> Don't batteries also come with different ratings, like
> cranking AMPs? Could
> the rating of the battery also affect its life in a given
> application, like
> if it is under rated, it has to work harder and drain further
> every time the
> car is started? Just wondering.
Yes, they do, and at least in theory a larger (higher CCA) battery should last
longer.
But a lot of other factors affect battery life, and at least in my limited
experience, they make a lot more difference. Leaving the
lights on, for example, can significantly reduce battery life every time it
happens.
My experience with Costco batteries has not been perfect; in fact I just
replaced one that was only a few months old but had lost
nearly all of its capacity. But, their return policy is so great that I plan
to buy all my batteries there from now on. The only
question they asked me was "Is it defective.", and they gave me a 100% refund
(no pro-ration, not just a credit against a purchase)
including tax & core charge. Both on the battery that was only a few months
old, and it's predecessor (which lasted about 4 years).
By comparison, when I tried to return a 4 year old battery to O'Reillys, they
initially refused to even give me credit towards a
replacement. After a certain amount of heated discussion with the manager
(there was a "72 month" sticker right on the battery, no
matter what their computer said), they did give me some credit towards a new
battery, but not enough to cover the increase in price.
And the new one is only warrantied for 2 years.
Randall
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