Odyssey Battery - just purchased with old date code

[mrgeep]

I've been using Odyssey batteries in my dual battery setup and trailer box for a few years now. I needed to replace the trailer battery and ordered one from NAPA (had a decent coupon) and when I picked it up today I noticed the date code is from January 2021. I know these batteries last well when they're in storage and that my warranty starts at the time of purchase, but I'm still hesitant to use a $300+ battery that's already over 3 years old. Would that raise any red flags for any of you?

 

[Beowulf]

I should be fine, but it would annoy me.

 

[nwoods]

Yeah, I would probably not take that one home. I just bought one that was 5 months old and I was on the fence about it. It works fine, but you want the warranty to not be a hassle should you ever need to rely on it.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

At about 4 to 6 year life expectancy of a "normal" car battery, if Odyssey really is 3x longer lasting, your Odyssey should last at least 12 years. If that's right, it is likely already 25% eaten into that time. Was the coupon for 25% off the battery?

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

At about 4 to 6 year life expectancy of a "normal" car battery, if Odyssey really is 3x longer lasting, your Odyssey should last at least 12 years. If that's right, it is likely already 25% eaten into that time. Was the coupon for 25% off the battery?

My experience has been only 5 years with Odyssey. I have also used Optima...only 4 years. So now I have been using Walmart Brand. Guess their life? 5 years, but at a fraction of the cost. So now I used Walmart brand on all my vehicles...from Sienna to Elantra and Mazda to lexus...lol.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

My experience has been only 5 years with Odyssey. I have also used Optima...only 4 years. So now I have been using Walmart Brand. Guess their life? 5 years, but at a fraction of the cost. So now I used Walmart brand on all my vehicles...from Sienna to Elantra and Mazda to lexus...lol.

Then I wouldn't pay for a battery that was manufactured 3 years ago, even if I got it for half off. You're looking for another one next year, year after if you are lucky

 

[ThundahBeagle]

My experience has been only 5 years with Odyssey. I have also used Optima...only 4 years. So now I have been using Walmart Brand. Guess their life? 5 years, but at a fraction of the cost. So now I used Walmart brand on all my vehicles...from Sienna to Elantra and Mazda to lexus...lol.

I went to Advance and got my Die Hard, probably a little over 3 years ago. But I bet you are right. There are only x number of manufacturers and they each have different tiers of quality. No matter what sticker gets slapped on them, it's really the tier level that counts for the most

 

[NatersXJ6]

Battery life should really be about charge cycles. Shelf life shouldnt, theoretically, be a factor.

 

[fourfa]

I had the Diehard Platinum Group 65 that was actually a rebadged Odyssey PC1750T. Put ten HARD years on that battery with zero problems. It only started failing when I got a new truck and stopped charging the Odyssey except a couple times a year. Personally I wouldn't worry about 3 years on the shelf with no cycles

 

[86scotty]

Battery life should really be about charge cycles. Shelf life shouldnt, theoretically, be a factor.

I want to believe that but at the same time I don't trust it. Meaning any battery can fail at any time, even a good one, so if I got one with an old date like this I would always be worried about it.

Personally I would return it for a new date code battery, especially if I was shelling out for an Odyssey.

 

[Weeds]

I gave up on Optima's a long time ago. My friend, owned the battery store, we jeeped together, would always replace it under warranty, but it was a pain.

 

[Superduty]

What did you end up doing?

NO WAY I would accept a 3 year old battery. 4 months "old" is the worst I would accept.

Did you happen to check voltage of the battery?