AGM battery required?

[rick619]

My truck wouldn't start yesterday afternoon. I drove it to work Friday, but didn't drive it Saturday. It is still under warranty for about 10 more months and the battery was replaced just over a year ago. AAA said they showed an AGM battery is required and mine is an acid battery. So just wondering if AGM is required, or just suggested.

Definitely annoyed with my truck at this point. I have 16K miles on it and this is it's 6th trip for service. I know a battery is pretty simple, but still inconvenient.

 

[grimreefer]

My OEM battery was not AGM so I swapped in an H7 AGM when it crapped out after four and a half years. AGM batteries are at least HIGHLY recommended with the electric loads these rigs run, especially if you have etorque with it's high demand cycling.

 

[rick619]

My OEM battery was not AGM so I swapped in an H7 AGM when it crapped out after four and a half years. AGM batteries are at least HIGHLY recommended with the electric loads these rigs run, especially if you have etorque with it's high demand cycling.

Thanks for the reply. I'll see what the dealer says, but assume they will replace with an acid battery again. Next time will not bother bringing it to them, will just get an AGM. All of my other vehicles are on AGM batteries. I think AAA wanted $275 for one.

 

[jkm312]

Last November I got an H8 AGM with a 4 year warranty at Walmart for $180. $100 less than any place else and another years warranty. If it lets loose before it should and or I'm not home there are Walmarts most places or near by. I throw a charger on it every now and then, more so in the dead of winter. In my 19 I never got more than 3 years out of a lead acid battery because of the electric demand from these trucks.

 

[Andymax]

No, an AGM is not required however, many have found them to be a bit more durable. I would argue that electric demand is really not related to battery life, rather that the batteries themselves are built only to survive a warranty period, built with lower quality and less expensive material because we want cheap batteries.

 

[silver billet]

I'm wrapping up 7 years of ownership, truck has about 88k miles, still on OEM battery. Whatever the issues you guys are having it can't be related to electrical unless maybe you're mostly doing short trips or something.

 

[jkm312]

I'm wrapping up 7 years of ownership, truck has about 88k miles, still on OEM battery. Whatever the issues you guys are having it can't be related to electrical unless maybe you're mostly doing short trips or something.

Small town, short trips is the problem for me. I keep an eye on the battery as it ages out and change it before I get stuck and then have to change it regardless. The other thing I do is keep the battery purchase receipt in with the state registration slip in the truck.

Congrats on 7 years.

 

[rick619]

I do have a short commute. About 25 miles round trip per day. So that might have something to do with it.

Since I have about 10 months left of warranty, I'll assume it will last at least that long. When it fails again, I'll buy an AGM.

 

[jkm312]

I do have a short commute. About 25 miles round trip per day. So that might have something to do with it.

Since I have about 10 months left of warranty, I'll assume it will last at least that long. When it fails again, I'll buy an AGM.

I bought a battery meter several years ago from Amazon, a Foxwell 705. Wasn't very expensive as I recall. It gives you voltage, CCA charge, load test and how well your alternator is charging. It was worth it to me at the time as I had cars, trucks, motorcycle and a boat to look after. Just doesn't make sense to me to get your battery checked where they sell batteries, if it will start so you can get there.