Rant: My old car battery brand left me stranded in a Walmart parking lot

I stuck with the same cheap battery brand for years to save maybe $20 each time. That ended up costing me a $150 tow truck bill and two hours of my Saturday when it died without warning. Anyone have a battery brand they trust that actually lasts?

3 comments

3 Comments

stella_murray1mo ago

Stop buying the cheapest battery you can find. Those bargain brands use thinner plates and less lead, so they fail fast and without warning. Spend the extra twenty bucks on a decent mid-range battery from a parts store. You get a solid warranty and way more peace of mind. It's the one part that can leave you completely stuck, so don't cheap out.

kim9631mo ago

Totally agree, it's one of those things you don't think about until you're stranded in a parking lot. A good battery can last years longer, so that extra cash upfront actually saves money. Plus getting a jump is a huge pain, and you never know when it'll die at the worst time. Just not worth the stress to save a few bucks.

murray.spencer1mo ago

I get what you mean about the stress, but I've had the opposite experience. My last cheap battery lasted seven years with no issues, and my neighbor's pricey one died in three. Sometimes it's just luck. I do agree with @stella_murray that a good warranty is key, though.