WHY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER INTERSTATE BATTERY. Interstate battery review MTP-78

[afellowinnewengland]

As a retired technician I can tell you that most people think the problem is the battery, but it's usually the charging system or parasitic drains. The poor battery suffers through months of abuse and then someone complains the battery is awful. Also, most people forget to charge their new battery to 100% before installing it.  

Plow trucks have auxiliary lighting and hydraulics, etc that put an extra load on the system. This vehicle requires electrical diagnostics, load and draw tests, etc etc. Generally, manufacturing issues with the battery will creep up in the first couple of weeks or months. If the problem is 5-7 years out it's general age. 29 months is a red flag to any good technician the vehicle is the problem.

Lastly, in high abuse situations you really shouldn't be running a flooded lead acid. Use an AGM battery for this type of vehicle.

[idmhead]

You need to use a battery maintainer if your vehicle sits for any length of time if you want your batteries to last

[newriver]

Miss the old Sears Diehards of the 70s and 80s

[who_wantsit]

The biggest problem with the tests that's they are doing is that they are using a digital handheld tester.

They need to use a real battery tester that puts a real load on the battery, and in turn the tester reads how many amps the battery is putting out. That test fails 80% of batteries that are anywhere near weak.

Although I'm sure the Interstate dealer is following Interstate testing standards to fulfill the warranty.

Better equipment will equate to more battery failures....

[connorrampage]

I have always bought my batteries from our local Interstate store and have never
had any problems with there batteries. BUT this last one I bought I had ALL KINDS of
problems with this one. They told me to bring it in and they would charge it. I told them
I wanted a new battery and they would not. The best they could do was charge it
or give me a refund on the balance of the warranty. PEOPLE THESE BATTERIES
ARE MADE BY A COMPANY CALLED JOHNSON CONTROL, WALMART SELLS THIS
SAME BATTERY IN THE NAME OF "MAX LIFE", Johnson Control makes batteries for
about 3-5 other brands. I'm going with one of them, just pay attention to the return
policy. My battery is less then a year old.

[JohnBravo]

I have an interstate battery in my 1996 GMC Sierra here in Canada 🇨🇦 minus 30 C winters and it is still running good after 19 years I am telling the honest truth people. 👍🤠

[tayninh]

I have had Interstate Batteries in all my vehicles and have never had an issue with any of them.

[RubyDash_]

man, not sure if you were unlucky, but i bought a used interstate battery 7 years ago from a flea market (remember it was already used) and I’m still using it heavy on heavy load every single day to this day.

[JayP.]

Never had a problem with my interstate batteries. Out of about 12 I’ve had only one give me problems after 2 years still under full replacement warranty. I guess because I have an actual interstate battery store in my city that I go to I didn’t have to take out and leave my battery there. I just drive up there and it’s taken care of in like 30 minutes depending on how busy they are. Just replaced one that was a little less than a 2 months shy of 5 years old yesterday. Was looking for a review of one of their jumpstart packs when I came across this video. I don’t blame you and if I were in your shoes I’d do the same. I’d go with a brand that one of your local shops can replace without having to send them in. Having to take your batteries in and leave them is ridiculous.

[josemedeiros]

I have had several Interstate batteries, they have to be fully charged before you can run a accurate CCA test. Johnson Controls made Interstate batteries and moved manufacturing to Mexico, and people have complained that they no longer last as long as when they were made in the USA, and they also sold their battery division to Clarios International Inc in 2019.

[jimschnortz]

What good is a warranty if they're going to lie and not honor it?

[gerhardvanniekerk]

I feel the same. After 6 years of experience with Interstate batteries out of desperation I changed to another brand on my jeep and Dodge ram.

[idmhead]

Where did you buy the batteries from? You should have bought them at Costco. From what I've heard, they don't even test them there. All you need is the receipt. Interstate is made by Johnson Controls. Same company that makes numerous other brands. Including Duralast Gold, which is what I have in my car and is from 2015 and still going strong.

[jons.]

Lol i’ve had really good luck with interstate batteries and my local interstate battery store. All batteries have their issues. It’s a fact when you’re our age you see a lot of things and a lot of different battery brands each have their own issues. But again I’ve had really good luck with mine. It’s all about how you run your equipment in your vehicle and things like that.

[PappyNet]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Just last week my Interstate battery MTP 34/78DT went dead and now I am trying to decide whether I want to stick with Interstate or not. I own a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 VHO and I have had three-(3) Interstate batteries, but I think the original battery was a AC Delco and it lasted 6 1/2 years from when I purchased my truck in July 2005]. In my truck's maintenance records, the first replacement battery I purchased was a Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP 34/78DT in January 2012 while I was residing in northern Virginia. In July 2017 that battery went dead, so I purchased another Interstate battery MTP 34/78DT while I was visiting family in Houston, Texas. In July 2019 while residing in northwest Florida that battery went dead, so I received a free new Interstate battery MTP 34/78DT because it was under warranty. All I had to provide was a copy of my purchase receipt and the auto garage shop [Interstate battery dealer] took care of the rest and my new battery arrived within a couple of days with their weekly delivery of batteries.

[dudleydorite]

So on the 29th month you tried to turn them in for 2 new ones? Maybe it was the truck that wasn't charging them properly? You need to charge them if you aren't using them for some time.

[russellsullins]

Plus if you take off the charger for two hours it has a false high reading

[russellsullins]

Odessy batteries expensive but amazing and yes if it is not in a heated garage it needs a maintainer. it help my plow truck the 7.3 diesel that eats batteries for breakfast

[boboswald]

I have found interstate to be best for me, a lot of places have their batteries sitting on shelf to long

[JaegerEpic]

That store did you wrong man. Usually what they do for me at interstate down in Texas is whenever I need them charged to be tested for the warranty they give me two loaners. And I’m my diesel when one tests bad and another test good they will warranty both.