Preemptive Battery Replacement?

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ColesRAM

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Question and opinion (of which I think I know the answer, but would like your thoughts) —-
My 2020 RAM 1500(DT) Laramie with 39K on the clock - it‘s going to be sitting, parked away from home, for a month starting in late Aug. Do I need to be worrying about the life remaining on a 2+ year old battery and its ability to start the engine after a month of sitting idle. I have no indication of an issue now - battery charge shows good and all systems function - no issues. I just don’t want to arrive at the truck in late Sept at zero dark thirty and have a dead battery. Thoughts? Not an issue? replace it now? Concerned over nothing? Thanks much as usual…….
 

Daw14

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Pull your terminals , shouldn’t be any problem then .
 

crazykid1994

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I would use a smart battery tender to keep the battery at full capacity if it sits that long. My truck sits for a week at a time sometimes
 
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ColesRAM

ColesRAM

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Any type of Trickle charges that require a power source won’t work since the truck will be sitting in an secure A/P parking lot for that month - no power source near by. My default is to have jumper cables in the bed ……. Or spring for a new batter? Or a 2+ year old battery is just fine.
 

stevenP

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My OE batteries (diesel 2x batteries) lasted 5 plus years and were a little slower to crank, but never died before I replaced them.
 

crash68

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Pull your terminals , shouldn’t be any problem then .
^^^ this
When you park the truck, pull the negative battery cable, shouldn't have any problems. If you have a portable jump pack throw that in the truck just in case.
 

John Jensen

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Your battery will not be a problem.
Example - I just replaced my 7 year old Eco OEM battery. It was starting the engine just fine but its voltage was dropping too low after sitting for several days.
 

SRT Racing

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My December purchased 2019 RAM Laramie battery just went belly-up. Tried to jump start it with the charger, but get the so-called regular click click. Installed a new one and no issues. Put the charger on the dead one for several days and won't fully charge, just sits at 6 volts.
 

tap4154

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Yesterday I went out to start my 2018 Ram, and got the "click click click". I tried a lithium jump starter, and it didn't help. Checked voltage and it was under 12 volts. The funny thing is, I had absolutely no indication that the battery was dying, and I was out working the day before, with about three stops.

Considering the battery is about 4.5 years from the date the truck was manufactured, that's not too bad. I decided to call AAA to come check it out, and they brought along an exact replacement, made by Interstate. Literally within 30 minutes from the time I called, I had a new battery installed for $193 + tax. Before he replaced it he tested it, and it had no cranking power at all, but he said my charging system was in good shape. I also feel lucky it happened on my driveway!

If you've never used AAA battery service, I highly recommend them. I've used them several times in the past. Good quality batteries at a reasonable price, especially considering they come out to you.
 

GTyankee

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Being as it will be parked in Public Parking, i would leave the battery posts connected.
If you do have a Jump Starter, give it a full charge & put it in the truck.
It used that you could lift up the IAT Fuse, but i don't know if that still works
................
That reminds me, my AAA Premier card has to be renewed
I thought that i had Auto Renewal, so i will drive over there this week, it is close to my credit union.
 

PoMansRam

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Sitting for one month? I probably wouldn't worry about it at all. Have a jump box with you on it's first restart just in case.
 
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ColesRAM

ColesRAM

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Thanks all. Like I posted, I pretty much knew the answer, but it’s comforting to get concurrence from others.
 
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