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2015 - Walmart house batteries?

12K views 22 replies 17 participants last post by  bman400  
#1 ·
So I cruised thru the battery section at walmart. Their ever start house brand has changed packaging. Was told some small changes, same manufacturer. I get the cold cranking amps, the rest not so much. Are these still a decent value? I would also be fine walking into NAPA and getting one of those, but they are a bit more $.
 
#2 ·
I've been very happy with their Everstart Maxx batteries, and purchased most recently earlier in the year. For years they've been made by Johnson Controls, but Johnson sold them off and it's now known as Clarios.

In the past few years they were modifying the top deck, going to a better electrolyte recapture and return (the venting), so ditching the removeable caps in favor of a fixed strip. But still a flooded cell design.

I'll have to look and see what else is changing. Hopefully not much on the inside. They have always been a great value.
 
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#3 ·
We have used the WalMart EverStart Maxx batteries for over 20 years, including one of our cars when we lived in Alaska for 7 years. Even when it did not get above 0 degrees (F) for 2 weeks at a time, it never failed to start. Never had to return or replace one - they always outlived the cars.

And, if you ever have a problem, it seems like you are never far from a WM. Even in Death Valley, there's one an hour away in Pahrump.
 
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#5 ·
I've always wondered why in the USA, car batteries seem to last almost forever... Coming originally from Venezuela and then moving to Panamá, in both countries we tend to feel lucky if the battery lasts at least two years... most times it only lasts around a year.
 
#7 ·
Check Costco too if you're near one and maintain a membership with them. I was able to upgrade my wimpy group 35 to a 24f with almost double the power and was out the door for less than $100. Their batteries are branded interstate though I'm not sure who actually manufactures them they do have a 36 month replacement warranty as well. Can definitely tell my Foz is turning over faster and after accidentally leaving a dome light on last night and being able to start right up I was very pleased.
 
#16 ·
One thing came to mind: The tray on the Outback was at least 1-1.5 inches longer than it needed to be for a Group 25 battery, almost begging for an upgraded replacement (Group 24). But the tray under the Forester's Group 35 is an exact fit, so a 24F is going to overhang by at least an inch. Did anyone go shopping for a longer plastic tray, or just let it overhang?
 
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#20 ·
Interesting. Forester and crosstrek is made in Japan vs outback and accent is assembled in Indiana. Is that why? Just my guess.
If i have time need to replace my battery next time, I prob will go to junk yard and see if I can find a outback/legacy battery tray for $5 and see if that fit in forester…
 
#17 ·
Swapped out the battery with an ever start 35. Reminder to others that haven’t done this in a while. A terminal cleaner would be easier than sandpaper.😉
Don’t believe the Walmart auto services hours listed online. Mine was only open 12-6.

Do most people clip the handle off? I did.
 
#19 ·
Yes that's right. I ordered one at Walmart online, for that reason. The next day I got a message saying it was cancelled, with very little explanation except that it wasn't in stock. (Then why did the site show me they were IN STOCK and ready for pickup "today"?) I ordered one at another Walmart in town which supposedly had four in stock and ready for pickup. Hours later that was cancelled with the same cockamamie explanation. :mad: The clerk admitted there's a definite problem with ordering online.

Now here comes my question: The next day I walked into a Walmart directly and found several MAXX-35 batteries on the shelf -- no "N" at the end. Everything else looked right -- 640 CCA, 3 year warranty, and the sticker on the rack even said MAXX-35N. Is it possible they changed the sticker on the battery to not show the N, and more importantly, is it the same battery? I emailed EverStart with that question days ago but got no response yet. Note: Consumer Reports says N stands for North. I'm in Maryland, for what that's worth.
 
#21 ·
Maybe I should have posted this question in the field at the bottom of the page instead of clicking Reply under one comment. In case that's true:

Does anyone know if an EverStart MAXX-35 (without an N) is the same battery as EverStart MAXX - 35N?

I found the one without the N at Walmart, on a rack that's labeled with the N. The sticker on the battery still says 640 CCA, and 3 year free replacement, both of which match the N. Consumer Reports says N stands for North. I'm in Maryland, for what that's worth. But I've seen images of stickers that include the N, so it's not that it was just never there.
 
#22 ·
If you are still there. That is the one I bought and works fine after 12months -25F starts no problems. One problem is it is now $130. The link is an excellent chart.

EverStart Maxx Lead Acid Automotive Battery, Group Size 35N (12 Volt/640 CCA)

Qty 1
$88.76
 
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