New battery helped my MPG

[BobSassafrass]

I found out a few months ago my battery was dead. It still started the car just fine but if I left anything on for more than 10 minutes without the car running I would need a jump.

So after my credit card came in :tehehyper: I got a new battery from walmart. To my surprise my mpg increased from 26-28. Not great but every little bit counts. Just thought I would give everyone else the heads up to get their battery checked, it can affect more than you think.

[Chad]

I found out a few months ago my battery was dead. It still started the car just fine but if I left anything on for more than 10 minutes without the car running I would need a jump.

So after my credit card came in :tehehyper: I got a new battery from walmart. To my surprise my mpg increased from 26-28. Not great but every little bit counts. Just thought I would give everyone else the heads up to get their battery checked, it can affect more than you think.

Remember that when you remove the battery it also resets the ECU and it has to re-learn. That could be the reason mang :mwink:

[jtyler05si]

lol....did you get a lighter battery...by maybe 200 lbs?

[BobSassafrass]

Nope I've reset the ecu multiple times, and disconnected the battery too definitely nothing with the ECU. I thought it was pretty crazy that it helped my mpg also so thats why I figured it was worth letting others know.

[parkjehhyun]

ehhhh, to be honest, i think your 2 mpg gain could have been the result of a variety of factors. from daily driving conditions to unordinary tailgating or what not, i think you should test this for a week or so and update us. thanks for this thread though, very interesting.

[Passenger]

lol McCain's energy plan to conflict Obama's tire inflation. " Get a walmart battery, raise ur mpg! "

[BobSassafrass]

Actually I waited 3 weeks before posting. Before I would get 26-27 on every single tank. After the battery I have gotten 28.3, 28.6, and 28.1.

I also used the same gas for the past 3 months, drive 70 with cruise control on the highway, and shift at 3100.

[WhiteComet]

like the earlier poster said....it is probably the ecu thing

[Rayme]

A dead battery can put alot of strain on an alternator = needs more power to turn, like AC...it's not totally far fetched..

[devinblue]

A dead battery can put alot of strain on an alternator = needs more power to turn, like AC...it's not totally far fetched..

Makes sense...:mbiggrin:

[drjd888]

A little off-topic here, but how long are the stock batteries supposed to last?

[devinblue]

A little off-topic here, but how long are the stock batteries supposed to last?

usaually a couple of years, depending on the condition and brand of battery. I always just by an optima, never have to worry!!!

[Chad]

A little off-topic here, but how long are the stock batteries supposed to last?

A week to 10 days :tehehyper:

[danielakatoxic]

usaually a couple of years, depending on the condition and brand of battery. I always just by an optima, never have to worry!!!

hell yea. thats what i did.

[!@#$%]

my stock battery lasted 4 years to the day.

[BobSassafrass]

like the earlier poster said....it is probably the ecu thing
Like I said earlier I have reset the ecu multiple times. Anytime I have installed or uninstalled a part I reset the ecu just to make sure I get all the ebenfits I can.


A dead battery can put alot of strain on an alternator = needs more power to turn, like AC...it's not totally far fetched..
This is exactly what I was thinking, since the battery wouldn't hold a full charge the alternator is having to due extra duty than it did before. And since it is summer now and I'm using the a/c 10x as much as the winter it's much easier to see.


my stock battery lasted 4 years to the day.
Mine was most likely dead when I bought the car last year and it's an 02 so 4 years sounds about right.

[trickkykidd.02]

which model OPTIMA di you guys buy..? I thought I remeber something about not seeing one listed for our model?

red or yellow.? does it even matter.

I bought lightweight battery for stock replacement and I think it is starting to crap out.

c...

[lleron]

I have a yellowtop that is made for our cars (I forget the number). The guy at the shop told me that they do not make a red top that is the stock size, although I'm sure you could get creative.

[devinblue]

I have a yellow top in both my explorer and truck back home. Gonna put one in the EP real soon!

[AzNCrAzYcOoLeR]

my stock battery lasted 4 years to the day.

mine lasted 6....

I switched mine, no difference for me...

[illusionsoflife]

mine lasted 6....

I switched mine, no difference for me...

mine lasted 6 as well. went to disnyland for 4 days. took the girls focus up there. came back. tried to start and no go.

[si4life]

Newb question, is there a way to check to see how much life is left in your car battery? i have been running the oem battery since i had the car 4 yrs and 2 months.

[benkieboy]

im not sure if there's a way to see the battery's life. i think once it's dead, it's dead.

[talonXracer]

The better mileage is from the alternator not having to work so hard.

[benkieboy]

i never knew that could make a big difference. at least now i know

[BobSassafrass]

I wouldn't say big difference but it was a difference. And you can use the little clear window to atleast see fi the battery is dead or not. Most auto parts stores will test a bettery for free though along with the alternator.