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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Found some missing ponies

  • Thread starter Thread starter 98GT_RagTop
  • Start date Start date Apr 19, 2004
9

98GT_RagTop

New Member
Apr 19, 2002
37
0
0
Apr 19, 2004
#1
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #1
This is probably an obvious one, but I'll pass it along. After storing my car for the winter, it didn't feel like I remembered it last year... a little sluggish on the takeoff and just not right. I drove it for a while like that and couldn't figure out if I needed to do the plugs or got some bad gas or what. Anyhow, I went to Autozone for a battery test and found it had a bad cell. Dropped $49 for a new one and the car ran like a champ... same kind of difference as putting on pulleys.

Moral of the story: Don't overlook replacing an old or questionable battery as a worthwhile and cheap mod/upgrade. Made a world of difference.
 

Blev

New Member
Aug 17, 2003
1,295
1
0
So. Cal. V-Town
Apr 19, 2004
#2
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #2
98GT_RagTop said:
This is probably an obvious one, but I'll pass it along. After storing my car for the winter, it didn't feel like I remembered it last year... a little sluggish on the takeoff and just not right. I drove it for a while like that and couldn't figure out if I needed to do the plugs or got some bad gas or what. Anyhow, I went to Autozone for a battery test and found it had a bad cell. Dropped $49 for a new one and the car ran like a champ... same kind of difference as putting on pulleys.

Moral of the story: Don't overlook replacing an old or questionable battery as a worthwhile and cheap mod/upgrade. Made a world of difference.
Click to expand...

Hmmm....

I think I still have the stocker in my car. Perhaps a new battery is in order this weekend along with the PI Intake. Thanks.....
 

00VERT GT

New Member
Jun 30, 2003
376
0
0
SW Florida
Apr 19, 2004
#3
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #3
what's the usual life of a battery? talking stock battery.
 

XTONKAX

New Member
Dec 5, 2002
619
0
0
UT
Apr 19, 2004
#4
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #4
00VERT GT said:
what's the usual life of a battery? talking stock battery.
Click to expand...

Mine gave up the ghost at around 45,000 miles.
 
H

HIGDON

New Member
Nov 2, 2003
241
0
0
Ft. Hood, TX
Apr 19, 2004
#5
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #5
A properly fuctioning battery and charging system is essential in getting the most performance from the motor. Everything is run by electronics and they all require steady power supply(especially the ignition). Insuring that your grounds are all corrosion free and solidly mounted is a good idea as well. (the import crowd has ground wire kits and they were even doing dyno testing to see if it made a difference, as I can recall...it did) Battery life all depends on your location (heat, cold) number of times you start your car, if you drain the battery down, etc.. You should get at least 36-48+ months(extreme conditions) out of a factory battery(common is 60-72 months) It's all in maintenance(although the Ford batteries are "maintenance free")
 

GTvert01

New Member
Nov 24, 2003
636
0
0
West Plains, MO
Apr 19, 2004
#6
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #6
Would there be any advantage to buying a gel type battery instead,even if not running a bunch of amps?
 
H

HIGDON

New Member
Nov 2, 2003
241
0
0
Ft. Hood, TX
Apr 19, 2004
#7
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #7
Gel type ( like Optima) batteries are true maintenance free batteries and they seem to not be as tempermental when it comes to extreme conditions. Plus since they are completely sealed batteries you can mount them in the trunk without leakage or gas issues and the terminals don't seem to corrode like a typical battery which re exposed to the gasses and acide which can leak from the vents.
 
H

HIGDON

New Member
Nov 2, 2003
241
0
0
Ft. Hood, TX
Apr 19, 2004
#8
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #8
The factory battery in my 99 F150 is still alive and kicking, it has a disgusting 120K+ miles on it...
 

JonJon

Founding Member
Aug 16, 2002
4,801
1
68
back in Marylands
Apr 19, 2004
#9
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #9
00VERT GT said:
what's the usual life of a battery? talking stock battery.
Click to expand...
I'm at 53k... through 5 hard MA winters too
 

GTvert01

New Member
Nov 24, 2003
636
0
0
West Plains, MO
Apr 19, 2004
#10
  • Apr 19, 2004
  • #10
What is the life expectancy on the optima?
 

BlackBadGT

New Member
Apr 20, 2003
323
0
0
Pickerington, Ohio
Apr 20, 2004
#11
  • Apr 20, 2004
  • #11
Mine went last summer. I never had ANY problems with it, then all of a sudden at a gas station, it was DEAD. Starter didn't even click. If i had to guess I would say between 35-40K on it then.
 
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