Battery change

[turbomangt]

I have heard that after 3-4 years batteries start to go dead. I have an 03, is it smart to buy a new one now? Gary p.s. 46,000 miles

[sca037]

Yes Gary, it seems the average life of the last several batteries I've purchased is 4 years. You could wait until you have a problem to replace yours, but being proactive is often better than being stranded at a time of the battery's choosing [xx(]

Brian

[bobs turbo pt]

it will be ok until the winter time, i think thats when im going to change mine

[pppt03turbo]

quote:Originally posted by turbomangt

I have heard that after 3-4 years batteries start to go dead. I have an 03, is it smart to buy a new one now? Gary p.s. 46,000 miles

let us know how the battery replacement goes. i have an '03 too. it looks like a few things need to come out before you can even get at the battery. i agree with the previous poster - wait until the fall to replace it. summer is a battery's best friend, as the charging acids are flowing and happy right now.

[littleblueGT]

I have an 03 GT and my battery went dead in January with no warning. I just went out after work and it was totally dead! The car gave no indication the battery was having a problem. It started up first thing in the morning with no problem. These new batteries for some reason are either good or bad with no in between. Get a new battery now as you don't know where it's going to die, or if you will be around an autoparts that will have the right battery!

[turbomangt]

My battery should be easier to change since it is located in the back, had to move it to accomodate my air intake.

[Musicman]

I'm intrigued about your battery relocation. Could you outline the procedure or show us some pictures? Thanks!

[sawdust123]

My battery died very quickly. I think it was 2 years old (~30K miles) and I recall others telling me I got good use from it. I also recall someone telling me that a metal strap that joins the cells together will sometimes just break in these batteries. In other words, a catastrophic failure occurs rather than a gradual loss of capacity. This would fit with my experience.

The biggest problem I see with the PT batteries is that they are a 26R size. I can't find anyone locally that stocks them. Heck, it took the dealer 2 days to get a replacement (it was under warranty). I wish Costco carried our size. I have always had good luck with their batteries and they are inexpensive. I think they are made by Johnson Controls like many of the other brands.

[rszappa1]

Wal-Mart carries 26r in stock

[strangelove]

I also have an 03 gt, a few weeks ago I left the lights on for an hour and when I came back to the car it was dead, got a jump and got home. I noticed that there was some corrosion on the contacts so I cleaned them with some baking soda and water. Checked the water level in the battery and topped it off with distilled water. Since then the battery is working fine. Tested it out by leaving the stereo on while working in the garage for a few hours. Car started right up and battery is retaining charge. I also use a solar trickle charger when the car is parked in the sun for long periods of time to top off the charge. If you clean the contacts and check the water level in the battery you should be able to get a five year life span out of the battery. If you live in weather conditions that get snowy in the winter you might want to replace the battery when you start seeing it lose charge, just to have piece of mind.