Stopped by AutoZone today to 'donate' my used oil and asked if they carry Interstate batteries as it may be time to get a new one before next winter season - the sales person told me that all of their batteries that they buy are from Interstate so they are all Interstate with their own label on there - DuraMax (or something like that) - is this really true?

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

It is true to the extent that almost every car battery made in the US is made by Johnson Controls.

You probably already know that anything that comes out of the mouth of a person who works at AutoZone must be BS if it's related to a vehicle.

This is no different.

Interstate is a marketing company. They do not make batteries. Apparently, quite a good one since you've clearly fallen for their overtures.

Where can you buy these batteries, then? I have yet to see one in a store around here...

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Autozone has a very good warranty on their batteries.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Nearly all car batteries are made by 3 manufacturers - Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls Industries. Delphi makes EverStart models sold in Walmart and ACDelco. Johnson Control Industries makes Duralast seen in Autozone stores, Diehard - sold in Sears, Kirkland - the Costco brand, Motorcraft - which Ford sells, some of the EverStarts, and Interstate. Exide makes Exide batteries, Champion, Napa and even a % of the EverStart batteries.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

If you are looking at a battery brand that is in the overlap catagory of mfg's, then just look at the labeling on the battery. They usually state the real mfg on them. My Wallyworld battery for the Passat did.

__________________
'05 E320 CDI
'20 GLE 450

The Mercedes labeled battery at the dealership is made by Johnson Controls, parent company of Interstate.

I'm not all that positive it matters who manufactured the battery. Buy from a place that has an friendly return policy and KEEP THE RECEIPT. Sears, Costco, and some of the big box stores will usually honor the warranty as long as you have the receipt. I prefer Interstate, have had good experience in the past.

__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.

Why not just call your local Interstate disty house ?

Mine almost always has 'blems' which are at least 1/2 price with full warranty.

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

here is even better advice.. make a copy of the receipt since all of them are printed on thermal paper which fades after a month!

Thanks for the tip!

I've had good use out of Champions (Exide) from Advance. Over the past 15 years, every one I've put in my or a relative's vehicle has given at least 6 years service before it gave a hint of going south. Comparable return policy to Sears, Autozone, etc.

When Chrysler was making the 05 and 06 diesel Jeep Libertys, they had Johnson Controls make an oddball-sized Optima Red Top to their specs - ie, CHEAP!! Quite a few Jeep CRD owners found out literally within months of buying their brand new vehicles (myself included) that these Mopar-speced Red Tops had an annoying habit of shorting out one or more cells. I replaced mine with a Champion Group 34/78 from Advance. 4 years later, it's still going strong with more than enough oomp to kick that diesel over.

__________________
Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club