My Liberty hasn't been turning over to good after sitting undriven for a couple days.  And now it's dead.

Might be time for a new battery.

What are you recommendations?

Optima
/thread

A lot of people seem to like Optima, but I have never had one.

I like Sears Diehard Gold batteries. 3 year easy replace warranty if it goes bad(and I have had one that did. just bring it in and get a new one)

One of the best batteries I have ever owned is a Duralast Gold from AutoZone...fairly decent price with an 8 year warranty, and for the first 3 of the warranty its free replacement.

The only thing I know is; there was an article in a car rag a couple years ago that tested batteries' CCA rated/marked vs. actual.

Diehard scored at or next to the bottom for over-rating the CCA on their batteries (i.e. an "800cca" battery actually tested more like 500cca)

AC Delco scored at or near the top (i.e. a "500cca" battery was actually a 500cca battery)

If I'm not going to put an AC Delco in a newer car (read: the wife's car), or an Optima in something with a winch on it, I typically just put in a Duralast or whatever the auto parts store has... They seem to work as well as and last as long as a Diehard or similar, though I've had AC Delcos last longer than anything else (Never had an Optima long enough to test life)...

Mike

These.  Consumer Reports best buy.  They are great batteries.

I've used Interstate and Optima batteries (not just in cars) and the Interstate batteries tend to be more reliable, but the Optimas are nice as well, far better than the rest of the pack.

Interstate for my cars, Optima for the Jeep.

optima is the best.  yellow top for contant abuse, red top for starting, blue top for extended use without recharge.  5 year warranty, i've gotten a brand new battery after 3 years no questions asked.  it was on my low rider which layed frame, draining the battery severely.

I've always used Sears Diehard batteries.  Had good luck with them.  

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/batteries.html

Dry cell batteries is the way to go.

I have had their PC680 in my Mach 1 for the last 4 years. It kicks over the 10:1 compression motor like its nothing. I would not suggest the 680 for everyone but at 12lbs it cut about 30lbs off my front end which is why I use it. I also am running a stereo system in the car that has about 400 watts and it handles that as well.

I think their PC1200 would be perfect for a car/truck/SUV and it has a 1200A for 5sec cranking and 550CCA.

You could have looked in the yellow pages and gotten the same information you're getting here. Asking "what is the best anything" is a stupid exercise.

the two optima red tops that have been in my dodge cummins PU truck have been great for the past 8 years. They go through hell with cool starts and the grid heaters running in the winter. never had a problem with them. they are worth the expense to me.

J-

If you put weight in Consumer Reports:

In performance order, within type.        

 Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features
           
 Group 65

 DieHard Platinum 50065   $180 90
   45/100 • • 930
 Duralast Gold 65-DLG  97 80
   36/96 •   875
Kirkland Signature 12866  75 78
   36/100 • • 900
 NAPA Performance Select 8465  90 77
   24/84 • • 750
 AutoCraft Titanium 65-2  90 77
   36/84 •   850
EverStart Maxx-65N (North)  75 76
   36/108 • • 850
EverStart Maxx-65S (South)  75 73
   36/108 •   700
 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-65  114 72
   30/85     850
 DieHard Gold 33165 (South)  110 67
   36/100 • • 700
 Duralast 65-DL  88 66
   24/84 •   750
 DieHard Gold 33065 (North)  110 62
   36/100 • • 875
 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65  100 60
   24/75     675
 DieHard 30065 (North)  90 54
   18/72 • • 675
 DieHard 30365 (South)  90 50
   18/72 • • 540

 Group 34/78 & 78

 DieHard Platinum 50090   180 91
   48/100 • • 880
 Optima RedTop SC34U  150 76
   36/72 • • 800
 Deka Intimidator 9A78DT  188 75
   12/36 • • 750
 DieHard SUV, Truck and Van 39990 (South)  120 72
   36/100 • • 725
NAPA Select 84 34/78  82 67
   24/84 • • 800
AutoCraft Titanium 34/78-4  83 66
   36/84 •   800
 DieHard SUV, Truck and Van 39890 (North)  120 66
   36/100 • • 875
 Orbital Exide Select ORB78DT-84  172 66
   36/84 • • 770
 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-78DT  113 63
   30/85 •   800
 Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG  95 63
   36/96 •   800
 EverStart Maxx-78N (North)  75 60
   36/108 • • 770
 EverStart Maxx-78S (South)  75 59
   36/108 •   650
 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78DT  99 52
   24/75 •   725

 Group 24 /24F

 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24  101 83
   30/85 •   800
EverStart Maxx-24N (North)  75 82
   36/108 • • 700
EverStart Maxx-24S (South)  75 78
   36/108 •   700
 DieHard Gold 33123 (South)  110 76
   36/100 • • 700
 Duralast Gold 24-DLG  89 75
   36/96 •   750
 AutoCraft Titanium 24-6  85 72
   36/84 •   700
 DieHard Gold 33023 (North)  110 59
   36/100 • • 700
 Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-24  88 43
   24/75     600

 Group 35

 Duralast Gold 35-DLG  93 79
   36/96 •   640
EverStart Maxx-35N (North)  75 79
   36/108 •   640
 DieHard Gold 33035 (North)  110 78
   36/100 • • 640
EverStart Maxx-35S (South)  75 73
   36/108 •   550
 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35  90 68
   30/85     640
 DieHard Gold 33135 (South)  110 64
   36/100 • • 550

 Group 75

 Duralast Gold 75-DLG  89 75
   36/96 •   720
 Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-75  100 75
   30/85     700
 AutoCraft Titanium 75-3  85 74
   36/84 •   700
EverStart Maxx-75N (North)  75 73
   36/108 • • 690
EverStart Maxx-75S (South)  75 73
   36/108 •   550
 DieHard Gold 33075 (North)  110 72
   36/108 • • 700
 DieHard Gold 33175 (South)  110 69
   36/108 • • 550
Kirkland Signature 12869  60 68
   36/100 • • 700
 NAPA Select 84 8475  90 68
   24/84 • • 650

More:

CR Quick Recommendations Auto batteries
A battery's service life is the most important consideration, we believe, so our Ratings put more weight on our life-test results than reserve capacity and cold-cranking performance; you're likely to find that the trade-off is worth it. We rate auto batteries by overall performance within group sizes and identify models that are sealed and maintenance-free—a plus if your vehicle's battery is difficult to reach

These models offer the best combination of performance and price. All are Recommended and stand out for the reasons below.




Recommended
For cold-weather climates:
Kirkland Signature 12866 $75 (65)
EverStart Maxx-65N (North) $75 (65)
NAPA Select 84 $82 (34/78 & 78)
EverStart Maxx-24N (North) $75 (24/24F)
EverStart Maxx-35N (North) $75 (35)
EverStart Maxx-75N (North) $75 (75)
The EverStart models are particularly good values.
For more temperate climates:
EverStart Maxx-65S (South) $75 (65)
AutoCraft Titanium $83 (34/78 & 78)
EverStart Maxx-24S (South) $75 (24/24F)
EverStart Maxx-35S (South) $75 (35)
Kirkland Signature 12869 $60 (75)
EverStart Maxx-75S (South) $75 (75)
All warmer-climate batteries scored relatively well in life and reserve capacity and are either national or Southern regional batteries.

More:

Our battery-life test is based on a standard recently adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Our test includes partially draining and then recharging each battery almost 3,000 times over a 10-week period, during which the battery must meet voltage and amperage limits based on real-life demands. The highest scorers maintained higher voltages and were able to withstand more cycles.
In addition to how we test car batteries for endurance, our reserve-capacity test measures how long an auto battery can supply power if the charging system fails or if you leave your headlights or accessories on. The lowest-scoring models in our test should provide 1½ hours of power. Higher-scoring models can supply power well past 2 hours.

We also test for cold-cranking amps (CCA). That’s the measure of current that’s available at 0º F and is the primary indicator of cold-climate performance. CCA has long been a major selling point for batteries. But we believe that the industry’s claimed CCA doesn’t reflect real-world conditions because batteries are charged at a higher voltage than the 14.5 volts provided by most vehicles’ alternators. Our CCA test is based on more realistic charging voltages and amperage demands, and our results show each battery’s relative cranking power, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims.

I have had good luck with Die Hard Golds all my life, I have had them for up to 6 years, same with Interstate... I here the optima is a great battery if you really need it, otherwise it is over kill and you are paying to be cool...

Aw hell,  I could have used that 5 year warranty,  I had my marine optima blue top crap out after 3 or 4 years and then replaced it on my dime.  It was from lack of use and storing in a cold garage.

I wish I knew there was a 5 year warranty.

+1  Best auto/motorcycle batteries available.

I put dual Optima redtops in my K-3500 in February of 2004.  Not had a dead battery since.

Most brands (including AC Delco, Sears Diehard, Interstate, Motorcraft, Optima, Champion, Orbital and Energizer) are made by the same two companies - Exide (who recently purchased GNB) and Johnson Controls (who purchased Optima back in 2000 and AC Delco's battery division more recently) - in the same factories, on the same production lines - often on the same day.

(ETA: Extensive list of battery brands and who makes them here.)

A couple of exceptions are Deka (made by East Penn Mfg.) and Trojan (made by Trojan). Both brands are excellent, and are worth looking for locally.

The Optimas have seen a rash of reports of early failure recently - Apparently, their quality has suffered under Johnson Controls ownership.

Optimas are SMALLER in reserve capacity than normal construction batteries.  They are worked harder.  But they DO NOT LAST because they are a valve regulated, absorbed glass mat sealed lead acid battery.  

Most vehicles have voltage regulators set for flooded cell construction and will boil the electrolyte out of such a battery.

You MIGHT get the warranty life out of it.  But then it will take a dump.

Optima Yellow Top!

Ive run one for the past 7 years and its still going.

I've used the Everstarts from Wal-mart the last 7-8 years and they have been really good to me.

I get batteries from this real dumpy store, but they have 5 year warranties w/receipt no questions. i cant even say the name because they have no labels, not even a warning label!

Umm, I always NEED it...I'm not paying to be cool, I'm paying to get to work on time each day.

ETA: I became a beliver when I put a 10:1 402 small block in my Challenger and failed to ground the voltage regulator.  That car ran on the battery in the garage for 2 hrs. then went on a 80 mi. trip with headlights on for 45mins. before the lights started to dim.  Still got me back home.  Powering an electronic ignition.

Hmmm, I have used Optimas on winch equipped trucks since their introduction.  A recovery winch pulling near stall will make a prune out any other conventional battery and SEVERELY shorten it's life.  I formerly used Die Hard deep cycle batteries in this application and even those could not long withstand dragging a badly stuck truck out of mud or other bad stuck.

When the amp draw is enough to melt the battery connections and burn the insulation off the power cables, Optima is the only battery I have found to withstand the abuse.

My next truck however might have one of these batteries instead.  The performance stats are interesting indeed.  

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/odyssey