Battery Life

[jptruck]

Drove my 2012 LR4 to a meeting this morning (short hop, 2 miles) and then it wouldn't crank. Battery just seemed to peter out. The good-old Micro-Start XP-10 brought it right back to life (I can't recommend this thing enough).

My questions is this: Is 5 years the life of a modern battery? That's what I'm being told. I have a 16 hour road trip over the weekend, and am thinking I need to replace it prior to leaving.

I'm worried about other gremlins eating the life of the battery, but I really have not had any starter issues with this car. I did install the stock trailer wiring harness this past week. I'm thinking that's just a coincidence. My vehicle would have some "slow" starts this past winter on really cold days (but would turn over). My old LR3 ate batteries, so I know the bad signs. I'm not seeing any of those.

 

[mpinco]

My 2011 is on its 3rd battery. The first was replaced by the dealer when I purchased it in 2013. The 3rd was a few months ago when I started to notice slightly less torque starting the truck, followed by a dead truck a week or two later. The 2nd battery, Interstate, last basically a few months short of 4 years.

I'd be getting a new battery before your 16 hour road trip.

 

[jptruck]

OK. Sounds about normal, I guess.

 

[cperez]

I just posted about my recent battery issues that resulted in a new Interstate battery from the dealer (under battery warranty). During my research while experiencing symptoms, I saw plenty of suggestions that our LR4s should get fresh juice every 4 yrs on average. Like @mpinco, my 2011 is on its 3rd battery...

I was in a similar situation with an upcoming 10-hour road trip when my symptoms first began. I stopped at the dealer on the way out of town and it tested out fine even though I had to jump it to get there. I didn't have any further issues until about a week after my return. The final diagnosis was that I had a bad cell.

I'd say you did well to get 5 yrs out of this one and that it would be prudent to get a new one before you leave. Also, thanks for the reminder about the Microstart XP-10. I need to get one of those.

 

[jptruck]

I tell ya, when they go, they go. I plan to replace it this afternoon. Went out for lunch and had to XP start it. After lunch, it started (on XP jump), but did a transmission fault and locked up the shifter...Shut it down, restarted it and it's all good. This vehicle needs battery juice or it gets cranky fast.

 

[ktm525]

Heated windshield, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, cooler box, headlights on all the time (Canada)...The electrical draw on these things are heavy. 4 years sounds about right.

 

[Surfrider77]

I honestly think environment takes its toll too. Out here in the middle east, I try not to push past 2 years. I know my Jeep friends seem to go through their batteries even quicker than that.

 

[equilibrium]

I honestly think environment takes its toll too. Out here in the middle east, I try not to push past 2 years. I know my Jeep friends seem to go through their batteries even quicker than that.

I agree with this. My 2013 is on its 3rd battery now. Here in the Middle East it would not last more than 2 yrs.
I had a Grand Cherokee and had to replace the battery every year.

 

[jptruck]

Interesting. I always thought that the cold was a battery killer. Didn't realize that heat was just as bad or worse

 

[Lgibson]

Oh yeah. Interstate and others make "southern" versions that do not overheat so readily. My Interstate guy did not want to sell me his top-rated Megatron Plus. Showed me a whole pallet of fried black-tops from police cruisers. Something about plate count or density causing acid to boil?