View Single Post
  #12  
Old 01-28-2010, 11:23 PM
Brian Carlton Brian Carlton is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangofox007 View Post
Here is a quote from an Interstate Battery newsletter. It make it very clear that the warranty length is about perception, not reality.

"Ten years ago, Interstate Batteries was the first in the professional-installers battery market to offer an 18-month free-replacement warranty. The time has come once again for Interstate to beat our competition. Improving the warranty is sure to give you a competitive edge and to help you sell more batteries. And longer warranties give consumers a perception of longer battery life and quality.
Longer life/warranty is the most persuasive aspect in selling an automotive battery, far more persuasive than price. In a survey conducted by Spectrum Research, 800 battery purchasers were asked, “Why did you select the battery you bought?” The vast majority named “Warranty / Life Expectancy” as the primary factor."
The statement is with regard to perception.

The reality is unknown, however, you might conclude that a manufacturer certainly won't offer a battery with an 84 month warranty if more than 25% of them will come back in 60 months or less. It's a money losing proposition.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that "most" batteries will make it to the end of the warranty period if the vehicle is properly maintained. Naturally, if the battery is routinely discharged due to excessive cranking time, all bets are off.

Furthermore, one event of leaving the lights on overnight will permanently affect the longevity of the battery. I've foreshortened the life of a battery in the van by doing that exact scenario. Driving in daylight, in rain, with the lights on..........it's easy to do when parking it.

So, the actual durability of a battery is highly variable, but I've never returned a Duralast under the warranty yet.
Reply With Quote