Interstate Batteries
 

Do Interstate Batteries fit in the 8? I checked the sizes on their site (here) and they seem to be pretty tall at 8.75 inches. I'm looking at the MT-35, MTP-35 and MTP-24F and was wondering if the battery tie-down and cover will still fit? Anyone have one of these in their car? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

well the group 35 is the stock size i have...i got a grp 35 a couple months back everstart max and it fits just fine...had to adjust the hold down a little but it fit in and still fits with the battery cover and everything

Any one with 600 CCA or higher.

Hmmm... searched around the forum and found a couple of posts by Georgia8er... here and here.

According to him, he had to make a new battery tie-down and the battery cover didn't fit.

:confused:

cuz its not the right size. a lot of batteries will "fit" in there sure, but if size is wrong, of course your cover wont fit(and the tie down) Hell I know my AA Duracell will fit in the box nicely too, and I can close the cover with it, just that no matter what I do the tie down wont fit. :)

You need Group 35 battery with reverse Terminals.

^exactly...just look in the book and it tells u the exact battery code....

Group 35 batteries have the correct post layout.

Yes, I know I need a Group 35 battery, but if you check the link in my first post, the batteries Interstate recommends for the 8 are all 8.75 inches in height (MT-35, MTP-35, MT-24F, MTP-24F). Not sure if any of these are Group 35 cuz they don't mention it anywhere on their site. The only battery less than 8.75 inches is the MT-26R (7.81 inches), but is only 540CCA.

I have an MTP-24F 800 CCA, check out this link: http://www.interstatebatteries.com/c...terstate_f.asp

Mine bulges out on the sides, facing the coolant overflow tank and the alternator, but I'm still able to use the OEM hardware and cover though it doesn't lock correctly, it stays put.

If the battery is too big, it can cut the cooling air flow and shorten its life. There's a TSB on that. Worth looking up if you have any doubt about battery size.

Interesting that batteries of the same group can have their dimensions vary. My uninformed expectation is that the group sets the size. I'll have to remember that in the future.

Ken

An Interstate is what the dealer replaced my Panasonic with under warranty because of the hard start issue I was having in very cold weather (they replaced my starter motor under warranty, per TSB, also).

Car starts in a blip now, instead of with a whir-whir.

Interstate MTP 35 is what Mazda has provided as an uprated (640 CCA) battery for the hard starts. Most are relabeled as Mazda batteries. It almost fills the battery box, the lid clicks on properly, though. I got mine a year and a half ago. Much quicker starts, and hopefully some extra oomph if I flood the engine.

Not always.

Different group is here for a reason. and that reason is to separate them from different size, terminal position, and of course, the power.

why can't you just get a Group 35 battery?

When I had my 04 8 I replaced the weak OEM battery with the Interstate MTP 35 and it fitted and worked just fine.

That was for the wrong size battery, a 24F. The battery top does fit, but you have to take the wall off and use extended tie-downs to hold the battery. Will it last a shorter amount of time because of a "lack of cooling"? I don't know, but so far I've had it over a year with no problems and I could leave my radio running for days and still start.

The post layout in a battery not meant for the 8 is the Ford type, hence why I used a 24F.

I have an OEM Interstate that was installed as part of the '04-'05 starter and battery upgrade TSB, so obviously it fits (actually my '05, as a late March 2005 build, came from the factory with the new starter/battery). Interstate is a good brand, although I plan to go with an Optima Red Top at year's end on my '05.

Yes they do! You are probably thinking of the Group 75/35, which has the terminal layout reversed. If you use a 75/35 battery, you would need to extend your battery cables. A 75/35 is easy to spot as it also has the "side post" terminals in adddition to the regular battery posts.

Physical dimensions as well as post (or terminal) layout.

Thoughts about Firestone?
 

:wallbash:
To date my dealer has replaced my battery 5 times in the last 3 years. This last replacement is for a battery they just replaced 3 months ago. Apparently I now must pay full price for the replacement with no prorate because the battery is no longer under warranty (the warranty clock starts ticking from original battery not the replacements-make no sense to me...) I'm plenty ticked with my dealer, so plan to have them take their replacement battery out-they are charging me $225 for it-demand my old one put back in then take my car elsewhere.
was looking at;

Firestone Mega-Tron Plus
900 CC
$99
recommend for my 2004

does this battery fit (35 group)?
does it have reversed posts??

thoughts anyone???

also looking at (as suggested in posts);

Interstate
Die Hard

and have to agree=== Optima is overpriced

open for suggestions-and a new dealer!!!!!!
thanks

If it's a group 35, it will fit and have the correct post layout.

I dunno, I got the Optima on sale with a rebate. . . now I don't have to worry about my battery anymore. Life is good there, even when my car is prone to flooding when it sits for over a week.

In my experience, Optimas are the best. . . but I have read that interstates are very good also.

Remember, you get what you pay for.

I'm still on my OEM Interstate which was factory installed in March 2005.

Although earlier in this thread I was contemplating an Optima, I may just stick with Interstate when the time comes. You can't argue with real world [reliability] experience.

My Panasonic OEM battery died in December. I went with Interstate batteries. Paid like $100 I think. Good battery imo. Car starts up like a beast! ;)

And I get like 14.5v charged when the car is on, never had that much with my old battery.

i replaced my oem battery (2005) a week ago.

it cut start up time in half. sometimes in 1/5. haha. car starts up in a few seconds now. as opposed to 5-8.

With my Interstate and the BHR ignition system mine always starts up in a couple/few seconds. ;)

If you had a Panasonic battery you most likely also have the old starter. Unfortunately the free upgrade TSB has expired, but you still may want to look into upgrading. Mazmart usually has some on hand.