Battery Died Already

B

bobby2478

Member
Location
Minnesota
Car
2010 FX35
I have a 2010 FX35 and my factory battery died already. I purchased new in July 2010, and here we are 2 yrs and 4-5 months later, and my battery wouldn't hold a charge anymore. It died (which I initially thought was because I left the radio on when detailing my car, but now figure the battery must have been getting weak already), and I recharged it. That was roughly a month ago or so, and not even a month later it was dead again already so it had to be recharged.

Dealer replaced it, and since it was beyond 1 yr I had to pay a prorated portion of the replacement (over 24 months is 50% I believe).

Curious if anyone else has had a problem with their factory battery dying so soon? I'd expect a battery to die after 4-5 years, but not even 2.5 seems like too soon to have to replace my battery.

I pondered going with a Diehard for the replacement, but that would have cost me $125 plus $20 installation, so about $150 after tax. The Diehard gold has 3 yr free replacement and 100 month prorated replacement, with 640 cold cranking amps (important in MN during winter).

The stock Infiniti battery is 550 cold cranking amps, 2 yr free replacement and 70 month prorated replacement. Since I got the factory replacement prorated for $50 with free install and no tax (which is $100 cheaper), I decided to go with the Infiniti battery instead of going with the Diehard. Figured the marginally better cold cranking amps and marginally better warranty wasn't worth me paying $100 extra for.
 
My batteries seem to last me 2.5-3yrs on the FX. They say the weather takes a big tole on battery life. I see 29* in winter to 115* in summer where I live.

I keep purchasing the Duralast gold battery. Last time it failed, I had to put in $15 more for the proration. Not bad. I want to go to the optima red top, but not worth it to me yet.

'n on Xparent Red 2
 
i have a 2009 and the battery died on me after i had on the radio on for 45 min. already died 3x's on me it sucked:(. will definitely get a new battery for christmas.
 
My dealer changed the battery out when I bought my FX brand new in December 2010. He said the car had been on the lot a while (~2 months?), and the factory battery had drained to the point that he wanted to give me a new battery. I thought this was strange, but glady accepted of course. Always made me wonder if Infiniti uses weak batteries if they drain so easily just sitting on a dealer lot..
 
As with what others above chimed in. Apart from the accessories power hungry Infiniti, weather accelerates life expectancey of batteries. One old habit I had in the past is always leaving my light on auto mode. I have had battery issues in the past especially during very cold winter weathers in NY. I changed to new batteries, changed my habit now to always switch off the light. It somehow prolonged my battery life.

As a back up, I now carry a B&D 350amp emergency jump starter at all times. I like it since it is compact enough and low profile and does not dance around in my trunk.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/200862702671?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
 
there are many threads on this subject. many have replaced batteries, including myself more than once already.
 
Replaced my battery twice ...already also doesn't help that I have my headlights stay of for about 60 seconds after turning of the car and always run the radio with the car not running ...

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G 2
 
As I previously posted I had left my passenger door and rear hatch open for a little more than an hour (no radio, etc.) and it barely cranked (wouldn't start). I closed the doors and waited about 10 minutes and then it cranked enought to start. I asked the dealer service manager about this and he said yes, the FX has a lot of parasitic loads when it is off and adding the load from the interior lights for a long period could discharge the battery. I think the keyless entry system is constantly looking for your key fob waiting for the signal from it to allow you to open the door and start the car.
 
Both my 03 and 07 were battery eaters and weather was never a factor. Luckily, for the most part if you know your FX well, you have a pretty good idea when its about to go! Not sure if anyone else has had this issue but the batter charger we purchased for emergencies would not power up the FX when dead!!!
 
Wow, definitely seems like a common occurance. I think it is specific to the Infiniti brand battery having a relatively short life span. I've had Audi's that were 5 years old with HID headlights that stay on after you turn off ignition etc and those were still sporting the factory battery 5 years later with no problems. Even if your battery does get drained down, you can hook up a charger and recharge it back to a full charge and be good to go. The problem I had was I was recharging mine every few weeks, it just wouldn't hold a charge anymore even with little to no use, which is when it's time to get a new one. So from past experience, the Infiniti batter definitely seems to be of poorer quality and won't last as long as a more expensive more reliable brand, or the batteries that go into other brand vehicles.

The dealer also said he suspected they only offer 1 yr replacement warranty on factory battery is that they probably have a whole warehouse full of them when they are building cars, and some of those batteries could have been on the production line for awhile before going into a car. And it's awhile before the car gets to the lot and eventually into your hands.

I've always had good luck with Die Hard batteries, and as others point out I'm sure a lot of other aftermarket brands are good too. At the end of the day I just decided that considering I could get the Infiniti battery with 2 yr replacement for $50, vs the Die Hard with 3 yr replacement for about $150, I'd rather save the $100 and deal with the battery that won't last as long. Even if it only lasts as long as this one, I'd get a replacement for free or maybe $25 with the prorated charge after 2 yrs. Also the Die Hard had 640 cold cranking amps, while the Infiniti had 550, so again not much difference in that regard.
 
Cheap vented batteries are for the birds. I started using Optima batteries about 7 years ago and have literally never once had a single problem with them. Never. Once they are installed I never think or worry about the battery again. not only that but they are WAY more powerful then oem batteries. The one in my FX has been there over two years and is every bit as strong now as it was the day I installed it. Soooooo worth the extra $.
 
tchuck said:
Cheap vented batteries are for the birds. I started using Optima batteries about 7 years ago and have literally never once had a single problem with them. Never. Once they are installed I never think or worry about the battery again. not only that but they are WAY more powerful then oem batteries. The one in my FX has been there over two years and is every bit as strong now as it was the day I installed it. Soooooo worth the extra $.
Click to expand...

a couple days after I got my Die Hard Gold, I realized that the optima red was only a few bucks more....I would've gotten an Optima if I had known that at the time
 
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