[BDCCruze]

My Cruze TD has about 60,000 on it, and was manufactured in late 14. However, I get issues where the lights dim when turning and the HVAC fan speed fluctuates. All symptoms of a bad battery. Do the OEM batteries die early?

 

[BDCCruze]

Yes, the AC Delco ones are mostly junk.

However, negative battery cable issues in the Cruze are very common. Have the battery load tested, but these issues while running sound more like a negative cable issue to me. There is an extended warranty coverage on it to replace the cable free of charge.

My negative terminal seems connected tightly. It does not wiggle or move in any way.

 

[BDCCruze]

I believe tightness wasn't the issue, had to do with defective crimp or other aspect in the quality of the stock cable. Your cable should have a tag with mfg date. If it's around the date your car was built then replacement is a good place to start. Covered under warranty.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-g...al-coverage-14311-negative-battery-cable.html

Showing mft date as a few months before the car was built, so definitely the original cable.

 

[BDCCruze]

Reading Interstate is among the best you can buy for on-road.

 

[BDCCruze]

ok... what makes them so good for any application? They are made by Johnson Controls which also makes Wally World Everstart and a lot of others under different Branding labels. Do they offer a no hassle full 5 year free replacement warranty? Are they amount the highest in the industry for CCA or CA for group size? Does their technology in any way differentiate them from among all the other low cost Brands.

Johnson Controls is know for there run of the mill battery, what characteristics makes them soooo good to standout from top name Brand like NorthStar and Optima who make their own batteries... is it that they are the lowest priced? There is an old saying... you get what you pay for.:hope:

The Interstate AGM battery for the Cruze TD is one of the most expensive batteries I've found for it. *check*

It also has 10 more CCA than the X2. The warranty is not as good though, but it does cost a little less to make up for it. *check*

You linked CR for something, well they really like the Interstate. In this recent test it won 3 out of 6 categories. *check*

And by your own words, Interstate plus Everstart (made by Interstate) won 5 out of 6 categories combined. *check*

Sounds like it meets your criteria.

 

[BDCCruze]

I think almost anyone can make good batteries if they want. The decision on the quality and durability comes from what market segment they want to be in, therefore reflecting the amount they spend on construction and QA of the batteries.

 

[BDCCruze]

I replaced my negative battery terminal a few months ago. Today when starting for the first time I forgot to run the glow plugs. While cranking I got the service stabilitrak message. Time for a new battery? I still have the stock 730CCA one from the 14.