Just had 26,250 service. Battery at 297 amps--about half what it should be. Replaced under warranty but had to pay almos5t $60.00. Anyone else with that problem?

 

Yeah, I know what you mean, my crummy Panasonic battery crapped after one year, and all they would do is charge it up for free, and it always started for 2 and 1/2 more years, and 20,000miles. Then, it started slow with 12.07 volts and I had to buy a new Walmart battery for $80. ****, that $60. would've lasted me like half a day on a track!Bummer!

 

My original battery was replaced when the car was 2 years old and only had 5K miles. I did not have to pay anything for the replacement though.
That was around the time when they came out with the TSB about the weak starter and starting issues, so it's possible that's why it was free to get both of those replaced.

 

I have a 2004 that had the third Mazda battery put in as of 2008. Well I noticed the car woudl die after siitting for a few days. I recharged the battery and it passed the load test with a tester and the car would still die after a few days sitting. I also noticed that when I opened or locked the car the yellow lights would not blink but the doors locked. I thought perhaps a fuze or a bad door lock.

Finally last night I thought I was having a battery issue since this was my 3rd battery and the car has 22,900 on it. I had Sears put in a Platimum Die Hard for $218. Ouch. The machanic had difficulty finding the hood latch and told me he accidently pushed the trunk button. So I closed the trunk. After the new battery was in the lights blinked properly upon unlocking it with the electric signal. I thought a stronger battery made those lights work now. Then I began to think perhaps my truck was unlocked the whole time and how could I check this. So when I got home I unlocked the trunk lid and did not open it. Sure enough soon as I pressed the lock button the doors locked but not blinking lights. So I closed the lid and then the lights startred working again on lock and unlock. So all the time my issue was an unlocked trunk lid that was slowling draining the battery because of the small trunk light. So I know is a door is open you get the door light on the dash. However, for the trunk you do not get this warning. Bummer. An expensive lesson learned. Now I feel pretty low and stupid because the battery was ok after alll. Hard lesson to learn.

 

Least you got a good battery now! With that cash though, I think I would have invested in a Redtop Optima though. Thats what I just got (and i've always had optima's).

 

Yes that's how I figure too. You are correct about Opitma's. They are excellent for an RX or a car that you may leave sit for a couple of weeks and should fire up without any problems. The alarm system will drain a battery some. I just learned a hard lesson about our trunk lids.

 

It's a miracle that the stock 8 batteries last as well as they do. All that shipping, then sitting on lots is hard on batteries. That's why it's good to buy from anywhere you think has fast turnover.

New voltage is 12.6, but if they ever get below 12.4 they're gonna crater.