Optima battery failed after only 4 months!

I keep my Red Top on a battery tender on one of my cars now for two winters no problems.

 

Just finished changing out the Optima Red Top battery I purchased on 1/13/08. Seems it was bad when I bought it. But the store took it back and gave me a new one. They said that the Optima couldn't be tested. New one in now, let's see how it goes.
Scott

 

I have about 20 Optima batteries in my toys (red, yellow, and blue), and have had to replace at least half of them within a year. The guy at the battery store told me that the military is now using Optimas and the public gets the leftovers. That doesnt make sense to me, but I heard it from a salesman at Batteries Plus, as well.

 

I have an OPTIMA (red top)that is 4 years old and it has been trouble-free.My car can sit for three weeks without a battery tender and it cranks over without hesitation.When it 's time to replace my battery ,I will stay with OPTIMA...........

 

That's a decent record but nothing special. My inexpensive lead-acid batteries will do the same. Not slamming your choice of batteries but just indicating that I would be surprised to experience anything less with a "normal" battery.

 

Just as a suggestion the BMW M3 CSL / Mini battery is around 34 lbs (as light as an Optima red top) and is made by Exide:
BMW Part Number 61216920804 (around $115.00, less than an Optima red top).

 

Interstate Battery MT-34 $82.00

 

i've had good luck with Duralast batteries

FWIW

 

The saying is actually 'I thought I made a mistake once, but I was wrong'.

 

Yea, but if your lead acid battery overflows you have a major corrosion problem ...

 

Maybe these threads need to be merged.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116217

 

If it overflows you have major battery/alternator/voltage regulator problems. I've never seen a battery overflow. Maybe you could spill battery acid not being careful when you install or remove the battery or add water. As I mentioned before, people should be checking their batteries at least twice a year (along with your spare tire). Water level, corrosion on the terminals. Any corrosion found on the battery tray should be neutralized with some baking soda.

My 14 year old Saab has had only el cheapo batteries ($40~$50). I think 2 or 3 in 14 years. Never a problem and not any sign whatsoever of corrosion on the terminals or any corrosion on the battery tray or surrounding metal.

 

Three days, no problems! Still starts

 

The original ones seemed to be better than the more recent production of the past couple years.

 

Yes! I have the Sears Platinum AGM. 880 CCA too! Top rated by Consumer Reports. Only issue is they only come in Group 34, so the terminals are opposite of what Ferrari requires (Group 34R). BUT, on the 355, the cables are long enough to reach, so no problem.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P

The other option might be to buy the Marine version, which has the screw terminals more in the center of the battery. You would need terminal adapters to convert them to standard posts, but they would likely reach the cables that way.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850134000P

 

Heck

Optima is now owned by interstate batteries, which is owned by Johnson Controls/Enersys

the Optima has had it's issues with quality control. I spent quite a few long conversation with one of the engineers in Colorado.
That was about 10 years ago. My company used to use a few thousand Optima yellow and blue tops. . Not any more. But, having said that. 9 years in my 308 and 8 years in my mustang. both yellow top.

the correct application is important.

 

Optima claims the red top can be left for 12 months without charging:

Benefits and Applications:
Longer life
Lasts up to 2 times longer than traditional flat-plate batteries.
Optimal starting power
More power in the initial 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead-acid batteries.
Higher reserve capacity
Constant performance quality, which keeps your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
Longer shelf-life (lower self-discharge)
Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still start a vehicle.
Vibration resistance
15 times more resistant to vibration than traditional lead-acid batteries.
Leak-proof
Mountable in almost any position.

 

I have red top in Spider and GT4. So far the Spider Red Top has out lasted any other batter plus is does not leak like the Interstate previous.

 

All three of my cars got new batteries this year. After coming home from two months of being on the road the only car that started was the 308.

So i started it up and ran off to do errands.

Napa house brand battery seems to hold the charge.

 

My Optima died in my F355 Spider after a matter of months. It was hooked up to a battery tender. Autozone offered me a pro-rated refund if I broght it back in. So I did just that. They looked me up in the computer and found out when I bought it and gave me cash that I put towards a new battery. That is a policy of Optima and not of Autozone.

enzo

 

Right, but why waste a good can of Coca Cola (not coke)?? Just put a teaspn of arm and hammer baking soda into a glass of water, stir, and pour onto terminal. Then rinse well.
save the cola for drinking, if you dont mind gulping the phosphoric acid into your stomach instead.....

 

How do you check the battery easily in a F355?

Gary

 

Sorry, there isn't an easy way other then when the car doesn't start! It isn't really that difficult. Take off the front right wheel, remove the panel and there it is.

 

I have replaced many Optimas in many models of F cars..i think it just takes to long for them to recover lost charge during short trips where as lead acid can recover much quicker..i say stay away...unless you like looking at a cool battery until help arrives

 

LOL.