[Matt42]

Originally Posted by lmmegt

Optima is no longer on my radar - even though I have USA made Optima's in 4 of my cars. - quality is lacking since the move to MEXICO!

Aurora Battery Maker Moves Operations To Mexico - cbs4denver.com


Go for Odyssey or Deka brand AGM batteries. - Read post #46 here on this Diesel truck forum for why Optima's are now crap...... And Odyssey's rock...... (Diesel trucks take 2 batteries each and require a lot of CCA's to turn over).

Optima Batteries made in mexico - Page 4 - Diesel Forum - The Diesel Stop.com

I agree with IMMEGT thru personal and bitter experience with a PT and with a Dodge Diesel. I replaced both batteries on my Dodge with Dekka batteries. So far, so good. I am using a 10/2007 date of manufacture $50 Checker flooded cell battery (that I had in indifferent storage) on my PT, which replaced a $150 10/2007 date of manufacture Optima that failed in use. All the Optimas were made in Mexico. Before that, I had been using USA-made Optimas and got 5+ years out of them, which is way beyond amazing here in Arizona. I had until recently recommended Optima batteries to everyone. No more.

The response from Optima was a polite letter with suggestions on how to recharge them. Excuuuuse me. I bought the $150 Optimas to prevent getting stranded in hot weather 100 miles from nowhere in the desert, not to get polite ideas on how to recharge them.

An advantage to an AGM battery is that it will not leak or ooze or emit acid fumes, so your battery cables and battery tray will NEVER corrode. A corroded positive cable will never leave you stuck on a cold morning.

I bought Dekka batteries for the truck because they were USA made and $100 each less than Odyssey batteries, which have super reputations. My truck takes two, and I just didn't have $500 to drop on batteries right then.

If you are going to keep the car, you will not regret buying a good, USA-made AGM battery!