The Volvo battery in this car is 6 years old which probably means that the original battery was 6 years old when it was replaced. What's the normal lifespan of the Volvo battery? I'm having absolutely no problems with cranking, but I do carry a battery booster in the trunk. My son has an '01 S60 that still has what is probably the original battery. Should I be replacing these before winter? This seems like pretty good service because I usually get 4 years from a 5-year-warranty O'reilly battery. Should I go back to Volvo brand? Thanks.
Marlin

Hi- for my money (extra) the Optima is far and away the best battery ever. I have NEVER gotten stuck with an Optima..you get what you pay for..

Dollar for dollar, I agree that a WalMart battery is very good value. I haven't tried Costco but absolutely trust their customer service and return policy. They are very easy to deal with and bend over backwards.

Sears has been a let down and they make you wait and always complain when I've had battery returns. I finally gave that car ('94 Mercedes) up.

BTW all the major FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Stores) i.e Kragen, Autozone will do a quick battery check with computerized battery testinq equipment.
Autozone has an array of loan tools and a check engine light checker for free loan.
They usually ask for a drivers license or payment that they return.

Keep all your receipts for anything you buy at FLAPS.

The battery world is really a small place. There are only 2 mfg's of battery lead in the world and a handful of battery builders. Volvo does not make their battery, nor does interstate. Exide (Yuasa), GNB, C+D, East Penn, and Trojan are some of the leading mfg,s.
Technology has come a long way. Batteries should last you 2-10 years depending on conditions, use and care. They do not like being over-discharged. Run them flat and it seriously reduces their lifepan. They do not like the cold. They do not like the heat either so depending on where you are has a large bearing on battery life.
I live in Canada I see temp swings from -30C to +35C. My 99 has the original, My 98 was changed this year. My 91 is on its second.
If your battery is working and gives you a strong start why change it?
--
73 ES, 91 240, 98 S90

I've had very good longevity from Volvo batteries, but now the Volvo dealer only sells interstate batteries and I have not had as good an experience with them (they seem to loose steam before the warranty is up).

Around here the trade in on a battery runs $10 each. Lately I've been buying mine from Costco (for the Volvo) and from Wal-Mart for the rest. In fact I bought 3 batteries last week. Costco carries the European spec battery for the Volvo's (with the vent tube).

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 077,400 and 1995 964 154,100

I hate to admit it, but I bought an Ever-Start, the Wal-Mart brand. I believe the one I bought is made by Exide. It was the cheapest option by far and (so it would seem) you're never very far from a Wal-Mart these days if you need to use the warranty. I did feel a bit weird stepping up to the customer service desk with an old, used battery though (a $5 charge unless you exchange an old one -is that a state thing?).

If you buy from a place where you pick off the shelf, check the date code and get the freshest one they have. But wait, yours is still working fine. If it were me, I'd keep on with the Volvo one until it goes south. Why waste a good battery? If peace of mind be what you seek, then replace.

-Will
--
850 / Mini

Get a battery that can furnish LOCAL guarantee service!
I was using Interstate but it seems that the local dealers have quit selling
them, therefore no local guarantee service. I am reluctant to go back to Sears' dark empire.....
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

The Volvo OEM batteries seem to last a long, long time. Mine is dated 1999 and works every day, hot or cold, no problems.
--
See the 700/900 FAQ at the select shortcut button on the top right of the screen.

Not anymore. I just had to replace a Volvo battery in my 97 960. It was bought in Dec 05 and lasted 2 years and 2 months. Volvo no longer ships their batteries from Europe. They contract them out from local source here in the U.S.
I heard my 2005 battery was made by Excide. And it seems I wasn't the only one that had problems with these batteries. I heard Volvo changed manufactures because of this problem. Rumor has it that the new ones are made by Interstate batteries. Anyway the warranty since 2005 is now down to two years.

Just a question if I may:
What do the Volvo batteries cost? I have been wanting to buy one, but since you say they are just your average American battery, I am hesitant.

Go get a Wal-Mart battery type 48-3. Fits the 960, and the 240. Costs somewhere under $60, with your old battery. They are made by Johnson Controls, like many many other house brands. Get the red and green rings on the terminals to inhibit corrosion.

The certainty of local service is a good criterion. Wal-Mart seems as ubiquitous as Sears once was.

I have yet to "use up" that battery. Car began starting a tad slow, so I ran the voltmeter test. Across the battery, engine idling and engine stopped. Stopped reading was 12.5 volts, idling with all lights, fans, etc off was 13.1, so I am looking into new brushes.

Good luck,

Bob

:>)