Optima Yellow top batteries.

Has anyone had any problems with Optima batteries? I just had my second yellow top fail me within 2 years. I’m not running high powered car stereo or excessive modifications. I opted for the yellow top at the time, it was just the only Optima that would fit my car at the time (I originally wanted the red top but there were none available) The last one I think I only had for 10 months, it was warranted from where I purchased it but they didn’t update my records. I was then told that it’s out of warranty & will not be honored. I was also told that Optima doesn’t make a battery to fit my car anymore & current supplies of Optima are being shipped to Iraq so there is a shortage in certain states. I’m not believing that for a second but like to know what is going on with the company, I’ve heard various rumors that certain smaller Optima’s (D51R) are known to go bad. I really like the dry cell technology but I’d expect for Optima to get any known issues with them resolved.

 

Used to install 20 or more Optima red tops a year, never a problem until about 2 or so years ago. Then, nothing but bad batteries. They aren't saying but something has changed dramatically and durability has gone down the toilet. Don't use them anymore. My dead battery collection area is 60-70% Optimas.


I still have old Optimas installed years ago, mistreated in every way that are still going strong and removing 3 year old units that have been taken care of.

 

You won't believe this but I've been buying batteries for my cars at Checker Auto for about 25 years, they last 4-5 years minimum and cost about $60. I see no reason to pay $130 + for a battery.

 

When the batteries were well made they were very worth it to someone who had 20 or 30 cars and none of them got used much. I would agree they are not worth it for a daily driver or a car used regularly.

 

My brother and I always swore by Odyssey batteries using them since the first day we got our licenses We have always been into big incar stereos like the pics of his Statemans and then all of a sudden its like they were the most unreliable battery ever made. Sure they had the 5 year replacement warranty but we were getting sick of removing and replacing them usally only after 6 months of everyday use. We have both gone back to Exide Maintenance Free batteries and haven't had a drama yet but I'm seriously considering replacing my battery in my 348 with another Odyssey and hoping for the best
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The replacement currently is a $60 Werker from Batteries Plus (where I bought my Optima), maybe not the best but I was short on time & didn't want to drive all over town to find the best deal. I use this in my daily driver but never was told this about limited use with Optima, which also didn't sit with me well when I was told the US military will be provided Optima batteries exclusively.

 

I can't believe this. Last Sunday - 1 week ago exactly - I changed from a red top to a yellow top in the 308.

 

I've had 2 bad red top Optimas in 18 months. The b***ch is that the warranty that Sears offers starts from the first sale, and doesn't reset with replacements. Whem (if) this one goes it's back to Diehards.

 

Yeah talk about a load of crap, My mate bought a battery from Autobarn and the battery dropped a cell only after a few months, when he went back to replace it as he didn't keep the receipt they refused to believe the date he told them he purchased it and purely went off the information stamped on the battery case. In his case when he had to buy another battery the original battery already had 5 months of the 12 month warranty exprired as it was sitting on the shelf for sale. Go figure, maybe its worth while keeping even the smallest receipts after all

 

That's odd. I buy ALL my batteries from Sears because they give me the least amount of crap about replacements. I guess it just depends on who is behind the counter that afternoon.

 

Just buy the standard battery at Costco. I have had good luck and they are only about $40. I would think the Optima brand would be the most reliable, but I am glad I haven't bought any. Thanks for the heads up.
BT

 

Put a red top in the Dino.

I got one season out of it.

Went dead, wouldn't hold a charge, total P.O.S.

Back with an Interstate now,all seems fine.

DM

 

I've had more trouble with DiHard batteries than any other brand, 1-2 years max life. Stopped using them years ago, no problems since. (Checker Auto batteries-cheap and last)

 

I've got Interstate batteries in all my cars. They seem to be reliable, affordable and easy to find.

 

i went with the blue marine optima, for a couple of reasons.
1. i was 600miles from home with a dead interstate battery
2. sears was out of most all batteries where i was
3. blue top marine was the only available size
4. the battery location on the mondial isn't exactly water proof

the deep cycle nature of the marine battery has worked great and the size is right. no issues so far and the car does sit for more than a few days between drives, i try to get out more but we know how hard it can be

 

In the past I’ve always favored Sears, as they were great about standing behind their products. In the last few years, though, I’ve been disappointed several times. And some of the staff in their auto department has been really unprofessional. I suspect all this is their reaction to intense competition, but to me it seems like a strategy that’s just going to hurt them. It’s a shame to see them go downhill.

 

I just got off the phone with one of the customer service reps, less than enthusiastic to help me with the issue. Basically I’m S.O.L. because my size battery is no longer available due to known problems with that size & model. They believe the issue will be rectified sometime in 2007 when it goes back into production. Wow, I'll be sure to hold my breath & they can ask for blue, because that will be the color of my face.

 

I have a Red Top in the 328 that is DOA right now.

 

I have red tops on two of my non-daily cars with no problems One battery was bought in 2002 and the other in 2004. Maybe I've been lucky. It could also be that I have the cars hooked up to trickle chargers all of the time. Knock on wood.

 

I had 4 or 5 red optima batteries in my cars over the years with no complaints. Contrary to their claims of a sealed battery, the last one i bought leaked all over my trunk and caused acid damage. I believe they use to be constructed differently with gel cores. They are now own by Johnson Controls and I suspect they are made differently. I sent the battery back to them and their engineers said they couldnt find any defects with it further highlighting their incompetence. After a year and a half of emails and telephone calls, they finally agree to pay for the damages. I'll give odessey a try from now on.

 

My Red Top Optima crapped out on me after 18 mos. Bought it at Costco and had no receipt but Costco had the record of the purchase. They refunded 100% of the purchase price because of the Optima warranty.

 

I just had to replace my red top a couple of weeks ago after 9 months. It's on a battery tender too.

 

Consumer Reports tests show that NAPA and Sears batteries are the two best brands on the market...

 

Not at all true! If you look at their most recent tests (October 2006 issue) you will see that no one brand was best. Napa had a good showing in group sizes 35 and 65, but less so in the more important group 34/78 (which is the "universal size" that can substitute for the group 34R that fits in most Ferraris). Sears was mid pack to bottom in most cases.

Best rated for group 34/78 was the Walmart "Everstart" in the "northern region" variant (as opposed to the "south" version) it was also rated a "best buy" as it retails for only $60.

 

Interstate Battery is the only Batt. that last me 5 1/2 years.
I aint buying nothing else.