I don't want my wife or me for that matter to get stuck because the battery has found it's assigned death date if there is such a thing. If a battery is assigned a 4 year warranity, then is it best to return to the seller 3 mts early so as not to get stuck on the road?

But then again i guess i would lose 3 mths of use but not so bad, beets getting stuck on the road. my wife's car battery has a date which we have receipt for purchase, but i can't find any markings on my battery for date expiration. No sign of bad batter yet.

What advise do you have? What do you guys do?

scott

there are machines to check battery health, they are fairly accurate. Some part store have them and check battery for free.
If they run it twice, and result shows good, ur battery is fine.

The rule if thumb I always went by, is that a battery will last in a car about 5 years maybe 6. A battery will last past it's "due date" but in my experience at about the 5-6 year mark everything will seem fine and dandy but it will only take one time of stressing the battery out to kill it. What I mean by stressing it out.....having the doors open(dome light on) and radio on(i.e. washing, detailing the car, tailgating)

I found a good article that explains battery test, charge and othe things. Note the section that's titles "Check Battery Voltage and State of Charge", this should help you.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_runs_down.htm

Thanks steak and simtech for the info.--simtech i appreciate the article. i will read it.

i like to check things myself for convienance and time involved, needing to stand in line and then guy at parts store looks at you with a look that says "it's hot outside, check it yourself".

thanks--scott