Mercury, the maker of higher grade Ford models with waterfall grilles such as the Milan and Grande Marquis, will have the same fate of GM's Pontiac and Saturn brands, according to a report from Bloomberg citing two unnamed people familiar with the plan.
The news agency said that Ford Motor Co executives could ask the automaker's board of directors as early as July to green-lit the (eventual) axing of the Mercury brand.
The Mercury brand was created in 1939 by Edsel Ford as a Buick-like, entry-level luxury marque slotted between mainstream Fords and premium Lincolns.
The brand's sales peaked in 1978 at 579,498 units, but have since plunged to just 92,299 vehicles last year. In the first quarter of 2010, Mercury's sales accounted for a mere 1.9% of FoMoCo's global sales.
I think the Fusion is a nice looking car, but I think the Milan looks even better...too bad it will probably have to go. I don't recall any one other than Richard think about buying a Mercury product.
I believe there are only two or three places that make car batteries anymore.
They private label them for whosever is selling them.
I always buy the best one I can find. I don't care about the length of the warranty as much as I care about cranking amps.
I had Honda install one in our CRV last year and I went to NAPA last summer and bought one for our elderly Explorer. The explorer battery was 120.00 but it is a VERY powerful one. I installed it myself. It must weigh 75 pounds!
Check Autozone and the like. Walmart has some decent prices but I've found sears to be very high. They charge for install. NTB sometimes has deals. I date my battery with a marker so I know when it's time to trade. Almost all are manufactured by 2-3 companies.
Walmart had Johnson Controls batteries and I have had great service from two for my Buick. I got a Johnson Controls battery but with the Advanced Auto name on it at Advance Auto Parts. Walmart didn't carry the battery for under the back seat on my newer leSabre.
What brand of battery do you guys recommend? Or should I take that question to one of the maintenance threads...
Don’t worry about brands because as others have said there are only a few battery manufactures anymore. They will build a battery to whatever specifications the retailer wants. Of course the better the specs the better the battery, nothing shocking there. If you want a battery to have good performance don’t buy a cheap battery. I doubt that you can get a decent battery today for less than $80.
Like ‘isell’ said, go with a battery with lots of cold cranking amps (CCA) it will cost more but it will last longer and it will be more reliable because it was built better. Not surprising the better batteries have a better warranty too.
FWIW, the battery I put in the ’05 XG350 last fall has 740 CCA with an 84 month total warranty but with a full replacement for the first 36 months. It is pro rated after that. I’m sure there are better batteries but that was good enough for what I wanted.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
If you ever have, you will tunr your head when you jump start someone!
I've never seen it happen first hand but I've seen several safety films that showed an exploding battery and turning your head won't help much. That's why the last connection should not be near either the good battery or the battery being jumped. The last connection should always be at a metal part of the car far enough away to be out of the hydrogen concentration area of either battery.
You only have to see a film clip of an exploding battery once and you won't take jump starting of a car casually anymore.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I was reading an old Car and Driver article about Toyota SUV's. They wondered why Toyo made a 'platinum' edition Sequoia as well as the Land Cruiser. Toyota said they were different buyers; the Land Cruiser has an avg. annual household income of $237,000 versus only $106,000 for the Sequoia.
The tested Sequoia stickered at $58K. Even a base one is around $40k. Doesn't that seem like a lot for a $106k/year household? Up to over half the annual income for a car? Or is it me? I think we've all had a friend at one point who has done this, but I was a little surprised to read of a major company relying on it as part of the marketing strategy.
since i have fords, i go to the dealer and buy the motorcraft brand. for the most part, i just try to buy the one with the most cranking amps. also, since i have had good luck with the longer duration batteries, i am ok buying one that is supposed to be good for 8 years. since you car is about 5 years old, i would check whomever you use for service. dealers have coupons, so you can check their website for discounts. if your car start having strange electrical things going on, i would replace the battery.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
I was coming out of work around 1998 when a secretary started her T-Bird (rather tried to start it). I was about 10 feet away and it scared me good. Sounded like an explosion as the battery top hit the underside of the hood.
We determined it was very low on water (acid) as there was very little wetness near the blown up battery causing the hydrogen gas to explode with the spark.
On a lighter note, I remember using the touch bumpers together routine in place of the ground wire (before bumpers went away). That method was never recommended, but it did work.
Also, you could disconnect the battery with the car running to see if your alternator was working. Not sure if computers made that obsolete as well.
I recently replaced the battery in my 4 1/2 year old Ridgeline because I thought it was sounding weak when cranking, and this is my main around town car and I didn't want it to fail on me away from the house. It had a 'green eye' hydrometer, which had been showing black, not green, for over two years.
I also recently replaced my wife's 2005 (5/2004 build date and I think it was the orginial) Deville battery when it failed, fortunately in the driveway.
Both from Walmart. It says Made by Exide on both.
Both batteries have more CCA than the orginial ones.
I was very surprised Walmart had the vented battery for under the rear seat of the Deville.
Each one was their highest priced, at $85, 7 or 8 year warranty, 3 year total replacement.
NAPA store had/could get one for the Deville, $149. Dealer (a Delco I'm sure) was surprisingly cheaper at $140.
ti....I wonder if those demographics for Sequoia vs Land Cruiser are still valid today, given the change in financial climate? Given a $100K annual income, could someone secure a $60K loan for a vehicle, currently?
I know that was a lot easier to do a couple of years ago. Today? No sure.
driver and bolivar....I've never liked the idea of the battery being in the passenger compartment, for the reasons you point out. Something goes sideways (even leaking toxic fumes), I don't want that battery close to me with next to nothing in between it and me.
A project car I had many years ago was an MGB GT. Batteries (2 six volt) were under the back seat. That always bothered me....not so much them blowing up, but the fumes they could give off.
since i have fords, i go to the dealer and buy the motorcraft brand.
With high mark-up, a dealership is about the last place I'd want to go to buy a battery. My Buick dealership wanted $200 for a GM battery installed. Bought a better Duralast Gold battery for around $80... takes all of 5 minutes to install it yourself.
A little more info on batteries:
The majority of car batteries are created by 3 manufacturers - Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries. Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries. A car battery is one of the few things that you will most likely have to replace if you own a car more than about 3 years. Most other parts and accessories will last longer, but the battery in a car needs replacing every 3 years or so. If you need to get a new battery installed, go to Goodyear, Sears, Firestone or Pep Boys. All these car stores carry large inventories and can install your battery onsite. Other retailers like Target, Kmart, and Walmart might offer cheaper prices for their batteries, but rarely do they install them
were under the back seat. That always bothered me....not so much them blowing up, but the fumes they could give off.
I don't understand the thinking of putting the battery under the back seat. Is that the best spot for putting something that could explode or leak - or even give off fumes?
It certainly isn't easy to get at. I suppose it saves room under the hood or in the trunk. Maybe weight distribution, but that's a crude way to get that benefit.
I am pretty sure our 1960 Volkwagon had the battery under the back seat. But, those were the days before safety became an issue.
Good info. I have had good luck on batteries from Costco also. Sam's has a pretty good price as well. Both seem to carry good quality batteries, or as we used to say, "battries".
I don't understand the thinking of putting the battery under the back seat.
But, those were the days before safety became an issue.
Hey Mr. Safety Man, is it OK to have the battery in the trunk? That's where my Genny has it. You couldn't put your fist under the hood of that car so I think I know why it's not there.
For those of you who are wondering, if you need to give or get a jump all you have to do is remove a plastic cover under the hood and two large terminals are readily available for that purpose.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I wouldn't replace a battery that hasn't shown any evidence of malfunction or weakness....
A 5-yr-old battery in what is essentially a pleasure-driven car? It might last another 5 years.. Plus, chances are that if it goes dead, it will be in your garage.. and, you can just jump it and drive it to the battery retailer for a new one. If it's somewhere else? That's what AAA is for!
That's like filling up your tank when it's half-empty, because you might not find another service station within 200 miles...
Ok, I've got the kicker on the battery front. In 1982 my dad bought himself the vehicle he always wanted, a black suburban. Very nice vehicle and it truly was his Sunday baby/road-trip vehicle only. I inherited it in 2002 (20years old - 80k kms) with the original battery in it. It was actually a "sealed", non refillable unit that he insisted on checking and had cut(pried?) the tabs over the cells off and kept the electrolyte topped off, then taped them back on with duct tape. Admittedly we live in a cooler climate (Calgary), but I figure 20+ years must be some kind of record. I eventually sold it because the carb rubber bits were drying out and i could smell fuel occasionally. The transmission died shortly thereafter...I hear.
Thanks to all you guys for the battery info. KYFDX, I haven't seen any problems with the battery yet, it's just that the car is five years old now, and might be due.
Isellhondas, I do intend to keep this car for a long time, if I can. Another five years seems reasonable. This is unless I win the lottery, in which case I'd trade in the Z for the new Mercedes convertible. Short of winning the lottery, ain't gonna happen. ;-)
As you can tell by the low miles, it's a pleasure car, mostly driven for short-ish trips, and not when temps are lower than 45 degrees due to the summer h.p. tires on it. I'll drive it until my knees no longer flex into those low seats. Good motivation to stay fit. ;-)
I don't understand the thinking of putting the battery under the back seat.
One of a battery's worst enemies is heat ( http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-35.htm ). Relocating the battery away from the engine compartment largely eliminates that issue. Heat shields around a battery in the engine bay (My former '93 Mazda MX-3 had one) can only do so much to insulate the battery from engine heat.
Take the heat away and I'd assume the odds of a battery exploding, bulging, or venting excessive fumes would be greatly diminished. Battery life might even be extended.
Also, I'd guess the area under the rear seats is underutilized in modern cars, making it a good location for something that rarely needs access. Besides the improved weight distribution, designers are also freeing up something close to a cubic foot of space under the hood, which might allow for more interesting/efficient engine bay layouts or at least more room for airflow to cool the engine.
BTW, hybrids sometimes put their battery packs in that general area (often intruding into the trunk). The upcoming Chevy Volt uses a T-shaped battery that goes under the rear seat & between the passenger seats (like the old trans hump): http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0901_chevy_volt/photo_04.html
Since I have spent all of my life in and around shops, I've seen several car batteries explode and it isn't pretty.
When I worked for Sears, we had a bunch of Diehards that were defective from the factory. They weren't vented right or something. Several cars came in with exploded batteries under the hoods. Oh, did the acid make a mess! I had to reimburse three of four customers but engine details and paint.
One night after the store was closed, I was taking inventory in the battery shop when one suddently exploded on a charging rack that was behind me!
I didn't get hit by the battery or splased with acid but the explosion scared the bejeeses out of me. Made an M-80 sound like a cap pistol!
Another time I was buying gas in Compton CA when a couple of guys in lowriders were jumping one of the cars. A battery exploded! I thought it was a shotgun.
Two of us grabbed the guy who had taken it in the face and we held him upside down in a tire water tank. The kind of tank used for finding leaks.
As a result, I have a lot of respect for car batteries!
I just don't like getting stranded or the thought of my wife getting stranded.
If my battery hits the five year mark, I'll start keeping my eyes open for a good sale somewhere. Batteries are not expensive and I just like replacing them on MY terms. I've had a couple fail without warning in the past although they usually do give some warning.
On the other hand, I always wait until the light comes on before I'll stop for gas! Go figure.
It sure is and batteries that are sold in the South account for this. When I moved to SC in the early '90's that summer heat killed the 3 year old batteries in both of my cars. Once I got Southern build batteries everything returned to normal again.
An often over looked item regarding a battery, that is changed by the home owner, is the hold down clamp. Sometimes they break but since the battery seems to sit just fine in its battery tray the hold down clamp is not replaced. Not holding a battery firmly in place will kill it sooner than anything else. More batteries have been shaken to death than most people realize.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I've never actually seen it, but I have heard one explode. It was night and I was in my front yard looking through a telescope. The car came down the street, pulled into my neighbor's drive, was getting ready to back out when suddenly there was an explosion that sounded like a shotgun going off. This happened about 20 feet from me and I about had a heart attack. Timidly, I went over to see what had transpired. The driver popped his hood and we could easily see bits of battery casing and acid all over the engine compartment and underside of the hood. He borrowed a hose from my neighbor and doused the engine compartment with water (probably not recommended in the service manual). My neighbor and I got another neighbor and pushed the car out of the drive, across the street and against the curb until it could be towed.
I've heard that batteries explode because of a build up of Hydrogen gas often caused by overcharging. Makes me wonder if there was a fault with his electrical system unless, perhaps, he had just had it charged before driving to my neighborhood.
Battery life: I listen to the sound of the engine cranking for hints that batteries are starting to lose that oooomph for cranking. I had the last one checked at Walmart because I thought it was starting to lose that cranking maximum--and they said it still tested okay within their standards for warranty replacement under pro rata on the 9 year warranty. The next summer, I was back and this time it did test below standard. I think it only lasted 7.5 years, which I consider more than enough. I did get a small reduction in cost.
My favorite test is sitting in a driveway with the lights on for a few minutes waiting for my wife to do something and then listening to the crank. Draining the battery slightly seems to make it easier to detect that lack of power in the starter.
Draining a battery completely cuts its life 10%. I found that tidbit somewhere while looking for replacement batteries under my rear seat on the newer leSabre. Keeping a more constant temperature for the battery helps extend its life. Under the hood is not good.
Others: I was amazed someone said Walmart had the correct battery for vent tubes under their Seville's seat. The leSabre is related to the Seville but Wally World doesn't carry my battery.
Batteries under rear seat: I feel better about a properly maintained, vented battery under my rear seat than I do about a brand of vehicle that may have uncontrolled acceleration that they hid for years as much as they could.
I think the furor over batteries under the rear seat is much ado about nothing. The fumes from a battery are only oxygen and hydrogen, if I recall my chemistry of the sulphate battery system. The two would combine explosively with a spark present or sunlight (?). The autoexplosion temperature required is 932 def. F. Not likely to occur in your trunk or under the rear seat in a properly working battery.
Working in a store, testing and receiving batteries giving problems, would mean seeing a lot of bad batteries with a higher likelihood of explosion occurring on attempting to test or recharge the batteries.
I view replacing a battery before the end of its life the same as tires. They used to say 50% of tire problems occurred in the last 10% of their life (based on tread depth).
"That's like filling up your tank when it's half-empty, because you might not find another service station within 200 miles..."
Yes, but it's no fun when it dies in some parking lot, which has happened to me twice. Both times were at night and necessitated finding someone to jump the car, which I drove home and then had jumped again until I could buy a replacement. Maybe, I'm just unlucky. At least my current battery that died (and got this discussion going) happened in my garage. There was no warning like poor starting prior to any of the three cases mentioned.
Toyota said they were different buyers; the Land Cruiser has an avg. annual household income of $237,000 versus only $106,000 for the Sequoia.
To me, the scary part about that statistic is that it is average income. That means folks could be making a good bit less than $100k and buying a $40k+ vehicle. Yikes!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
That's like filling up your tank when it's half-empty, because you might not find another service station within 200 miles
That's just crazy talk. Why fill up your tank when it's half empty, when you MIGHT find another service station with gas $0.02/gallon cheaper down the road? Stopping early ruins the fun of that little game I like to call "fuel-price lottery."
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Long ago I was a finance director at a Dodge store. One day a customer came into my office who was purchasing a Ram truck. The first words out of his mouth were "I will not buy the truck if I can't get accidental disability insurance on it." Turns out he had a battery explode on him and he was off work 6 months.
i paid $112 for the last battery i bought at the dealer and installed it myself. since i have been satisfied with the originals and the replacements, i just buy them from the dealer. before the latest battery purchase, i had been paying about $85. on the topic of cars with new batteries, i feel like i am driving a new car. for the summer i am letting one of my kids drive my Fusion and i am driving their Escape for the summer. they have an internship which requires an 80 mile round trip pretty much daily, so after 6 years i am driving my new 6 year old Escape.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Hey Mr. Safety Man, is it OK to have the battery in the trunk? That's where my Genny has it. You couldn't put your fist under the hood of that car so I think I know why it's not there.
First, let me compliment you, Isell, Jip and many others who gave good technical advice about battery replacement, every 5 years. Although, I know little about technical issues, many fine articles I have read say batteries should be replaced at the 5 year mark....after that it is a gamble and it could be costly to lose. If a $100 battery lasts for 5 years, why gamble on getting an extra 1 or 2 years more use from it, when calling a tow truck or missing a big sale, or losing a good job at Edmunds because you are late for work could actually cost you a lot more than the $20 a year the battery has cost you?
Like your Gennie, our BMWs have the battery in the trunk as well. We were told by our salesman that it is to get more even weight distribution. I am sure that Hyundai would think that would be a feature they would like to use as well.
Unless you have seen (or heard) one go off you wouldn't believe it.
When I was in college I had a vintage Oldsmobile I would drive once in awhile. It was a 1940 and it was beautiful.
So one day I ran the battery down trying to start it. It had bad points that were causing the hard starting.
I somehow got it to the Mobil Station where I worked part time. My boss agreed to install the points.
So, he hooked up the battery charger and went to work.
On that model they used that long skinny 6 volt battery. The distributor was right above the battery. Rex, my boss with a cigeratte in is mouth was installing the points. The battery was cooking away.
I was in the back room when I heard a LOUD explosion!
I ran out to find Rex leaning againt the building looking totally dazed.
" What was that?"
" I don't know..." He was really out of it.
I saw yellow plastic bits in his hair. I looked under hood and the battery was intact but it had blown the caps off!
I can't fathom just how LOUD that must have been for him since he was two feet away.
Strangly enough, the battery survived! I managed to scronge some old caps somewhere and it lasted quite awhile after that.
I'll have to email my long retired buddy Rex and remind him of that!
I've replaced some myself -- the jeep is right there. Others are buried under stuff and some come out of a panel in the wheelwell. They are heavy. Carried one 1 mile when I was 20. Bought a new one and carried it back to the car. Sloshed some fluid on my jeans and shoes. Pants disintegrated in the wash and the stiching dissolved on my Bass Weejuns. Took me a while to realize what happened. My mind was mostly on coeds at the time.
On the subject of batteries, 6 or 7 years ago all the talk was about going to a 32 volt system in all cars. Back then the change was going to take place around 2005. As near as I can tell the change never happened.
I hate to admit it, but I never knew that a car battery could explode. I've jumped a lot of dead batteries, but no more. I'm taking the cables out of the Explorer and putting them away. I'll just call AAA. It's not worth the risk.
I bought a new 7 year battery for the Explorer last June 9th. It was $100 including installation from my Chrysler dealer. One thing that I was taught years ago was to keep the connecting cables clean and free of corrosion in order to lengthen the life of the battery. Many people may not think of doing that. Imagine ME learning something technical. Dad would be proud that I remembered.
Oh, the chances of a battery exploding are so remote that you shouldn't worry about it. Just don't get a spark around a battery that is charging and don't mix up the cables when you jump it.
You brought back sweet memories for me. Bass Weejuns were a must when I was a teen. I still remember my first pair. The rage was to wear them without socks to the beach. You couldn't hit the dance floor to shag without them. I still remember sitting on the back steps at home polishing those Weejuns to a high shine. The next year I got a navy blue pair for Christmas. That was the creme de la creme of the Weejun world...navy blue Weejuns. I nursed those two pairs of shoes through high school and college. I always replaced the soles and heels with real leather. It made the dance steps so much smoother.
A few years ago, I tried on a pair of Weejuns. They killed my feet. Either they don't make them like they used to or I've just gotten too old to tolerate them. (Don't respond to that statement!) I still shag at times, when my hips and legs will allow it, but I wear a different brand of shoes.
A normal battery that has been run down being connected to a jumper cable is okay as long as the last connection is a ground (negative) cable attached to a metal part of the motor away from the battery.
It's only after a battery has started being charged, such as connected to another good battery in another car, that it might give off enough gas to accumulate hydrogen in a concentration appropriate for exploding in a spark nearby or cigarette burn nearby.
During the discharge phase no hydrogen nor oxygen is generated in the battery.
If you are asking me personally..."no, never". I have had old cars that I had clean the guck off the battery, I have filled batteries with distilled water (if I remember correctly), I have had to jump start my car or someone else's (hate doing that), and I have coated the terminals with vaseline or ky or something, jelly. But, changed the battery, "no".
Hope that helps, I get a feeling something is coming my way.
One thing that I was taught years ago was to keep the connecting cables clean and free of corrosion in order to lengthen the life of the battery.
When you buy your new GLK or other fine car you can forget that lesson. The new batteries are maintenance free.
I am with you. I took the jumper cables out of my car. I have helped a lot of people and have come close to losing my whole electrical system because some people think they know what they are doing.
i>One thing that I was taught years ago was to keep the connecting cables clean and free of corrosion in order to lengthen the life of the battery.i>
When you buy your new GLK or other fine car you can forget that lesson. The new batteries are maintenance free.
I am with you. I took the jumper cables out of my car. I have helped a lot of people and have come close to losing my whole electrical system because some people who think they know what they are doing, really don't.
Comments
The news agency said that Ford Motor Co executives could ask the automaker's board of directors as early as July to green-lit the (eventual) axing of the Mercury brand.
The Mercury brand was created in 1939 by Edsel Ford as a Buick-like, entry-level luxury marque slotted between mainstream Fords and premium Lincolns.
The brand's sales peaked in 1978 at 579,498 units, but have since plunged to just 92,299 vehicles last year. In the first quarter of 2010, Mercury's sales accounted for a mere 1.9% of FoMoCo's global sales.
I think the Fusion is a nice looking car, but I think the Milan looks even better...too bad it will probably have to go. I don't recall any one other than Richard think about buying a Mercury product.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mercury lost it's uniqueness years ago just like the GM cars did.
There are only fords with a bit of different trim to make them look a bit different.
They private label them for whosever is selling them.
I always buy the best one I can find. I don't care about the length of the warranty as much as I care about cranking amps.
I had Honda install one in our CRV last year and I went to NAPA last summer and bought one for our elderly Explorer. The explorer battery was 120.00 but it is a VERY powerful one. I installed it myself. It must weigh 75 pounds!
Sears sells good batteries too.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you plan to get ride of the car soon, I would go with a mid-range battery but if you plan to hang on to that car for awhile, go top of the line.
They aren't much more money and it could make the difference of starting or not starting.
Anyone ever see a car battery explode?
If you ever have, you will tunr your head when you jump start someone!
Don’t worry about brands because as others have said there are only a few battery manufactures anymore. They will build a battery to whatever specifications the retailer wants. Of course the better the specs the better the battery, nothing shocking there. If you want a battery to have good performance don’t buy a cheap battery. I doubt that you can get a decent battery today for less than $80.
Like ‘isell’ said, go with a battery with lots of cold cranking amps (CCA) it will cost more but it will last longer and it will be more reliable because it was built better. Not surprising the better batteries have a better warranty too.
FWIW, the battery I put in the ’05 XG350 last fall has 740 CCA with an 84 month total warranty but with a full replacement for the first 36 months. It is pro rated after that. I’m sure there are better batteries but that was good enough for what I wanted.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
If you ever have, you will tunr your head when you jump start someone!
I've never seen it happen first hand but I've seen several safety films that showed an exploding battery and turning your head won't help much. That's why the last connection should not be near either the good battery or the battery being jumped. The last connection should always be at a metal part of the car far enough away to be out of the hydrogen concentration area of either battery.
You only have to see a film clip of an exploding battery once and you won't take jump starting of a car casually anymore.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The tested Sequoia stickered at $58K. Even a base one is around $40k. Doesn't that seem like a lot for a $106k/year household? Up to over half the annual income for a car? Or is it me? I think we've all had a friend at one point who has done this, but I was a little surprised to read of a major company relying on it as part of the marketing strategy.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
for the most part, i just try to buy the one with the most cranking amps.
also, since i have had good luck with the longer duration batteries, i am ok buying one that is supposed to be good for 8 years.
since you car is about 5 years old, i would check whomever you use for service.
dealers have coupons, so you can check their website for discounts.
if your car start having strange electrical things going on, i would replace the battery.
We determined it was very low on water (acid) as there was very little wetness near the blown up battery causing the hydrogen gas to explode with the spark.
On a lighter note, I remember using the touch bumpers together routine in place of the ground wire (before bumpers went away). That method was never recommended, but it did work.
Also, you could disconnect the battery with the car running to see if your alternator was working. Not sure if computers made that obsolete as well.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Nope. The MS3 has a normal-sized battery.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I also recently replaced my wife's 2005 (5/2004 build date and I think it was the orginial) Deville battery when it failed, fortunately in the driveway.
Both from Walmart. It says Made by Exide on both.
Both batteries have more CCA than the orginial ones.
I was very surprised Walmart had the vented battery for under the rear seat of the Deville.
Each one was their highest priced, at $85, 7 or 8 year warranty, 3 year total replacement.
NAPA store had/could get one for the Deville, $149. Dealer (a Delco I'm sure) was surprisingly cheaper at $140.
I'll see how the Walmart ones work out.
Are these "under the seat" batteries really under the back seat?
What happens if one of those explodes when you have passengers?
Is that one of GMs better ideas...a new way to get rid of the mother-in-law?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I know that was a lot easier to do a couple of years ago. Today? No sure.
A project car I had many years ago was an MGB GT. Batteries (2 six volt) were under the back seat. That always bothered me....not so much them blowing up, but the fumes they could give off.
With high mark-up, a dealership is about the last place I'd want to go to buy a battery. My Buick dealership wanted $200 for a GM battery installed. Bought a better Duralast Gold battery for around $80... takes all of 5 minutes to install it yourself.
A little more info on batteries:
The majority of car batteries are created by 3 manufacturers - Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries. Delphi makes some EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries. A car battery is one of the few things that you will most likely have to replace if you own a car more than about 3 years. Most other parts and accessories will last longer, but the battery in a car needs replacing every 3 years or so. If you need to get a new battery installed, go to Goodyear, Sears, Firestone or Pep Boys. All these car stores carry large inventories and can install your battery onsite. Other retailers like Target, Kmart, and Walmart might offer cheaper prices for their batteries, but rarely do they install them
I don't understand the thinking of putting the battery under the back seat. Is that the best spot for putting something that could explode or leak - or even give off fumes?
It certainly isn't easy to get at. I suppose it saves room under the hood or in the trunk. Maybe weight distribution, but that's a crude way to get that benefit.
I am pretty sure our 1960 Volkwagon had the battery under the back seat. But, those were the days before safety became an issue.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
But, those were the days before safety became an issue.
Hey Mr. Safety Man, is it OK to have the battery in the trunk? That's where my Genny has it. You couldn't put your fist under the hood of that car so I think I know why it's not there.
For those of you who are wondering, if you need to give or get a jump all you have to do is remove a plastic cover under the hood and two large terminals are readily available for that purpose.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
A 5-yr-old battery in what is essentially a pleasure-driven car? It might last another 5 years.. Plus, chances are that if it goes dead, it will be in your garage.. and, you can just jump it and drive it to the battery retailer for a new one. If it's somewhere else? That's what AAA is for!
That's like filling up your tank when it's half-empty, because you might not find another service station within 200 miles...
regards,
kyfdx
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In 1982 my dad bought himself the vehicle he always wanted, a black suburban. Very nice vehicle and it truly was his Sunday baby/road-trip vehicle only. I inherited it in 2002 (20years old - 80k kms) with the original battery in it. It was actually a "sealed", non refillable unit that he insisted on checking and had cut(pried?) the tabs over the cells off and kept the electrolyte topped off, then taped them back on with duct tape. Admittedly we live in a cooler climate (Calgary), but I figure 20+ years must be some kind of record. I eventually sold it because the carb rubber bits were drying out and i could smell fuel occasionally. The transmission died shortly thereafter...I hear.
Isellhondas, I do intend to keep this car for a long time, if I can. Another five years seems reasonable. This is unless I win the lottery, in which case I'd trade in the Z for the new Mercedes convertible. Short of winning the lottery, ain't gonna happen. ;-)
As you can tell by the low miles, it's a pleasure car, mostly driven for short-ish trips, and not when temps are lower than 45 degrees due to the summer h.p. tires on it. I'll drive it until my knees no longer flex into those low seats. Good motivation to stay fit. ;-)
One of a battery's worst enemies is heat ( http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-35.htm ). Relocating the battery away from the engine compartment largely eliminates that issue. Heat shields around a battery in the engine bay (My former '93 Mazda MX-3 had one) can only do so much to insulate the battery from engine heat.
Take the heat away and I'd assume the odds of a battery exploding, bulging, or venting excessive fumes would be greatly diminished. Battery life might even be extended.
Also, I'd guess the area under the rear seats is underutilized in modern cars, making it a good location for something that rarely needs access. Besides the improved weight distribution, designers are also freeing up something close to a cubic foot of space under the hood, which might allow for more interesting/efficient engine bay layouts or at least more room for airflow to cool the engine.
BTW, hybrids sometimes put their battery packs in that general area (often intruding into the trunk). The upcoming Chevy Volt uses a T-shaped battery that goes under the rear seat & between the passenger seats (like the old trans hump): http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0901_chevy_volt/photo_04.html
When I worked for Sears, we had a bunch of Diehards that were defective from the factory. They weren't vented right or something. Several cars came in with exploded batteries under the hoods. Oh, did the acid make a mess! I had to reimburse three of four customers but engine details and paint.
One night after the store was closed, I was taking inventory in the battery shop when one suddently exploded on a charging rack that was behind me!
I didn't get hit by the battery or splased with acid but the explosion scared the bejeeses out of me. Made an M-80 sound like a cap pistol!
Another time I was buying gas in Compton CA when a couple of guys in lowriders were jumping one of the cars. A battery exploded! I thought it was a shotgun.
Two of us grabbed the guy who had taken it in the face and we held him upside down in a tire water tank. The kind of tank used for finding leaks.
As a result, I have a lot of respect for car batteries!
I just don't like getting stranded or the thought of my wife getting stranded.
If my battery hits the five year mark, I'll start keeping my eyes open for a good sale somewhere. Batteries are not expensive and I just like replacing them on MY terms. I've had a couple fail without warning in the past although they usually do give some warning.
On the other hand, I always wait until the light comes on before I'll stop for gas! Go figure.
It sure is and batteries that are sold in the South account for this. When I moved to SC in the early '90's that summer heat killed the 3 year old batteries in both of my cars. Once I got Southern build batteries everything returned to normal again.
An often over looked item regarding a battery, that is changed by the home owner, is the hold down clamp. Sometimes they break but since the battery seems to sit just fine in its battery tray the hold down clamp is not replaced. Not holding a battery firmly in place will kill it sooner than anything else. More batteries have been shaken to death than most people realize.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I've never actually seen it, but I have heard one explode. It was night and I was in my front yard looking through a telescope. The car came down the street, pulled into my neighbor's drive, was getting ready to back out when suddenly there was an explosion that sounded like a shotgun going off. This happened about 20 feet from me and I about had a heart attack. Timidly, I went over to see what had transpired. The driver popped his hood and we could easily see bits of battery casing and acid all over the engine compartment and underside of the hood. He borrowed a hose from my neighbor and doused the engine compartment with water (probably not recommended in the service manual). My neighbor and I got another neighbor and pushed the car out of the drive, across the street and against the curb until it could be towed.
I've heard that batteries explode because of a build up of Hydrogen gas often caused by overcharging. Makes me wonder if there was a fault with his electrical system unless, perhaps, he had just had it charged before driving to my neighborhood.
Gogiboy
I listen to the sound of the engine cranking for hints that batteries are starting to lose that oooomph for cranking. I had the last one checked at Walmart because I thought it was starting to lose that cranking maximum--and they said it still tested okay within their standards for warranty replacement under pro rata on the 9 year warranty. The next summer, I was back and this time it did test below standard. I think it only lasted 7.5 years, which I consider more than enough. I did get a small reduction in cost.
My favorite test is sitting in a driveway with the lights on for a few minutes waiting for my wife to do something and then listening to the crank. Draining the battery slightly seems to make it easier to detect that lack of power in the starter.
Draining a battery completely cuts its life 10%. I found that tidbit somewhere while looking for replacement batteries under my rear seat on the newer leSabre. Keeping a more constant temperature for the battery helps extend its life. Under the hood is not good.
Others:
I was amazed someone said Walmart had the correct battery for vent tubes under their Seville's seat. The leSabre is related to the Seville but Wally World doesn't carry my battery.
Batteries under rear seat:
I feel better about a properly maintained, vented battery under my rear seat than I do about a brand of vehicle that may have uncontrolled acceleration that they hid for years as much as they could.
I think the furor over batteries under the rear seat is much ado about nothing. The fumes from a battery are only oxygen and hydrogen, if I recall my chemistry of the sulphate battery system. The two would combine explosively with a spark present or sunlight (?). The autoexplosion temperature required is 932 def. F. Not likely to occur in your trunk or under the rear seat in a properly working battery.
Working in a store, testing and receiving batteries giving problems, would mean seeing a lot of bad batteries with a higher likelihood of explosion occurring on attempting to test or recharge the batteries.
I view replacing a battery before the end of its life the same as tires. They used to say 50% of tire problems occurred in the last 10% of their life (based on tread depth).
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yes, but it's no fun when it dies in some parking lot, which has happened to me twice. Both times were at night and necessitated finding someone to jump the car, which I drove home and then had jumped again until I could buy a replacement. Maybe, I'm just unlucky. At least my current battery that died (and got this discussion going) happened in my garage. There was no warning like poor starting prior to any of the three cases mentioned.
Gogiboy
To me, the scary part about that statistic is that it is average income. That means folks could be making a good bit less than $100k and buying a $40k+ vehicle. Yikes!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
That's just crazy talk. Why fill up your tank when it's half empty, when you MIGHT find another service station with gas $0.02/gallon cheaper down the road? Stopping early ruins the fun of that little game I like to call "fuel-price lottery."
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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since i have been satisfied with the originals and the replacements, i just buy them from the dealer. before the latest battery purchase, i had been paying about $85.
on the topic of cars with new batteries, i feel like i am driving a new car.
for the summer i am letting one of my kids drive my Fusion and i am driving their Escape for the summer.
they have an internship which requires an 80 mile round trip pretty much daily, so after 6 years i am driving my new 6 year old Escape.
First, let me compliment you, Isell, Jip and many others who gave good technical advice about battery replacement, every 5 years. Although, I know little about technical issues, many fine articles I have read say batteries should be replaced at the 5 year mark....after that it is a gamble and it could be costly to lose. If a $100 battery lasts for 5 years, why gamble on getting an extra 1 or 2 years more use from it, when calling a tow truck or missing a big sale, or losing a good job at Edmunds because you are late for work could actually cost you a lot more than the $20 a year the battery has cost you?
Like your Gennie, our BMWs have the battery in the trunk as well. We were told by our salesman that it is to get more even weight distribution. I am sure that Hyundai would think that would be a feature they would like to use as well.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I was in college I had a vintage Oldsmobile I would drive once in awhile. It was a 1940 and it was beautiful.
So one day I ran the battery down trying to start it. It had bad points that were causing the hard starting.
I somehow got it to the Mobil Station where I worked part time. My boss agreed to install the points.
So, he hooked up the battery charger and went to work.
On that model they used that long skinny 6 volt battery. The distributor was right above the battery. Rex, my boss with a cigeratte in is mouth was installing the points. The battery was cooking away.
I was in the back room when I heard a LOUD explosion!
I ran out to find Rex leaning againt the building looking totally dazed.
" What was that?"
" I don't know..." He was really out of it.
I saw yellow plastic bits in his hair. I looked under hood and the battery was intact but it had blown the caps off!
I can't fathom just how LOUD that must have been for him since he was two feet away.
Strangly enough, the battery survived! I managed to scronge some old caps somewhere and it lasted quite awhile after that.
I'll have to email my long retired buddy Rex and remind him of that!
On the subject of batteries, 6 or 7 years ago all the talk was about going to a 32 volt system in all cars. Back then the change was going to take place around 2005. As near as I can tell the change never happened.
Anyone else remember this? If so, what happened?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I bought a new 7 year battery for the Explorer last June 9th. It was $100 including installation from my Chrysler dealer. One thing that I was taught years ago was to keep the connecting cables clean and free of corrosion in order to lengthen the life of the battery. Many people may not think of doing that. Imagine ME learning something technical. Dad would be proud that I remembered.
Richard
Still, I always turn my head when jumping a car.
You brought back sweet memories for me. Bass Weejuns were a must when I was a teen. I still remember my first pair. The rage was to wear them without socks to the beach. You couldn't hit the dance floor to shag without them. I still remember sitting on the back steps at home polishing those Weejuns to a high shine. The next year I got a navy blue pair for Christmas. That was the creme de la creme of the Weejun world...navy blue Weejuns. I nursed those two pairs of shoes through high school and college. I always replaced the soles and heels with real leather. It made the dance steps so much smoother.
A few years ago, I tried on a pair of Weejuns. They killed my feet. Either they don't make them like they used to or I've just gotten too old to tolerate them. (Don't respond to that statement!) I still shag at times, when my hips and legs will allow it, but I wear a different brand of shoes.
Thanks for that wonderful memory.
Richard
It's only after a battery has started being charged, such as connected to another good battery in another car, that it might give off enough gas to accumulate hydrogen in a concentration appropriate for exploding in a spark nearby or cigarette burn nearby.
During the discharge phase no hydrogen nor oxygen is generated in the battery.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
If you are asking me personally..."no, never". I have had old cars that I had clean the guck off the battery, I have filled batteries with distilled water (if I remember correctly), I have had to jump start my car or someone else's (hate doing that), and I have coated the terminals with vaseline or ky or something, jelly. But, changed the battery, "no".
Hope that helps, I get a feeling something is coming my way.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When you buy your new GLK or other fine car you can forget that lesson. The new batteries are maintenance free.
I am with you. I took the jumper cables out of my car. I have helped a lot of people and have come close to losing my whole electrical system because some people think they know what they are doing.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When you buy your new GLK or other fine car you can forget that lesson. The new batteries are maintenance free.
I am with you. I took the jumper cables out of my car. I have helped a lot of people and have come close to losing my whole electrical system because some people who think they know what they are doing, really don't.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250