Everything You Need to Know About Duralast Batteries

You can find Duralast batteries at AutoZone; they are for sale anywhere in their stores across the U.S., and Autozone’s Duralast is a registered trademark. This is why Walmart cannot merchandise Duralast Batteries. In this guide, we will explain who manufactured Duralast batteries, which Duralast battery variant is the best, how long Duralast batteries could last, and what the cheaper alternatives are.

What is the Duralast battery lifespan duration?

You probably wonder if Duralast is any good. If you want to buy an excellent battery that could last between three to five years, Duralast Gold and Platinum batteries are an exceptional choice.

The regular Duralast battery lasts between two to three years. The battery shown in the picture below was returned to an AutoZone store only after four months, but these returns are infrequent and covered by the warranty.

If your Duralast battery fails a few months after purchase, have an auto mechanic diagnose and troubleshoot the vehicle for a parasitic draw. Although the battery may be defective, there is most likely an electrical problem with your vehicle.

Which Duralast Battery is best?

It can be confusing to decide which Duralast battery to purchase when you are at an AutoZone outlet. Duralast Gold is a good choice, but Duralast Platinum is the best Autozone battery if you want one that will last a long time.

Here are the main differences between AutoZone Batteries; Duralast, Valuecraft, Gold, and Platinum.

Duralast Platinum

• Duralast Platinum batteries are the most expensive.
• AGM batteries perform much better than the lead-acid (Gold, Valuecraft) models.
• Platinum batteries have at least a three-year warranty.
• Expect them to last over five years.

Duralast Gold

• Duralast Gold is a little cheaper than Platinum batteries.
• It is not an AGM battery, they are lead-acid type batteries.
• Duralast Gold has a three-year warranty as well.
• Expect them to last between three to five years.

Duralast

• This is your average Duralast battery and is cheaper than Gold and Platinum.
• Has a two-year battery.
• Expect it to last between two to four years.
• Lead-acid battery.

Valuecraft / Econocraft

• The cheapest battery you can buy at Autozone.
• Has a one-year warranty.
• The expected duration is between one to three years.
• Lead-acid battery.

Which Duralast battery should I buy?

You should only buy a Duralast battery that is the same group size as your original battery and has very similar battery cranking amps. The best Duralast battery is Platinum. Typically, they are AGM (absorbed glass mat) type batteries that can last over five years. It is a type of battery that contains a special glass mat separator thus making it better than a lead-acid batteries.

Duralast Platinum is a good battery brand replacement for any luxury vehicle such as Lexus, Accura, BMW, Audi, VW, or Mercedes-Benz. However, the downside of this battery is its high price. If you are concerned about the price, Duralast Gold is your second-best option and is more affordable.

If Duralast Platinum is too expensive for your budget, pick the regular Duralast battery with a two-year warranty. We do not recommend the Valuecraft or Econocraft batteries, which sometimes last only one year.

Who makes Duralast batteries?

AutoZone indirectly manufactures Duralast batteries. Although AutoZone sells Duralast batteries, they are made by companies such as Johnson Controls and East Penn Manufacturing. Valuecraft, Duralast, and Duralast Gold are AutoZone’s private-label brands for lead-acid automotive batteries. Duralast Platinum is an AGM battery line.

How to read the Duralast date code?

Usually, the location of the sticker label is on the top of the battery or the side; the month and date the battery was manufactured are mentioned on the label. For example, 4/19 is written on the label. The date format is a two-digit by two-digit. The first digits are the month, and the second value is the year when the battery was made. The example means that the battery was made in April 2019.

How old is my Duralast battery? 

By looking at the round sticker at the top or side of the battery, you can quickly identify how old your Duralast battery is. The sticker has the manufactured date, which tells you when the battery was exactly made. If the date today was September 2021, then your Duralast battery was assembled in March 2020 if you see on the sticker label written 03/20. It means your battery is one and a half years old.

What is Duralast batteries warranty information?

The duration of the warranty is determined by what variant of battery you purchase. If you buy Gold and Platinum batteries, they have a 3-year warranty, while the cheapest Duralast battery (not Gold or Platinum) has only a 2-year warranty.

Does Autozone install Duralast batteries?

Correct, Autozone installs Duralast batteries free of charge on most vehicles. However, Autozone will not install the battery on high-end cars such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, etc. Those vehicles need battery programming, which Autozone representatives cannot perform. If you want to know if Autozone will install the battery for free on your car, you need to call your nearest Autozone store and tell them your make and model.

Duralast battery alternatives

Everstart batteries, sold in Walmart are probably the best choice, if you are looking for car battery that can provide with equal quality as the Duralast batteries but are cheaper, Everstart batteries are more affordable and typically have longer warranty periods than Duralast batteries.

If you’re looking for batteries of better quality than Duralast, Advance Auto Parts is retailing DieHard. It is a good alternative. The only downside is that DieHard batteries are more expensive than Duralast.

Another alternative to Duralast is Optima batteries. Optima are AGM-type batteries and could last for quite some time. One of the complexities with Optima batteries is that they don’t follow conventional battery sizing, so finding the correct Optima battery for your vehicle can be challenging. Optima batteries can be purchased online.

Conclusion

Duralast batteries will typically last between three to five years and are regarded as good batteries; in fact, their Duralast Platinum is top-of-the-line and expensive but can last well over five years. Duralast Gold provides a good combination of quality and value. Although Duralast batteries are an Autozone brand, they are not manufactured by Autozone but by third parties such as Johnson Controls. We hope you find the “Everything You Need to Know About Duralast Batteries” guide helpful. For more help with your vehicle, check these troubleshooting and repair guides.

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