Optima battery failed after only 4 months!

But I have seen and heard both here and on the Ferrarilist, of similar experiences with Optima, at least the red top. Seems they have changed something in them in the past two or three years, because they were fine before that time. Now, it seems they cannot handle any sort of deep discharge without failing.

What is also strange, is that according to Consumer Reports, the Optima red top, still tests well, and rates a "very good" by them. I think that they must have a quality control problem, and some are fine, and others not.

 

Good decision, I always use Interstate battery and I never heard any issue about them but every now and then I hear people having problem with the Optima.

 

Buy cheap batteries. Check water level at least twice a year. Add only distilled water if needed. Get a battery tender. Sure it's a bit of a pain to check levels and add water with the battery in place on a 308/328 but with a flashlight and battery water bottle it's no big deal. Clean off the top of your battery with some paper towels and Simple Green. Make sure there is no corrosion on the battery terminals and coat with a little bit of vaseline. Good time to check your spare tire pressure and add air if needed.

 

I usually just pour "coke" on the terminals whenever I see some corrosion build up. The acid in the soda eats the corrosion! Just thought I'd share that.

 

Yeah, but with the price of coke today....... oh...... you mean Coke.... the one with the trademark. Yes, that will clean up the terminals nicely and then if you coat the terminals with Vaseline you will not get any more corrosion. The correct way to do it is to take off both battery cables then fully coat the terminals, put the cables back on and coat the terminal clamps and tightening screws and nuts. Clean off excess Vaseline.

Although first, after removing the cables and cleaning the terminals you should clean the top and sides of the battery with Simple Green, Formula 409 etc. Dirt/grease/oil buildup on the case of the battery can cause a discharge current to ground that will slowly drain the battery. Typically this is more of a problem on cars that have the batteries in the engine compartment where they are subjected to more vapors etc.

There is no reason even an inexpensive battery should not last for years in a 308/328 if the water level is kept correct, right water is used and it is kept on a battery tender during long periods of non-use. All this is of course assuming the charging system is in good working order. Our batteries are not subjected to the heat of the engine compartment like most batteries. Engine compartment heat is not a battery's friend.

 

That is the only thing Coke is good for...Pepsi rocks!!!

 

Bad man.

 

i have had 2 optima red tops fail on me, one in a 308, and one in my old jalpa. no more optima batteries for me. i too feel they changed something inside, as even the 2 redtops i had were different in weight, even with identical part numbers.

 

I've seen the red tops fail as well. Interstate will deliver for less than half the price.

 

I had 3 Optimas in my rockcrawling Jeep before I realized how bad they suck. Heck, they run down after 15 minutes of emergency flashers. I went back to lead-acid. It seems Optima's big benefit is that if you roll it, the acid doesn't ruin the paint. Hmmmmm....

 

The optima red top is designed for daily drivers. I've used an Optima yellow top(deep cycle) in my last two Ferrari's and have been well pleased. The one in my BB512i is now five years old having been installed in March 2003 and still cranks the old flat-12 even on the coldest day. The Optima yellow or blue top are best for cars or boats that are only used occasionally like most Ferrari's. www.optimabatteries.com

 

in my former german rides i really mistreated them.
i never used a battery tender, kept them in unheated garages, and never started them until spring (6mo).
they both had cheap napa batteries and always fired up for spring inspection.avg. life, 6-7yrs.
my secret? an old-fashioned battery disconnect just like ferrari uses.
smart people...pain weber.

 

Funny thing is that Optima and Interstate batteries are both made by the same company - Johnson Controls. They also make Motorcraft, Autozone, most Sears Die Hard, and many other brands.

For an infrequently driven car a yellow-top Optima is your best choice if you have to have an Optima. From what I've seen they are just a miracle of marketing. There are plenty of other AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries out there that won't spill and that don't need venting.

 

A wise decision.

I wonder if the Interstate has design differences from the others (?)

 

From what I've seen on my last battery buying trip, Interstates are wet-cell batteries and Optimas are AGM. Optimas are different from other AGM batteries in that the Optima rolls the mats in each cell into a cylindrical shape while other AGM batteries stack the mats in rectangular cells. Optima claims the cylindrical shape resists effects of vibration better. Who knows where the truth lies?

The only reason I would buy an Optima is if I had to have their unique cosmetic appearance. But batteries are almost like religion... Every guy seems to have their own persoanl battery belief system

 

My nearly new red top failed as well, I thought it was just a bad one and couldn't get a replacement fast enough, so an Interstate went in. No problems!

 

I just had two fail in quick succession in the last couple of weeks. One almost 5 years old, the other just over 3 years old, both red tops.

Anyone used anyother AGM batteries with good success? I like the fact that they don't vent, but can't seem to find any other than optima (not sure what to look for I guess).

Thanks.
Alberto

 

Same here -- yellow top is what I use in my 308 since it's only a nice-weather weekend car.

 

I concur, RedTop is awesome for a daily driver. Had one last a decade! But for a occasional driver, YellowTop is what you need.

 

Don't buy a pork chop and then complain it doesn't taste like chicken...the red top is for daily driver type cars which is rarely the case with a Ferrari...and I doubt you drive your Dino 3 to 5 times a week every week...buy a yellow or blue top and you will get years of excellant no problem service...I know I have in several Ferrari's and a Fiat, including the ~ 5 year old one in my BB512i...

 

I also had red top fail and I was mad because when I took it back to the store I bought it from they said it tested fine. I tried it back in the car again without success. I said screw it I'll just try a cheap battery and see if that solves my issues and it did.

 

Frank is absolutely correct here. The red top Optima is for cars that are driven regularly which Optima literature specifically states: "These batteries are designed for engine starting applications. They are not
recommended or warranted for use in deep cycle applications."

My Optima Red is now 5 years old, has never been on a battery tender and has always been reliable. I drive my car at least twice a week.

The Optima literature recommends the yellow top for infrequent drivers: "Dual-purpose - Deep cycling and cranking power all packed into one battery." " 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."

 

Make sure you don't have a slow electrical leak before blaming the battery.

 

I was wrong one time though...I had thought I was wrong and turned out right...LoL...