328 battery failing

Taz,
The best part is this exact same battery is sold at any Sear store, but in the Group 34 configuration, for $189! (Odyssey is making them for Sears) Four year free replacement too. The only issue is some Ferraris, the battery cables may not reach with the terminals on the opposite side, like the 34R. No problem on the F355, but may be for other Ferraris.

 

Affirmative. The reversed poles are the only thing that would worry me. Not that much slack in a Maranello's cables, but I have not tried it because my Interstate still works like a champ.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

In 12 years ownership I've put in 3 batteries and like to change them in all my vehicles every 3 years. Trying to squeeze and extra year or 2 out of a battery is foolish money IMHO.

 

I don't drive my cars very often. I get about 3 years before the battery needs a boost to start the car. I usually get another year after that.

 

Paul, G-Man- You are thinking conventional batteries. Ones like the Odyssey are new technology and will last way longer than a conventional battery. Times change. If you like changing batteries for some odd reason, more power to you, but not me on my next battery. You can ignore the Odyssey, let it run completley down, disconnect and hit it with a battery charger and it is as good as new. Only downsides are cost and weight. It puts out 880 CCA. My heavy duty truck battery Interstate puts out 700 CCA. That extra power will get a recalcitrant car turned over enough to help starting and also alleviate a lot of problems caused by batteries that are down on power. Average service life is over 8 years, and that is not with users who baby a battery like a Ferrari owner.

Taz
Terry phillips

 

That is why it pays to learn which brands/models regularly last longer than 3 or 4 years. A careful reading of Consumer Reports will give you the info so you can be confident in getting a battery that will last much longer than the average. It would appear that the great majority of batteries these days (if properly maintained with regular fluid tops ups and cleaning the case and terminals) will easily last 5 years. AGM batteries can go even longer. The key for specialty cars not driven regularly is to use a battery tender and check the electrolyte level. Changing batteries every three years is pretty "old school" and while it obviously works for you, seems a bit wasteful in this day and age. While the technology has not changed much (still flooded or AGM) but the quality of the product is much better than in years past.

I personally have only had one battery fail in less than 5 years of use in the past 20 years, and that was with a Sears Diehard, probably 15 years ago.

I currently have a East Penn standard wet cell battery in my BMW and it is 4.5 years old and actually tests out at 900 CCA on my digital load tester, and the original specs on it are 875CCA! (I think the manufacturer was a bit conservative on their specs, as I notice they now rate them at 900 CCA for the same model battery)