Lifespan of VZ Battery

[BullittSV6]

Hey guys.

Parked the VZ outside last night and wouldn't start this morning. Lights worked. radio didn't lose its pin but lost its memory as it was trying to play the first track over and over. Car didn't even crank over, just heard a clicking sound.

Initially I thought the starter motor or coil was shot, but when I realised the radio lost its memory then I had a feeling it was the battery.

The battery is almost 4 years old; its the original the car had. Does a 4 year life span sound about right?

I'm getting an overnight battery test done at a local mechanic tonight so should know conclusively. Im thinking a Century or Exide as a replacement, any better brands?

[danja]

I replaced mine when I got my car because I could tell it was giving up the ghost.

I suspect it was the original battery that came with the car in 2004, so yeah about 4 years.

They are just the same as any other car battery, generally you can expect 3 years out of battery, some will last up to 5 if they are good. I find myself buying Bosch batteries these days, had only good experiences with them so far. They come with a 3 year warranty.

[88GreenVN]

the 05 VZ got a newie last year - so 3 years is about right

[tanner892]

i replaced mine at about 3.5 years so yeah 4 is good

[BullittSV6]

I don't feel so bad now...

[Tuttle]

I had troubles with mine and when i got the RAA out the guy told me that they usually have about 3 years on them but mine was 4 years. told me that he wouldnt be surprised if i started having more problems.

Put it on a slow trickle charger over night, i found that helped and might make the battery last a bit longer

[Kal123]

Wow.. the exact same thing happened to me at work on Satruday. The lights/radio/windows were just working, but the car wouldn't turn over.

I manged to get the car started with the help of some jumper leads.. Now the strange thing is the car has been fine since, and I've started it fine numerous times.

Would you think my battery is on it's way out?

I finish work at 10pm tonight, and am hoping it doesn't do the same thing again lol.

[Philthy]

Most batteries say they are good for about 3 years.
Also with the VZs (and i guess maybe other newer commodores) apparently if you leave them unlocked it slowly drains the battery. Mum's VZ always used to keep going flat if she didn't drive it for a week or so, even with a new battery. She was told to make sure she kept it locked in the garage and hasn't had the problem again.

[baracuda]

my car was fine till i went down south. the next day the battery died(after giving somoene heaps bout there battery woes hahahahaha)
cant go wrong with century battery.but coudnt get one. so went with one that had the most cranking amps.the old battery was still the original so not bad run 3.5-4yrs.and like you Bullitt i had no warnings nufn... fine one day dead the next.

[andyman]

id go supercharge gold or an ac delco, holden usually sell the ac delco, pretty good price for the quality,

the super charge is about the most powerfull in its class (before someone says it, yellow top is not in its class) at 600cca and 105rc, model number: MF53

[mainpath]

I think mine still has the original since 04 but my vx had a battery from early 03 that died sort of started to die in dec last year (08).
I replaced it as a just in case.

[BullittSV6]

I got an Exide Extra X56C today. I reckon they a great with a state of charge indicator. Has 550 cca and 105 rc with a 3 years warranty like the supercharge gold.

[danja]

How much did the Exide set you back?

[BullittSV6]

$180 from the local autopro

[andyman]

$180 from the local autopro

whoah jees, thats expenisve, i got my supercharge for 130

[ashbox]

expensive for some, i'll get mine cheap through exide themselves but it does help to know people.

exide make alot of batteries and have been around for a while so good choice

[PaulSV6]

Ready this thread, wouldnt have a clue how long the battery has been in my car. if its the first batt, its going well 5 yrs come this november.

[Benboy]

1 - 3 years is a very good life for a starting battery in a car.

[BullittSV6]

whoah jees, thats expenisve, i got my supercharge for 130

All well. There was a weaker battery for $150 but I thought whats $30 when you only by a new battery every 3-4 years, and it comes with a three year warranty where as the weaker battery had a 2 year warranty.

[Torquative]

yeh 3 years is good and obviously that indicates to ya that they have a 3 year life span.

Mine was original @90 000kays but it was an ex cop car, so being run day in day out. As soon as I had it a week not running it all day the battery went kerplunk.

Mums equipe did the same, about 4 years old and in the cold it just died. This is the time of year they do it

[Kal123]

My battery died again this morning, started the car with Jumper Leads, and it's worked fine since... But I'll go get a new battery tomorrow to be safe....

Any recommendations on batteries for a SV6?

[MySV6]

My VZ was sold at 5 years old, 135,000km, and it was on it's 3rd replacement battery, so 4 batteries in 5 years.... I blame the BCM fault which kept "forgetting" to turn the lights off in Auto when I got out of the car every few weeks. If I messed it, well lets just say I bought a $200 battery pack to jump start the car & it lived in the boot

[ashbox]

well, mines lasted 5 years so far and is startin to show signs of it going, hopefully it lasts out so i can trade it in on a ve

[PaulSV6]

well, mines lasted 5 years so far and is startin to show signs of it going

Same here, mine was replaced about a month ago. I installed a Century 58VT battery.

[BullittSV6]

My battery died again this morning, started the car with Jumper Leads, and it's worked fine since... But I'll go get a new battery tomorrow to be safe....

Any recommendations on batteries for a SV6?

I'm happy with the Exide I mentioned a few posts above. But I'd say there's quite a few that will do.