I just bought my 07 5.9L a couple months ago but noticed now that it's getting colder the battery indicator will read at low end, then jump above half. It will stay above half then drop back down. It only does this when the truck has sat over night and it's idling in the morning. After driving it the battery indicator reads at half way the rest of the day. I think that one of the batteries is getting weak. Should I replace both or can I do one? Also which batteries are best for really cold weather. I'm stationed at Ft Drum in upstate NY so its gets pretty **** cold. Thanks

 

The jumping up and down is caused by the grid heaters cycling. That's normal, so don't worry about it.

A stock battery will last anywhere fron 3-8 years. And really cold weather will kill it pretty fast. You won't find much colder weather in the lower 48 that right there on the river, so your batteries are just about ready for replacement, I would guess. If they're starting the truck OK, you might get another year or two out of them.

Replace them both at the same time.

 

The lowest it has gotten is 19 degrees throughout the night and after the glow plugs heat up (about 10-15 seconds) it starts up quickly. When I get back from vacation I have to install the block heater cable and a winter grill cover. After reading through this forum I'm going to get them through Geno's. It seems like a good place and highly regarded on this forum.

 

When it does come time to replace the batteries, which type do you suggest?

 

I bought the biggest Duralast batteries that Autozone carries 4 years ago and no problems.

I noticed my truck turning over too slowly for my liking, so today I disconnected both batteries and checked them with my load tester. they both read ok, but weak

So, then i cleaned up the top of both batteries (pretty greasy underhood on 270,000+ mile rig) cleaned both terminals and posts on both batteries, popped the covers off and noticed one was really low on fluid so I added distilled water to them both.

reassembled everything. I havent driven the truck very far to charge them up, but they are spinning the starter noticably faster now.

I have had good luck with Duralast batteries, also Interstate. there are many other good brands out there. i'd say go to your favorite parts house and buy 2 of the biggest batteries they have if cleaning up all of your connections doesn't do the trick

I live near st louis, so not as cold as NY, but it does get in the single digit temps in january.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

Your truck doesn't have glow plugs, it has a grid heater.

Every couple of years, Consumer Reports does a pretty good battery test. The top three are usually Sears, Autozone, and Interstate. I generally find the Duralast to be a little cheaper. I have put Duralast batteries in almost all my vehicles for the last decade or so.

One of your concerns is, where will you be stationed next? I'm not sure if Autozone is easy to find nationwide. If there's no Autozone withing 200 miles of your new home, the warrenty isn't much good. When I was active duty, I always bought Sears for that reason.

Yesterday I replaced the batteries in my truck. I got them from Autozone. They even gave me a 10% military discount.

 

i just replaced the batteries in my 2005 a few months ago.

I when with yellow top duralast batteries at autozone,
the batteries have 100cca more power per battery than the stock batteries.
Also, if i have problems the auotzone stores are open on weekends and nights, batteries are made in the US and have a good warranty.

the boys changed the batteries for me and (i watched them) they did a very good job. No 5 min job changing those big batteries.

I run yellow top duralast batteries on my tractor, van and truck.

about $135 ea, but old dodgie do right spins over and starts right up.