I was told at Sears that I would need to pay the 40 dollar difference to get a battery for my brick. I got a $59.95 credit when I bought four tires for my wife's Toy. The salesman said it takes a "special" euro spec battery with some sort of vent. Anybody know of any differences in the Volvo battery vs. your run of the mill Duracell?? I just thought as long as the cold cranking amps were sufficient then there would be no problem.

I replaced the battery in my 740T 3 years ago with a Volvo battery after being told at all the auto parts stores I went to that they were dealer items only. Today, that is no longer true. However, I would like to state that the Volvo battery is a super heavy duty unit that is heavier than all those aftermarket brands and is of significantly higher quality construction. You pay more for a Volvo battery, but you are buying quality which is typical of most original Volvo parts versus aftermarket. I have a couple cars with various batteries and live in Ontario, and that Volvo battery has never failed me. I have very high confidence with them.

about a year ago I put a battery in the wifes 245. the guy at auto zone told me that they did not carry a battery for a volvo, I made him look at the book again... nope "don't even have a number to order one" I got hot went out did a "spread of the hand" measurement, checked which side the terminals where on grabbed one of the shelf and said I'll take this one... he was so flustered he could hardly ring it up.

I would have gone somewhere else...if the car would have started.
it's been a year...no problems yet... $49.99 if I remember right.
Bret



I think if henery ford wher alive today about the only thing he would recognize on a new car is the battery...the only real obsticle to alternative energy
--
rust free in west Texas

We're getting to a point where people can't think or reason. If it isn't on screen in front of them they can't help you. I bought a battery for my 855t at AutoZone, but not the higher capacity unit they recommended. I matched the batteries capacity with the spec in the owner's manual and haven't had a problem in over a year.

Try walking into AZ and asking for a specific spark plug. "I'd like 4 ND W22ES-Us please." Or NGK BP6ES. First question is "What's it go in?" When I tell them a Moto Guzzi or Montesa motorcycle the older guys will smile and go find them on the shelf, the younger one's will give me a blank stare, then the "we don't carry anything for them" line.



--
Erwin in Memphis, '88 745t 190,000 miles, '95 855t 92,000 miles

Hah! some people they hire surely aren't experienced in cars.... When i reccomend a battery the comp will usually not which one is "direct fit"... and i reccomend that one.. I just don't think that most of the AZ employees know enough about what they have and/or what they can get... It's really amazing the wealth of parts available at AZ that are NOT in the computer!



Cliff Scott <-AZ employee
89 DOHC740 <-a mix of parts from FCP and AZ

I agree the only real problem I have with A/Z is SOME of their employees If I can catch the right guy... or the one gal ( she really knows her cars) then I'm happy. and to be fair they seem to be getting better.
Bret
--
rust free in west Texas

Interstate and WalMart are both resellers of Johnson Controls batteries.

Again, among what fits pick based on CCA and warranty. Brand loyalty only lightens the wallet.

A number of years ago my local Volvo specialist advised me to get a WalMart battery for my 780. I did, found it was dirt cheap, and never had any problems with that battery.

I no longer live in the US, but if I did and needed a new battery I would head straight to WalMart.

HTH,

R

Get yourself an Interstate MH-47 and don't worry about it. List on the Interstate is $77 or $79- somewhere in there. It's a great battery and they never fail to replace a defective unit. I couldn't tell you offhand who in your area is the Interstate dealer, but a phone call or two should turn up someone carrying them.
FCP Groton sells them but the shipping would kill you.
As far as I can tell, the only special thing about batteries for Volvos is that they have a locking ridge at the bottom to hold the battery into the tray. No upper hold down is ever needed.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

Sears is more competitive on some service and tire prices than on batteries, if you're able to save the credit for later.

For the most part batteries are simple commodities with varying warranties at different prices. Especially true of automotive lead acid varieties. DieHards are just another Johnson Controls battery with a hefty markup. Compare similar CCA/warranty batteries from Costco, WalMart, and your local auto parts superstore. Whether actually made by Exide or Johnson Controls, given the same CCA rating and warranty length, in the same region (climate), battery performance will be nearly indistinguishable across brands.

One or another store will always have your favorite rating on sale.

Dave
(Living daily with the glass fallout from one of the large battery separator plants.)

Ya, to see all the different Johnson Controls batteries, just go to www.autobatteries.com ... People are always surprised to see that they're all the same battery with such a difference in price..

Cliff Scott
89 DOHC740 <-Johnson Controls.. err... Duralast battery =)

Here's what I would do.

I'd go back in a few days and speak with a different salesperson, pretending I'm an ordinary customer needing a battery for my Volvo. I'd get the battery type for my Volvo and a quote.

Then, if I liked it, I'd lay my $59.95 credit on him.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

The little vent and drain tube that hangs below the fender edge is cute but no way do I pay to get it. Absolutely get the battery that fits and is on sale at the discounters.

I just got a battery that fit in the tray properly and had the proper CCAs. Tell the Sears guy to go jump off a bridge, then buy whatever battery you know will fit into the tray.

My mother's BMW has a battery that needs a special vent because the battery sits under the back seat but I'm fairly certain it's common enough that it wouldn't have to be special ordered or something.
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'