How long would expect the stock motorcraft batteries to last

[etherdawg]

How long would expect the stock motorcraft batteries to last?

[Got Diesel?]

My 97" F-250 7.3 lasted past 10/04 with 150,000 miles (and it was a plow truck!!) when I traded it in on
My 2004 F-350 lasted past 70,000 miles and 3 years old when I sold it

I just replaced the batteries in my 00' plow truck last fall with 110,000 miles

I just replace the battery in my 03' Marauder this summer with 95,000 miles

[bismic]

My original batteries lasted 3 years. This is about average from what I read on the forums.

[novimustang]

I replaced the original batteries on my '03 a few months ago. It started cranking slow, and while the batteries would show a full charge on a Fluke meter, they just weren't putting out the amps anymore. So mine lasted about 7 years and ~120,000mi, which to me is pretty good for a set of batteries. Motorcraft really does make good batteries.

[novimustang]

Oh yeah and if you are replacing, get the BXT-850s rather than the stock 750s - same price and more cranking amps.

[bismic]

Originally Posted by novimustang

Oh yeah and if you are replacing, get the BXT-850s rather than the stock 750s - same price and more cranking amps.

I did the same thing. The BXT-850 is a very good battery. I have owned Ford diesels since 1986 and had very good luck staying with Ford batteries. The worst luck was w/ my current trucks OEM batteries.

The dealership told me that the replacement Ford battery is not the same as the original battery your truck came with. That is why you only have coverage for your original battery under the 3 yr / 36k bumper-to-bumper warranty (does not have an individual warranty).

Maybe they cut corners at the factory in later model years, who knows, but there are quite a few posts on the 05's through 07's lasting just to (or just under) the 3 yr mark.

[bismic]

BTW - to get warranty coverage on your batteries you have to drive (or tow) your vehicle to the dealership. They have to have your truck with the bad batteries in it ... AT THEIR SHOP. Definitely a PITA. Definitely replace them in pairs as well.

Also - watch them closely after 2-3 years. You should load test them individually at least twice a year IMO. Low system voltage can cause quite a few operability issues to happen AND can ultimately damage your expensive FICM.

[69cj]

Mine lasted 42 months. Replaced with Duralast Gold Tops. 3 year replacement with 8 year prorate. One did go bad after a year and they replaced both at no charge since it was a parallel system. Managers call on that one but made me very happy.

[clayman]

Stock batteries in my -03 lasted about 85K miles. Had them replaced with new Motorcraft batteries 8 months ago. Last week one of them was completely dead and was replaced under the 1 year warranty. Just a bad one i guess?

[TorqueMasterG]

Stock batteries in Arizona - Phoenix area? 1 to 2 years MAX. Seldom see batteries last longer than that in our terrible heat.....

[jimmy]

There is no definite answer to this.
It all depends on climate, your use, and a few other things.

Start with 7 years.
If you: clean truck up and listen to radio while you are at take off a year
Do short trips a lot take off a year
Your battery goes dead for some reason and you jump and then
drive it to charge batteries take off a year
You let battery get low on water take off a year
You charge batteries for 24 or more hours if they get any
serious discharge add two years
You live where temps go below 15F in winter take off a year
You live where temps go above 100 consistently in summer
take off a year

I have been a battery fanatic for a long time and I charge my batteries in everything twice per year and I have gotten 8 years out of lots of batteries and 10 years out of some.
This charging deal pays off big time for lawn mowers, motorcycles, boats, and farm tractors. Those machines get longer periods of sitting between use.

Alternators do a great job of maintaining a full charge but do very poorly at bringing a weak battery back to full charge.

Use distilled water, not water from your faucets.

[bismic]

Originally Posted by jimmy

There is no definite answer to this.
It all depends on climate, your use, and a few other things.

Start with 7 years.
If you: clean truck up and listen to radio while you are at take off a year
Do short trips a lot take off a year
Your battery goes dead for some reason and you jump and then
drive it to charge batteries take off a year
You let battery get low on water take off a year
You charge batteries for 24 or more hours if they get any
serious discharge add two years
You live where temps go below 15F in winter take off a year
You live where temps go above 100 consistently in summer
take off a year

I have been a battery fanatic for a long time and I charge my batteries in everything twice per year and I have gotten 8 years out of lots of batteries and 10 years out of some.
This charging deal pays off big time for lawn mowers, motorcycles, boats, and farm tractors. Those machines get longer periods of sitting between use.

Alternators do a great job of maintaining a full charge but do very poorly at bringing a weak battery back to full charge.

Use distilled water, not water from your faucets.

Now that's thinkin' with your dipstick jimmy!!!!

(great post)

[Got Diesel?]

Agreed, good info

I didn't know about the charging thing, I have cars and equipment that sit regularly and I rely on the charging system to compensate for any drop in power. Will implement this charging style.

[Rollingrock]

Very timely post...I just replaced my motocrafts. One was dead but one was replaced in 07...I put one in the 850 and went to the dealer...the tech told me I should match and buy a pair rather than just one at a time. So i sent back to Autozone and bought a second one.

I can tell they work so much better...starts fast and stronger.


My 06 has 60K on the clock.

[lincster]

Another Phoenix guy here. 2 years and 30,000 miles is what mine lasted.