Aurora battery life

Have a '96 Aurora with 71k miles. Still has original battery. got to believe I'm running on borrowed time.

Doesn't look like a battery you can purchase at Wal-Mart!

It must be a lead/acid battery & past its life expectancy. Any one have info on batt life for this car?

I think the originals are supposed to be 7 year batteries. The slightly narrower one that replaced it is a 72 month battery. The difference between the OEM and the Wal-Mart batteries is being able to hook up the vent tubes so the acid fumes get vented outside through the floor.

There were at least 2 posts floating around a while back on where to get one and for a reasonable price. I paid $85 if I remember right. Don't just accept the $150-$200 some dealers want.

Oh, and I replaced the original in my 95 last december when my alternator went out. It still showed green in the eye, but the little ball wasn't all the way at the top anymore. As long as your's holds 12v while the car is off and it starts OK I don't think you need to worry about it if you don't want to.

One of the reasons why the batteries last as long as they do is because the environment in the car is much less harsh than underhood.

I replaced mine on my '98 back in September of '02 (car had sat on the dealer lot for nearly a year, so the battery wasn't that great). I think I paid $105 at the local Buick dealer.

You definitely want the correct battery, and make sure you hook up the vent tubes. I've read a couple of (apocryphal?) stories about fires/explosions due to un-vented batteries in Aurora/Riviera backseats...

I had also heard that unvented battery vapours can eat away at the seatbelts.

HL

Thank you all for the response. When you think about it, maybe it is the environment that prolongs the life; good point. :)
I guess "if it not broke, don't fix it" is a good plan of action right now. However, I will leisurely shop around for a replacement with venting capabilities (don't need to deal with a car fire). :uhoh:

Thanks for the update on the voltage when the car is not on, I will surely check for 12 V's

I'm consistant at 15.1-15.5 when the car is running :)

thx again!

I have a 1998 Aurora with the orignal battery. I am coming up on 9 years old soon, and I have decided to keep the car another 3 years (only 86K miles, and in great shape). Where should I get the "right" replacement battery, and what kind of price would I expect to pay?

i have 150,000 miles on my 98 aurora. haven't changed battery or basically anything yet. car runs like a champ.

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