Im changing mine this week, I am using a Volvo battery now. I think its someting like 550 or 650 cranking amps.

I had a great experience with a Trak Auto sold battery in my old Volvo, and in my Audi.

Since the battery box is huge, I picked the 1000 cranking amps Ultra Cell. I think its gold in color. The store said I will void the warranty because the list said to buy the lower cranking amp. This battery would crank even when we had a -20 three day cold snap. My car had to sit out back then.

I wouldnt even give very cold days a thought. The battery ended up outlasting the warranty by years. It actually sat in the garage for 18 months before i sold it. All i had to do was start it every couple weeks.

Thats my choice.

GO BIG CRANKING AMPS AS LONG AS YOU DONT OVER PAY. I THINK IT WAS $69.

You want to avoid Exide. What I heard is that they are "built to a price" for mass merchandisers, and are basically garbage. If Sears has gone back to Johnson Controls, DieHards are probably OK again.

Personally, I prefer Interstate. I have had phonomenal luck with Interstate batteries. (One of them lasted 8 years, in daily use.) I am involved in OEM sales in my job, and I can tell you that just because a particular manufacturer makes something, does not mean it is identical to a similar product that they make for someone else.

The battery in my 98 failed about 4 months ago. The one in

our 95 did not make it to 4 years.

I prefer Interstate batteries. Same battery manufacturer that

used to supply all Sears DieHards (Johnson Controls). Cost

is $90 to $100. See Johnson Controls web page at:http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/

For a while Sears batteries were supplied by Exide except for

the DieHard Gold which was always supplied by Johnson Controls.

Looking at Johnson COntrols web page it says they are now

the sole supplier for the DieHard brand (dated April 1999)

so I guess they got the contract back (they should, too, since

Sears built the DieHard brand name on Johnson Controls batteries).

So, I guess Sears is a safe choice, once again. Oh, just found this

saying Exide no longer supplies Sears batteries:

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19990302/press020137.html

There are two sizes that fit -- the larger one has

more cold cranking power. I chose the smaller one

(less weight) since I live in a moderate climate.

I run an Optima Red Top in my truck, and will put one in the Volvo when its battery goes. The link below takes you to their site, and will explain all its features.