It might be a good idea, especially if you can get a good deal on one. You can see how she starts when it gets colder and decide then. It's what I did. Mine was getting a little iffy and I hate being stranded, so when it tested bad I knew it was time.

 

i would. dont need to be getting stuck somewhere...

edit: you can buy the battery on advance autos site, and use a 40, or 50 off coupon, or a 30% off coupon. either way it shou.d net you some savings. thats how i bought my dual batteries. saved a hundo, and would do it again in a heart beat!

thats how i usually buy all my parts as well. saves you some decent amount of money!

 

Top up if necessary, charge fully, then test open circuit voltage and electrolyte specific gravity. If both are in spec, do a load test -- if you don't have a load tester, just pull the coil wire from the distributor and use the starter as the load and call it a pass if the voltage doesn't fall below 9VDC while cranking. If the open circuit voltage, specific gravity, and load test results are all in spec just smile and keep on keepin' on.

 

2004 dodge Durango 5.7 4x4. prepping car for long trip today & noticed slight leak on seal. fluid level seems fine but need to find a more level spot to be sure & get more 75w 140 synth..


Question is, will it be ok. Going 2k pulling a trailer in cold weather. Car never really been in cold weather before. Have a new battery. Have 80k miles on it & have always been on top of the fluid changes.


Any help appreciated. Nervous long tripper.

 

On the battery issue, I no this is dodge forum but have an older 96 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4.( A lot of parts are the same.) Replaced battery as not holding a charge with a local part store. less the yr. old. Wouldn't hold charge again now. Reading .13v. On trickle charge again. How to determine if crappy battery or there is a drain somewhere. Thanks

 

Developed a small coolant leak on the bottom corner of the radiator on the drivers side. Topped up with fluid and trying to track it down and see if it's the fins or on the plastic sidings. Sure doesn't like these cold snaps and warming up, then getting frosty again

 

Yup, the lead terminals had stretched and split... I only nip them up until I can't twist them on the post... any looser and it's a crap shoot as to when it wont start without popping the hood and wriggling the terminal.
I used the same technique for the brass.

 

Just a suggestion to test your antifreeze in this cold weather with a tester to see what it can handle.

 

Bought a brand new interstate battery for $170. Gunna install it tomorrow.

 

Ordered a Odyssey PC1500. It's got some heft. Can't wait to tell the difference in winch performance....