Skirmich

^ The R34 from Optima is the one that has the side terminals too fits like a glove.. But you cant use the plastic cover on it

NBP04TL4ME

Three and a half year thread revival -

What is/was your issue with the DieHard and/or Sears automotive?

gary300

Had two Diehard Golds die within two years of purchase. My store (Moreno Valley, CA) the sales people including the manager do not care about customers whatsoever. Walked in, no other customers in sight and got ignored. When I asked if someone could help me a half hour later, the teenybopper clerk said "you will have to wait your turn" and resumed texting on her phone. Asked for manager and was told "he is busy in the back and can not come out".

Also, the last time I had a battery changed in store I request a power source be put on my electrical system before the battery was disconnected to save my radio code so I would not have to pull my antenna. Said they would but did not. When I put in a new Durlast battery myself today, I noticed that when Sears installed my old battery, the did not even bother to tighten the battery hold downs so the battery was rattling around for the last two years. The terminal screws were barely tightened. Very sloppy.

NBP04TL4ME

Thanks for your reply. I was just curious as I have always gone to DieHards when the OEMs fail, but admittedly I haven't had to replace one in quite some time. I just replaced the OEM in the Accord my daughter uses in January and am expecting more than a year out of it.
Can't and won't defend Sears regarding your experiences, but I have always replaced the batteries on my own. I will say both at the time of the purchase and return of the old one that there were no other customers either time, so not sure what if anything this says about their automotive business. Good luck with your new Optima.

gary300

I used DieHards for many years until I had bad luck with the last two I bought. Nowadays I also change the batteries myself. I know it's done right then.

NBP04TL4ME

Other than time and aggravation, the second battery didn't cost you anything right? And theoretically if you went with a third DieHard it wouldn't have costed you anything either right? These should have been covered 100% under warranty, no?

I know you already bought your Optima, but this is a good reference read - https://acurazine.com/forums/diy-faq...attery-890429/

gary300

I did not buy the Optima and wound up with a Duralast Platinum because of terminal placement. Did not care about warantee, aggrevation not worth it. Battery died when I stopped in Barstow, halfway between where I live and Las Vegas. That was fun. Took a long time for AAA to find me and it was like 115 degrees.

farmdevil

More than a year!?! I think you're setting your expectations too low.

I got about 6 years out of the Optima Red Top in my TL (in extremely cold temps). I got about the same out of my BMW OEM battery in the car before that (in extremely hot temps). Now I believe my current VW has the OEM battery and it's 6 years old. It seems to me that 6 years is about what I expect if I buy a good battery.