dblam65

How often do you replace your battery on 997.1 S?

​​​​​​Thanks.

Steve 911

When it needs it?

Fahrer

About once every 4 years.

Mike Murphy

Depends on how much use the battery got (do you keep your lights and stuff on for awhile when the engine isn’t running), and is it stored properly (do you drive the car at least weekly and/or use a battery maintainer).

Used cars sitting around at dealer or auction lots often take a toll.

New batteries sitting on shelves for a long time take a toll.

I have seen batteries last only a couple of years with car audio abuse, but our 2013 battery in our 2014 Q5 is original.

I only would buy an Interstate-quality battery from a store like Costco that has a born-on date of 90 days or less.

If you want the best battery, I’ve heard Antigravity is it.

KNS

Every car will be different with usage, environment, length of trips, etc.

Edit: Mike beat me to it.

roadie13

When it's time to replace it make sure you get a modern AGM battery, they last longer and are more resilient to weather and abuse.

Petza914

I'm at 7 years on 1 Optima that's in my 997 and 6 years on the other 997 one. Both stay on Battery Tenders when not in use.

The one I changed in my 914 recently was 12 years old. The one I changed in my DD gmc sierra that never gets separately charged was 7 years old. The one in my 928 is 5 years old.

Mike Murphy

What can help ease the worry and pain of having to replace a battery for fear of getting stranded are:

1.) Roadside service has gotten better and cheaper over the years. Even tow trucks are cheaper if local

2.) Portable lithium jump starter batteries small enough to store in your glove box. These double as phone chargers in an emergency.

VT Blue

@Mike Murphy said it all. There are so many variables...

If I am not using a tender and have a "normal" lead acid battery, I replace it before its guarantee is over. For example, if it's a 4-year battery, I'll replace it at ~44 months. Getting stranded or unable to leave when you need to is no fun.

AGMs and Lithium batteries are different, as is the regular use of a tender. I have an Antigravity lithium and use a tender...belts and braces.

Thx!

Bob

jamesinger

I used to kill batteries yearly when I lived in the bay area because I rarely drove. This was before the internet was a source of more than dial up pr0n, and no one told me about battery tenders (if they existed in the mid 90s). When I lived up there, my car was only for leisure, so it would go weeks without getting driven. I killed a battery at one point, replaced it, drove to San Diego and back for the holidays, and then killed another battery before the next time I drove it. Granted, I was a 20 year old moron but it was frustrating to me at the time. Having a 911 is similar but now I have the Ctek tender. I do not really think much about it but when I am not driving 2-4 times a week to work, I just put it in the cigarette lighter while it sits in the garage. However, at this point it has sat for up to 4 months but usually around a month between drives. Also, the battery is a mystery. It came with the car. It might be original 2006. IDK. In any case, I got my car 2/2018 and I just got it's health checked last week. It is holding solid at 12v, and the super aggressive upsell shop it was at did not recommend a battery, so...

That being said, I really liked the Optima batteries I have used as replacements in previous cars like my civic and 2 EVOs. If mine goes, I would consider Anti-Gravity but probably just get Optima because I have had good experiences with those.

The main point is, tenders have changed the game for me as to how long batteries sit because my goal is always to use my car as a toy, and my toys (like bikes and skateboards) as transportation.

mike cap

My 993 is 7 years on a Diehard Gold. Had
it load tested last year and CCA tested as new.

No mystery here - on a maintainer when parked and the cells are topped off annually with distilled water.

I do the same with the 997. The Interstate battery cell covers are removable with a little effort and you can top off the cells as well. I waited two years to do this thinking the battery cell covers wouldn’t come off. The electrolyte was gassed off to the top of the lead plates. No wonder the batteries are junk after three or four years.

ManoTexas

You have too many P’s to keep battery in good shape. You should goodwill me one of you 911’s or the 914 to get them driven on regular basis.

Kevinchipmaster

Pulled the trigger and got an Antigravity battery for my 2008 997.1. I love it!! Cranks were always weak with a standard battery. It cranks over fast and sweet now. Love the reserve charge to start you up when battery is dead. Cool app as well to monitor the battery. $1000 all in but well worth it.

This hobby is expensive by the way!

lexhair

I can't seem to wrap my head around dropping $1k for an Antigravity battery.

Petza914

Me neither. I've gotten 7-12 years from each of my Optima maintenance free AGM batteries for around $300. Unless the Anti-gravity battery is going to be guaranteed to last 25-40 years and be the last battery I'd have to buy for these cars (I'm 51), I don't see the cost/benefit, as I'm not particularly concerned about weight savings and the hi-torque starters in the old cars turn the motors super fast. I also keep my cars on Tenders most of the time and can't see having to use the reserve capacity feature more than maybe twice in 10 years or less.

Doesn't work for my use case.