hinchcliffe

Getting ready for winter and the car hasn't been started in a few weeks and no start. I haven't replaced the battery in the 6 years I've owned it, so I'm going to replace it. Read 12.5v and turns over but doesn't want to start. Anyway, what should I look for? I ran onto the interstate website and they don't list for an '87 but they have '86 and '90? Not sure what the difference would be. Are '87's special.....

blown 87

I have put interstates in 87's.

hinchcliffe

Any idea what part number?

blown 87

Not off the top of my head, but I bet i can figure it out tomorrow.

pcar928fan

Look for a battery that fits...

I have Duralast in most all my 928's... They seem fine.

justin-in-athens

Over 700 cold cranking amps, probably 875-900 cranking amps. This info will be located on the battery.

JoeTaylor

My car has an Optima battery (PO had it installed), starts great and never had a lick of trouble. I'm impressed.

The Optima battery is more expensive (2X) than the usual ones I get for the RL, but it seems to really last.

I usually get a 60 month battery for the RL, but they never last more than a couple of years. Next time my Acura needs a new battery, I am putting an Optima in there.

Its worth not getting stuck with a failing battery.

Joe

bronto

Make sure you get one of proper dimensions. I got one that was "normal" form factor and the ground cable will barely reach. It's so taught it's hard to get off the post.

cpayne

If the battery tests good, clean the ground strap at both ends or replace with one from advance. My car stopped wouldn't start at work. Tried jumping it off not luck. I took the battery for testing, it was good and only about 6 months old. I looked at the ground strap (The Avatar pic) looked fine to me but cleaned it on one end. No corrosion on the terminal end. Landseer came out and asked if I checked both ends. Of course I did not. When we looked cut it open at the terminal end ,it had some corrosion (did;t look bad to me). Swapped it out with one he had and bam fired right up.

Gary Knox

Curt,
You might also look into NAPA batteries. They are made by VARTA - OE on a lot of Porsches. I bought an 84 month warranty for about $110 a few months ago, and I think the 72 month one was about $95. It fits perfectly.

Gary Knox

SteveG

People seem to like the Duracell, I mean, Duralast. I've not had such good luck. I now have the group 48 Bosch ($109) at Pepboys. As to part #, any vendor should be able to look it up on their computer. I would go for 850 CCA and I would make sure the dimensions are exact, i.e., you are going to turn in the old one anyway, right? Put them side by side. The battery box is a tight fit and you do not want any contact on the top mounted terminals. Smaller won't work either b/c probably the spacer that secures it won't fit and it must be secured in the box.

philesk

The early cars like my 1982 use a Group 48, my 90GT uses a Group 49.
I've had several Group 48 Duralasts from Autozone. They never last past the 84 month warranty.
Thus, I always get a discount on the next one. Autozone has an advantage in that if you lose your receipt, they have a record in their computer.

My latest Group 49 was a 100 mos warranty from Costco. Price was lower than any other competitor.

Alan

What makes you so sure you need a new battery...?

What your wrote makes it sounds like the battery may be just OK?

If you do need one I'd worry about only 3 things:

1) Get a battery that fits properly - e.g. the right group size (coreect mounting points and dimensions)

2) Get a battery with a great prorated replacement warranty

3) Get a battery form a chain that is well represented everywhere (so your warranty is 'actually' usefiul)

To get 6 years life was probably just luck - don't assume you will be so lucky again...

Alan