with a dead battery since starting to do this. The cost is negligable.The benefits are very good.

AH1W-COBRA

the battery in our 03 is the german vhla.ive picked up some valuable input from the threads.first.if you have the german battery keep it as long as possible.second,if you are going to replace it go with another german battery which is gonna cost big $.ill probably simply replace since i bought the car with 43k miles and dont know the history of use/abuse.ill get another vhla with the intent to make it go at least 5 years.im probably just being paranoid but on our last road trip i noticed the cluster flickering/dimming slightly,it coincides with accessories cycling on/off.ie'a/c compressor,applying brakes flashing the brights.im thinking weak battery.

vettdvr

My son told me to replace the battery in my F150 in 2001 because it was 4 years old and cranking slow. He now has the truck and I told him not to change the battery in 2008 because it is still cranking slow, but it does crank. So the battery was bought in 97 and that makes it about 11 years old,, but still cranking. So what would be the right time to change this Duralast battery? I don't think there is much warranty left.

brakel8

I agree with You!!!! MB batteries seem to last 4 to 5 years if inspected and topped off with electrolyte so I've been replacing mine every 3 to 4 to be safe.

hineywineries

I'm going to guess that your Detroit iron vehicle there only cranks slow after the car has been driven. If I'm correct, what you are experiencing is cheap *** American designed starters. Slow hot cranking is a problem on many American cars, because the starters are bare bones design, and when they get hot , because they are right next to the exhaust, resistance goes way up in the windings. When resistance goes up, the battery strains to supply the current.

DropTop430

whatever u do .....just dont take the battery out and close the trunk...ull never be able to get in there ....that is if u have a clk cabrio ....just my luck!!! now im stuck with a 02 clk 430 cabrio in my drive way and i cant drive it...lol im sure i get in the trunk again.....how i dunno....now remeber theres no battery in there so if postive is touching the chassis and if i try to jumpstart it from under the hood.....there goes the ecu !!! so theres a big tip !!!! dammit!

AH1W-COBRA

BMW is famous for these types of problems,if you let the battery go dead and you have locked the door to the "DEAD LOCK" position,nothing will open the car,not even a slim jim.these guys have used a 9 volt transistor battery and wired it into the license plate light bulb recepticle and provided enough power to make the door lock selonoid operate.