New battery on civic 1992 ?!

Hi , I'm trying to determine if my mechanic is ripping me off !? He says my
car wont start if it's - 10 outside ?! It was -19 degres this morning ( with
the windshield ) and my car start with no problem ! I went and got it tested
at another shop ( Call me paranoid but as soon as they see a woman walk in
they see Dollar bills ! ) It was over 14 volts at all times with the car
running , I even pressed on the brakes to make sure reading was accurate as
well as turned on all my defrosts , radio , and heat . the 2 nd dealer said I
do not need a new battery . I'm confused now !? How can I know for sure if I
need a new battery !? Please help me ! =)

 

It's a good bet he is. Bottom line, do-it-yourself.

THE "I AIN'T GOT NO TEST STUFF" TEST

To determine if your charging system is working ok, while the engine
is running, pull a battery cable. If the engine continues to run, the
charging system is ok. If that test is good, the battery is next.
Easy test. Let it sit for two days. If the battery is dead after two
days, the battery is bad and needs to be replaced. That's it!

nb

 

What evidence does he claim to have to support this claim in any way?

Great. That's what it should be.

When the car is not running, a voltmeter should indicate 12 volts across the
battery terminals.

These are just basic checks. There are others.

How old is the battery, anyway? If you got 4.5 years or more out of it, then
you probably got your money's worth. If you're worried about being stranded
somewhere, and the battery is at least this old, I'd replace it.
Particularly if you did a few jumps on the car. Jumps also shorten the life
of batteries. (Or it's running a battery down until it has insufficient
energy to start the car that shortens its life.)

Start paying attention to how readily the car starts. If one is attentive,
one can detect just by the sounds whether the battery is near-death.

It's best not to wait until the battery dies completely, because a dying
battery may shorten the alternator's life.

If you have a manual transmission and want to know how to start the car
without the battery, for the short term, say so, and I or someone will give
the steps for doing a "push start."

 

I do not know whether your Honda came equipped with a Honda battery or
AC Delco battery. (My 91 Civic came from the Honda plant with an AC
Delco). In either case, if your charging system turns out to be o.k.,
look for a bubble window at the top of battery near the red terminal.
If it looks black when you look down, your battery probably needs to be
replaced. If is it green, then your battery is o.k. Also, check whether
the battery terminals are clean/tight. If you need a new battery, I
would go with an AC Delco, as these are cheaper, and last about 7
years.

 

Are you sure about that? I thought you would have to pay considerably
more to get a 7-year battery regardless of the make.

Last winter I got a new Honda-branded "5-year" battery that was priced
about the same as other brands. Does anybody know who actually makes
Honda batteries if it isn't Honda themselves?

 

If the battery is more than four years old I would replace it. It sure beats
getting stranded in the cold. The problem is that as batteries age they will
all the sudden die as the plates short out in one cell. I have had that
happen a couple of times. Battery was very strong starting but one day I
come out to start it and it is stone dead and would not take a charge. A
battery could last seven years but that is really pushing it and almost any
not bottom of the line battery will last four years for sure assuming the
battery was not defective to start with or there is nor a problem with the
car's electrical system overcharging the battery all the time. I bought a
Wal-Mart battery for $40 and installed it myself. It has a 72 month pro
rated warranty and a two year free replacement warranty. It is made by
Exide. One reason other than price that I bought a Wal-Mart battery is
because it had the manufacture date stamped on the side and I was able to
get a very fresh one less than a month old. --- Steve

 

The original battery that came with my 91 Civic was one called an AC
Delco Freedom battery (maintenance free). That lasted until 1998 (60K
miles) (basically the battery went dead after I stored the car in the
open for one month). Replaced with same (cost me about $60 if I
remember correctly). That is still in my car and still going strong
this winter (now at 165K miles). I think one can buy a Honda battery
with dealership/Honda coupons for about $50, but if that lasts just 4
years as others suggest, then I personnaly would stick with the AC
Delco. No idea who makes it (GM?, Delphi? Johnson Controls?).

 

my 98 still has the original battery. when it dies, im just going to get
one from costco for $30 or so. their batteries are made by johnson
controls.