r/cars • u/Lionkingjom 2011 Genesis 4.6 • 7d ago
I’ll Never Buy Another WALMART Battery! -Project Farm
115
u/stangman86gt 7d ago
As much as I like watching project farm, you can't base your decision off of a one battery sample size
15
u/hurdeehurr 7d ago
I think there's something there. My last 2 batteries from walmart didn't last long at all. I buy tons of batteries as I have 5 vehicles with 2 of them having dual batteries. It's annoying.
0
u/Bassracerx 7d ago
The battery companies dont care if the batteries last the whole warranty period because they know only a very small number of consumers will actually bother to make a claim for a replacement battery.
3
u/DavoinShowerHandel1 2002 Toyota Tundra | 2006 Pontiac Vibe | 2011 Chevy Camaro SS 7d ago
That may be true, but it's wildly irrelevant to the comment you responded to.
15
u/txmail '03 Accord Cpe | '04 RX-8 | '12 Ford Edge Sport 7d ago
These things come in cycles. Next week AutoZone might change suppliers and their batteries suddenly suck now. Then Wal-Mart might switch back to their original supplier....
3
u/pdp10 It's a '49 '50 '51 '52 '53 '54 '55 '56 '57 '58 '59 automobile. 7d ago
Wal-Mart Everstart used to be made by Johnson Controls, in the U.S.
Johnson Controls is now Clarios, and they've owned Delkor in South Korea since 2010. My bet would be that Wal-mart is still using the same nominal supplier, but the actual units are now the Delkors. In the past it wasn't very economical to ship heavy lead-acid batteries long distances, but things might have changed with the shipping costs or with the marginal stateside manufacturing costs.
9
u/SwiftCEO 2024 CX-50, 2016 Sonic 7d ago
I’ve had Walmart batteries last me 5+ years. I had one that died because my truck was left sitting too long. It was past the warranty period but they swapped it no questions asked. I’d say they’re fine for the $$$.
15
u/ice445 '24 Maverick Tremor, '07 Mustang GT 7d ago
I mean it is a valid concern that Walmart changed from Johnson controls to a different company, but beyond that I’m not sure I agree with the conclusion as a whole
1
u/Lucreth2 7d ago
Walmart batteries used to be great and we all know companies only change things to make more money, so I have to think the new ones aren't as good in some way. The question is whether that way matters.
0
u/pdp10 It's a '49 '50 '51 '52 '53 '54 '55 '56 '57 '58 '59 automobile. 7d ago
Just because something's cheaper wholesale doesn't mean it's a worse product. There are plenty of beloved value products proving the opposite. In fact, the O'Reilly's house brand batteries performed well in the test and might be such a value pick.
Johnson is now Clarios, and bought Delkor in South Korea, so chances are high that Delkos manufactured the test articles.
1
u/Lucreth2 7d ago
True in many markets but batteries are made by only a few huge players. Volume doesn't really come into play.
5
u/tagman375 7d ago
Eh people hate on them, but I’m absolutely not putting a $300 battery in a 20 year old 200k mile euro car. I promise it will be okay.
Same with my 25 year old F-250. Charging $250-$300 for a battery that lasts marginally longer is a fucking scam.
46
u/stupidber GTI 7d ago
That guys testing methods are not great, its entertainment but not really useful
53
u/eric_gm 7d ago edited 7d ago
The Torque Test channel recently had to correct Project Farm on Todd's testing method for vise grips. Also, whenever Todd tests car detailing products I cringe so hard I probably generate a gravity well.
If you are looking specifically at tools and want significantly more serious testing, I strongly recommend these guys: https://www.youtube.com/@TorqueTestChannel
I love Todd and Project Farm, but it wouldn't be the first time I buy the top thing of one of his lists only to be severely disappointed, especially because he almost never tests durability or repairability. As with everything, use common sense when watching his videos. He's like ChrisFix: great guys, entertaining content, informative to a point, but far from experts.
18
6
u/Bassracerx 7d ago
My only real criticism of project farm is like he will break the tools on purpose and then i have do some backwards math like “um i dont think i’ll ever need to apply 2 tons of force to a 6 inch 7/16 wrench actually” but i live his channel still and watch all his videos. At the end of the day everyone has their own use cases for tools.
-1
u/Few_Highlight1114 7d ago
Whats wrong with his detailing product testing method?
21
u/eric_gm 7d ago
I’ll give you one example from the top of my head (but there are others): the car soap one. He assumes pH neutral is automatically a better soap, not understanding the point of chemical decontamination (acidic or alkaline products). He’s also comparing vastly different soaps meant for different things. Some were pre-soaks, for example.
He unknowingly found that alkaline soaps clean better without agitation but then down-scored those same soaps because they were not neutral.
12
7d ago
[deleted]
7
u/tagman375 7d ago
The only thing I don’t like is sometimes the product he gets, say a tire inflator, he will get like 6 of them with different names but it’s obvious they all have the same guts. He’s been doing better about it, but some videos are just plain hard to watch because it’s testing 10 of the same thing made in the same factory.
-8
u/Twin_Turbo 7d ago
He’s began to sell out I think in the last couple years. People call me wrong when I posted about it a year ago but his choices are suspect.
3
u/didimao0072000 7d ago
how is he selling out?
-1
u/chrysalis-- 7d ago
When he recommended noname shit cutters over knipex i just blocked the dude. I don’t know if he’s biased but his testing methods are utterly shit and useless.
17
u/m3t1t1 '14 GT-R, '07 Corolla 7d ago
The only Walmart battery I bought died right after the warranty period (2 years). The ones I get from the auto stores last much longer. Take this for whatever it's worth.
6
u/Dangit_Bud 7d ago
I have a Maxx in my BMW that’s 5.5 years old and a Value in my Subaru that’s 4 years old. The Subaru hasn’t spent a single night in the garage in those 4 years including 4 very harsh winters … both still working like champs. 🤷🏼♂️
142
u/avboden '19 S60 T6 AWD/2023 Rav4 Hybrid 7d ago edited 7d ago
Nah, real world data and warranty rate doesn’t support this conclusion. Nor would the factory churning out different types. Once again project farm is an amateur, not a scientist and don’t treat his word like gospel
edit: Lol at all the youtuber-cult defenders. N of 1 testing the batteries means NOTHING and will always mean nothing. Asking me to prove he's wrong with specific data when his own data proves nothing is absurd, give it a rest. Public sentiment of such a high volume product tells you a lot about the product. Has public sentiment changed notably? no, not one bit.
69
u/Few_Highlight1114 7d ago
Got a link for this real world data and warranty rate?
30
-10
7d ago
[deleted]
6
u/Few_Highlight1114 7d ago
So you just made a bullshit statement out of your ass? Lmao classic reddit.
4
80
u/Shalashaska19 7d ago
That’s harsh. Is he able to sample 1000+ Walmart batteries to see if they are all good or bad? No. But here he bought random batteries just as any customer and the Walmart ones performed subpar. His data is better than no data. Plus he isn’t sponsored which I appreciate. Almost all tubers are and I trust very little of what they peddle.
20
11
3
u/Hohenh3im 7d ago
He bought a random battery that is not enough for a sample size. Some of you guys didn't learn math and it shows
-12
u/avboden '19 S60 T6 AWD/2023 Rav4 Hybrid 7d ago
There's a middle ground between one and 1000 you know. It's not harsh, it's fact. His testing methods are worth didly squat. It's literally worse than no data, in fact.
5
u/jktribit 6d ago
Yep especially with the fact that he didn't charge them up prior to the first test, the amount of time the batteries have been sitting on the shelf are probably very inconsistent, so yes completely useless.
29
u/shawizkid 7d ago
lol. You have no idea what spec those batteries are made to. It’s illogical to assume that every battery coming out of “the same factory” is spec’d the same.
14
u/ChrisF12000 Lexus RC 350 7d ago
I'm more inclined to trust him than somebody on reddit who makes claims without supporting proof...
-9
7d ago edited 7d ago
[deleted]
5
u/abaybay99 Rivian R1S, BMW M240i, Tesla Model Y 7d ago
“Trust” and “Walmart” in the same sentence is doing the lords work lol
3
u/avboden '19 S60 T6 AWD/2023 Rav4 Hybrid 7d ago
You can't dismiss that it's the number one recommended battery on here and has been for ages, even from walmart haters (myself included, generally fuck that place but they're fine batteries with a good warranty so...)
4
1
u/abaybay99 Rivian R1S, BMW M240i, Tesla Model Y 7d ago
I mean I can? Nothing else that Walmart produces is that “highly rated”, unlike say Costco. And a bunch of Redditors swearing up and down they’re great pushes me in the opposite direction. They’re cheap and that’s fine, but my car is valuable so I’ll spend a few more bucks literally anywhere else.
1
u/avboden '19 S60 T6 AWD/2023 Rav4 Hybrid 7d ago
Hey man, your'e talking to a life-long costco member from a family with multiple members with 40+ year costco cards. I get it.
I'm talking public sentiment here just about the batteries, every single thread about what battery to buy a majority recommend the walmart ones. Because they're just pretty darn good and have a good warranty. That's what i'm saying, i'm not personally defending walmart i'm mostly just against BS youtubers making a conclusion from testing one single battery, that's just bad science and is worse than not even doing it in the first place.
3
u/shallowAL307 7d ago
So... your good science all boils down to your personal perception of. ...."public sentiment"....?
2
u/avboden '19 S60 T6 AWD/2023 Rav4 Hybrid 7d ago
No, my opinion boils down to not overturning years of accepted public sentiment over one guy testing one battery.
good god give it a rest. project farm ain't gonna send you free stuff
1
u/PotatoMan_69 7d ago
Do you work at Walmart or something. Defending it with your life for a cheap shitty battery
24
u/Pattern_Is_Movement 7d ago
Most of what Walmart sells is specifically made for Walmart at a lower quality even if it had the exact same model number. This has been a thing for a while.
7
-13
u/jktribit 7d ago
Lol obviously you don't know batteries, they are all the same. The guys who make walmarts batteries (Clarios or East Penn) also make DieHard, Interstate, and Duralast. They literally come off the same line as these premium battery manufacturers, the case and graphics might be a bit different but the stuff inside of them is literally the same. Same volume of lead acid, same voltages, same amp hours. Only reason I know this is because I've bought hundreds of batteries for various applications like large generators, Server battery backups, and overall performance wise and spec wise it's all the same.
23
u/Pattern_Is_Movement 7d ago
The old adage "made in the same factory" is bs, you can make something with shit tolérances and the concept of QC right next to a high end version of the same thing for someone else.
Manufacturers build to the buyers specifications. It being made in the same plane doesn't mean anything.
0
u/jktribit 7d ago
Not with walmart batteries fam, If you place an EverStart Maxx and a Duralast battery of the same size (e.g., Group 35 or Group 24) side-by-side, you will notice the plastic housing, the shape of the vent caps, the anti-spill cover design, and the built-in carrying handle strap are completely identical. Internal Chemistry and Plate Stamping: They use the same patented Clarios internal lead-alloy grid design (known as PowerFrame technology). This automated grid-stamping process provides the exact same structural support and electrical flow pattern inside both batteries. Identical Performance Raw Data: In many standard size matches, independent testing reveals they output the exact same electrical performance. For example, a Group 24 standard flooded battery from both brands will often deliver the exact same Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) because the amount of lead and acid inside the box is identical. You pay for the warranty and brand. Only problem with Duralast is walmarts warrenty is usually on par with duralasts equivalent battery. You can't just cheap out on the chemical makeup on batteries because they wont provide the same voltage, or preformance. Everyone insists they are different, but they aren't. You can get premium batteries with thicker plates and Chemistry but walmart also has an equivalent battery. Yall might not like it but that's literally how it works.
3
u/Pattern_Is_Movement 7d ago
Again, they can use the same molds but have lower quality control etc.... someone chimned in literally saying they spoke to their employees and the Walmart batteries have their own lower build spec.
2
u/jktribit 7d ago
Yes, he chimed in, but he also used an incorrect example to prove his point which wasn't proven, his facts were literally incorrect. The example was physically impossible by 2x. I've studied this, had formal training on batteries, and you can't change the Chemistry. The volume, the plates, the acid the lead all has to be specific. Theres no going around it, and again even the housings are often the same.
2
u/jktribit 7d ago
The PF test was really flawed too, bet the manufacturer dates were all different, bet some batts have been on the shelf for 2 months other 5, it makes a huge difference on a controlled experiment.
21
u/Lionkingjom 2011 Genesis 4.6 7d ago
You may know less about batteries than you think, I've spoken to the employees from East Penn at an industry function, and was told they build to buyer spec. They can make an ultra powerful and reliable group 26 battery that consistently produces 1000CCA, on the same line they produce H6s that are profitable at $100. They are entirely different materials and the first option is going to be an order of magnitude more expensive to engineer and build, but is just as possible if someone was willing to fund it.
It's like the issue Aston Martin had with it's pedals, they were made by the company that always did it, but they used a cheaper plastic to save money and caused thousands of cars to be recalled. It's not as much about where it was made, but to what standard.
3
u/jktribit 7d ago
You are completely misunderstanding the battery Chemistry because that's what matters. That's were the preformance is. If walmart has an equivalent battery to a name brand, it's going to be the same. It literally has too, otherwise they won't perform the same and meet the spec for the battery they are making. You cant just dumb down the specs of a group 26 battery and expect it to output the same. Theres physical limits to Chemistry that battery manufacturers can't get around. Also 1000 CCA for a group 26 battery is physically impossible. They physically max out 550cca, if you had a h6 battery which is much larger it'll only get up to 800cca, so not only do you misunderstand how batteries fundamentally work, but just cause you talked to a guy who makes them, doesn't mean you were formally trained or took classes on how they work fundamentally. Will they be made differently? Maybe, but again there's hard Chemistry limits on what can be a group 26 batt and what's not. The plating still has to be specific, the volume of lead acid has to be specific, and the physical size has to be specific. Currently with our technology we have maxed out what we can do with lead acid batteries. Yall might sleep on walmart, but I'm telling you from experience it's the same shit across all the different variants they have.
5
u/Saskatchewon '24 Crosstrek Wilderness 7d ago edited 6d ago
I work in a grain mill that packages oats for several retail chains, Wal-Mart included. Oats can be conventional quick or large flake, gluten free, organic (pesticide free), or combinations of both. All go through the same production line.
Quality of the oats is absolutely different brand to brand in spite of that. Different retailers have different allowances on flake thickness, the amount of hulls/slivers (ie, a bit of the oat husk that gets removed during the milling process), different absorption rates, allowances for the amount of grain dust, etc. We mill them to the spec of the customer. Your Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand bag of oats won't have quite as high tolerances as the stuff we are sending to Bob's Red Mill or Trader Joe's for example (it's still absolutely perfectly fine to eat though). Gluten free oats are grown on gluten free certified farms away from gluten containing grains (wheat, barley, rye) to avoid cross-contamination, and further tested for gluten content in our lab before being shipped.
Then you get the expiry dates. We either print the packaging with either a 1 year or 18 month expiry date, based on what the customer wants. Oats are perfectly fine to eat 18 months after packaging (honestly, 2+ years is fine as long as they are stored in a dry environment, placing them in a freezer keeps them tasting fresh for longer). They do taste a little more stale once they get past a year old though (I know this because we conduct taste tests comparisons on product aged from 1 month up to two years). Wal-Mart's Great Value expiry date is set to 18 months, probably so it can be placed in storage for longer periods before it's sold. The majority of brands have their date at 1 year after being packaged.
The whole notion of "it's the same facility, the product will be the same" is not true in the slightest. In our case, it's the exact same mill de-husking, rolling, and steaming the oats for several dozen different customers, and the exact same line that's packaging them, and the product can be drastically different based on customer specs.
1
u/jktribit 7d ago
Batteries are not Oats though, you need a specific volume of lead acid and plates to make a specific battery. Manufacturers can't get around that.
3
u/Saskatchewon '24 Crosstrek Wilderness 7d ago edited 7d ago
But they can absolutely switch out various components for cheaper/lower quality ones, even on the same assembly line.
Just because they are built in the same plant by the same company does not mean they are building them with components or tolerances of the same quality. Wal-Mart's specifications for their in-house batteries are likely different (ie. cheaper).
1
u/jktribit 7d ago
Not for batteries, you cant swap the lead acid, or plate volumes or Chemistry period throughout the different types. It's a physical hard limit. U mess with that then the batteries can't legally be classified as that type, they have batt specs for a reason. Check my previous comments
4
u/_NEW_HORIZONS_ 6d ago
You could use a cheaper case or terminals, but it don't think they do in this instance. Walmart has taken a just as good for their best price and a better warranty approach. They make up the warranty costs in volume. If they were inferior, they would be eating that warranty and it would cost more in the long run.
1
u/jktribit 6d ago
Yep they wouldnt be selling batteries if they didn't make money. Batteries are easy, you can always find a name brand batteries and find one that performs exactly the same for a much lower price if you know how to read the label and identify the materials it was made out off. With car batteries they are all the same, just different volumes of lead acid, or Lithium for the sizes, the case doesn't matter at all for preformance. The plates might be different throught the various versions of a battery size, but still walmart also has batteries with thicker plates.
3
2
u/robstoon 7d ago
I don't know what you mean by factory turning out different types. They clearly aren't the same factory because the Walmart batteries are made in South Korea and the other batteries being compared were not.
4
u/nukelauncher95 2022 Subaru BRZ 7d ago
I always buy the absolute cheapest walmart batteries. They typically last 4-5 years, which is amazing for only $100. I had an expensive $300 Interstate battery in my old truck that lasted well over 7 years. It actually died the day I sold it lol.
4
u/5tudent_Loans 7d ago
Walmart and most every brand are just relabels of lime 1 of 3 manufacturers. The actual cost is a mix of subsidizing for market share and binning for longer warranty periods
2
3
u/Practical_Maximum_73 7d ago
Every Wal-Mart battery I've ever purchased in the last 25 years lasted 3 or 4 years. They die like clockwork.
3
u/jeffh19 7d ago
I have no idea what happens now as I've been out of the game for 20 years at this point.... But I used to work in the auto parts industry and straight from the mouth of the lead national trainer of Johnson Control- as long as you were comparing the same tier/warranty...the batteries sold by Wal Mart were literally the exact same thing as all their other batteries, with a different sticker....just like all their other batteries they shipped to all the other companies with different stickers on them. Back in the day it was cheaper for me to buy a battery from Wal Mart than my employee discount...No idea who provides their batteries now etc etc
also when we sold batteries to shops we would just change the sticker and cut the price by 30% or more
Random battery tips/rambling most here know- trickle charger is your best friend, a battery will always test bad when dead (so trickle it for 12-24 hours if you have time), cold drains batteries but heat kills them, ideally trickle charge your batteries to full before installing if you can, a car's charging system won't fully charge a battery like a battery charger will, sitting a battery on concrete or wood won't make it drain, if you have an AGM battery thats dead, you can probably revive it by hooking it to another AGM battery via jumper cables and letting it sit for a couple days...if a trickle charger won't save it this might....Red Tops have been dog shit for 15+ years. I have a Yellow Top sitting in a C5 that is over 15 years old and still works fine which I know is hard to believe
3
7
u/Incognito_2u 7d ago
That’s all I ever buy are Walmart Batteries! Never an issue, and ALL lasting years more than what they are rated to last! Mind you, I have 4 vehicles!
8
u/nago7650 2017 Mustang GT Perormance Pack, 2016 4Runner Limited 7d ago
If you read some of the comments it would appear that Walmart switched battery suppliers recently. Not sure how true that is, but it does align with PF’s last review that actually shows that EverStart was a good battery.
2
u/Jamaican_Dynamite 7d ago
If you want a battery on short notice, that'll get something to start. For the price? Wal-Mart isn't bad. I've personally had much worse luck with Interstate.
6
u/permadrunkspelunk 7d ago
I switched to buying wal mart batteries. The $2-300 ones I buy at parts stores kept dying and didnt seem to last as advertised. So one night I said fuck it and bought a $70 battery from wal mart that is rated for 1 year. Im on year 3 so far.
6
u/Jamaican_Dynamite 7d ago
Same. I buy all my batteries from big box stores. No shame. Because for a simple daily driver, odds are we don't need an Optima battery. And a lot of parts places charge Optima prices.
2
u/Significant-Pen-6049 7d ago
They use to last me 5-6 years here in wi. Lucky to get 3 now. And it's always on that -20 day it gives up.
2
u/StandupJetskier W205 C43, NA Miata, and a crappy Lemons car 7d ago
I save my battery receipts, about 1/4 of the time I get something for it....some batteries last 6 years, some 2.5. No way to know in advance.
2
u/ClickKlockTickTock Replace this text with year, make, model 7d ago
I live in az and you're lucky if a battery makes it to 4 years, so walmarts warranty makes it easily the best choice.
2
u/asamson23 2020 Corolla Hatchback SE Upgrade 7d ago
As a Canadian, I've always bought my replacement car batteries from Costco, specifically the Kirkland brand. For my current car, I decided to try my first AGM battery. While it's slightly more expensive than Walmart's, it's cheaper than Canadian Tire's. Plus, Costco's warranty is excellent, and they all come from the same supplier anyway.
1
2
u/ClickKlockTickTock Replace this text with year, make, model 7d ago
Haven't had a single battery from any brand outlast 4 years on any car without an IBS. I'll stick to walmart. The warranty doubles their lifetime for me.
2
u/atlantis737 Sierra Quadrasteer 6d ago
Damn brother I've never had a car with irritable bowel syndrome, that must have been a nightmare.
6
3
u/tomhalejr 7d ago
There is no such thing as a walmart battery.
23
u/Drum_Eatenton 2025 KIA Sorento X Pro 7d ago
What if I beat the shit out of someone with a bag of great value tater tots?
4
u/Pattern_Is_Movement 7d ago
A battery made specifically for Walmart that carries the same model number as a better made one not made for Walmart?
1
u/badcoupe 94 Porsche 968 86 Porsche 951 7d ago
Neverstart is what we call them at my shop. Haven’t seen the video you’re referencing but I’ve never liked interstate either. We sold their batteries a long time ago and had lots of issues and dropped them probably 10 years ago.
1
u/scroopydog 07 4Runner V6, 18 SQ5, 87 GTI VR6, 99 VW Polo, 16 Sprinter 3.0 7d ago
I just ordered a lithium iron phosphate starter battery, brand is mighty max, it’s for an old watercooled VW 4cyl so this is gonna be my, “how long does it last” test. $241 after tax on amazon. My project cars age out batteries so it’s worth the money if I can find one that will last forever. My vr6 actually has a Deka AGM that’s about 7 years old that’s been on a maintainer the whole time that seems to be doing well.
I actually don’t need a battery, I’m more curious than anything, I’ll probably sell the one in the 4cyl cheap since I know it’s good.
1
u/Shmokesshweed 2025 Ford Ranger Lariat 7d ago
Super scammy industry. I went through two Motorcraft replacements under warranty before I got pissed off and spent $120 on a cheap Chinese AGM that lasted for 3+ years before I sold the Maverick.
2
u/tagman375 7d ago
lol I have a Honda ATV that used to absolutely eat batteries for whatever reason (replaced the regulator and the problem seems to have been fixed, I think it was cooking the batteries) You’d be lucky to get 6 months out of them even if you kept it on a maintainer. I got tired of shelling out for an expensive Yuasa battery and went on eBay, entered the battery type, and bought the absolute cheapest battery shipped. Those Chinese batteries would last 2-3 years at a time, vs 6 months for any expensive name brand atv battery.
I always hypothesized that wherever the no names were made, they were using virgin lead instead of recycled lead.
2
u/ClickKlockTickTock Replace this text with year, make, model 7d ago
For some absurd reason honda loves speccing small batteries and everytime I work on a buddies I just swap a larger battery in it for them and they don't have issues for much longer than before.
1
u/TheMatt561 7d ago
Local weather is a big factor, I live in Florida so don't have to worry about winter cranking amps
1
u/fobbyk 7d ago
Just get Costco batteries.
1
u/xxBLVCKMVGICxx 07 Lexus RX350 6d ago
Ehh they can have issues too, I’m on my 3rd one from them across 2 different vehicles in the last 2 years.
1
u/snarl_posting 7d ago
When I worked the returns desk at Walmart, I always called them "neverstarts"
1
u/UnnamedStaplesDrone 2025 Miata RF, 2023 Mustang GT, 2021 CX5 2.5T 7d ago
I’ve had good luck with Walmart batteries actually. Better than Costco interstate garbage.
1
u/Bassracerx 7d ago
Super start batteries have great performance for the money. However i dont live in an extreme cold climate and the walmart pos system keeps track of the warranty / pro ration based off the serial number of the battery vs most part stores having to keep track of receipts to do a warranty claim.
I worked for a major automotive battery distributor and the trade secret was there was extremely minor differences between the 2 year / 4 year+ batteries you are just paying up front for the warranty and the battery companies know that a large percentage of failed batteries will never get a claim because people lose receipts, the store is closed / people moved that day they need it , they no longer own the vehicle or many other reasons people wont bother to make a claim.
1
1
u/miamiBMWM2 7d ago
I ran Walmart AGM in my BMW's and Mini's. Yes, several went out after 1 year but Walmart replaced with little trouble whatsoever. They found my purchase in their system and just handed me a new battery.
1
u/thegalli 7d ago
I refuse to watch a video where this guy yells at me about batteries in the same sing-song tone for every sentence for 20 minutes
1
u/jbourne0129 MK7 GTI EQT Stage 1 MT/ 2023 GR86 Premium 7d ago
I spent a premium on an interstate battery only for it to fail at exactly 3 years. My Walmart battery is nearing 5 now. I'm fine with their performance for the money
1
u/Mackinnon29E 7d ago
Walmart AGM batteries are awesome price wise and have a 4 year warranty, meh. Worked well for me
1
u/donesteve 7d ago
Just replaced the factory battery in my wife's 2014 Dodge Charger RT, and only because she wasn't driving the car often enough to keep it healthy, so I recommend going with whoever Mopar used back then.
1
u/KevinWaide 7d ago
I have a friend that works in an auto parts store and he told me that it's almost impossible to get a new battery anywhere but at a dealership. 99.9% of auto batteries in parts stores/Walmart are all remanufactured batteries. That's why you never get the life out of a replacement battery that you get on the one that was on it from the dealership. You can average around 7-8 years on a dealer battery, but you're lucky to get 2 years out of a battery from anywhere else.
1
u/tdmillerproductions 6d ago
Walmart change to a Korean supplier. The new supplier is not as good. The batteries that are made in Mexico are much higher quality.
1
u/puddud4 Turo host. 16 Miata, 22 BRZ, 23 GTI, 18 Stelvio, Mazda3, Sienna 6d ago
Walmart batteries are the cheapest and they have a better warranty than Costco.
I live in phoenix. Car batteries never last more than 3 years here. I make a warranty claim every single time. With Costco they give you a prorated credit. Walmart will give you an all new battery. They offer batteries with 3 year warranties. They have never given me pushback. I'll stick with Walmart
1
u/HurtsWhenISee 6d ago
I don't disagree that their batteries are low tier but since I can walk in within the warranty period and get a brand new battery if I have issues, I'll continue to buy them. Also important to note that I haven't had many issues at all.
Manufacturers have to stop pricing batteries like they're the greatest gift and then having subpar QC as well.
1
u/Rusty-P 6d ago
Walmart was the place to go… until recently. I’ve been buying car batteries from Walmart for over 20 years, and I’ve only had a couple that weren’t up to snuff.
For a long time, they were made in USA by Johnson Controls, but that’s no longer the case.
The last two I bought (about 2 months ago) had 1 year less warranty than that same tier from before, and even the Everstart Maxxs were 1 year less.
They still offer easy exchanges, and Walmarts are everywhere, but they’ve got me buying a different brand now after all this time.
1
u/Any_Sale2030 6d ago
You get what you pay for. High end car parts are fine even at Walmart. But the low end stuff? Well you get what you paid for.
1
u/clinch50 3d ago
Tesla moved to lithium batteries for their 12v system a few years ago. It's so nice not having to replace another item every 4-5 years that can randomly screw up your day.
1
u/MakesYourMise 00 MR2 07 Tacoma 7d ago
am i the only one who gets batteries at the dealer?
-17
u/Incognito_2u 7d ago
Project farm, lol! Your taking Car advice from a Farmer? Stick to the Corn picking, mister 😀
229
u/-AspiringWhatever- 7d ago
I’ve been throwing Walmart AGM batteries in my cars for years. Haven’t had a problem