During my long, greulling 5 1/2 hour 45 mile trip home yesterday through nice little blizzard, I noticed my headlights were starting to dim low when after about 4 1/2 hours of idling through the highway once the idle went down.

Since I bought this car used, I'm assuming since there is a Volvo battery in it that it could be the original? Do they really last 7 or 8 years?

My question is do I have to buy an OEM Volvo battery, or does any company like Sears/Die Hard make one that will fit in the back of the V70? I know the cables have just enough play to get it hooked up since I've taken it out before, but I don't know if I have to stick with a Volvo battery. I would rather buy a Die Hard Gold since that's all I've really used on my past cars, unless there is something better.

When it comes to batteries, I don't mess around. I want the best I can get, even if it breaks the bank.

 

I would buy and install a Interstate MT-48 battery.
They are good batteries and fit in there pretty nice. A minor adjustment needed but will fit good.

 

Where do you buy those? Are they specific to one franchise?

 

You would have to check your area. We sell them at our shop. Not sure who else sells them. You might be able to go to Interstates site and search for a store near you.

 

OK cool. What mods have to be done for it to fit?

 

When you remove the old battery the inside edge of the battery box needs to be tapped in some. Then I install a stud in the place of the bolt removed and slide the hold down back in and install the nut.

 

I did a search on their site and it looks like they have an exact fit one.

How does this one look?

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_estore/Search.aspx?dsNavigation=Nu~Part+Number,Ns~product +Type|101|1|,N~21-4294493341-4294492648-2147384743-4294492683

 

That should work never used that one. We have always used the MT-48 batteries. So you could use either one.

 

The only reason I linked that one is maybe it would fit without needing a mod or anything? I dunno.

 

I wish I could tell you but I haven't used that one.

 

Well, maybe I'll be the sucker that tries it out!

I have a full size spare in the back that barely fits back there, and the tire is about 1/16th " away from the cover, so I don't have much room to play with. I'll figure it out.

I think I may pick up a trickle charger just for now. That shouldn't do any damage to anything, right?

 

That will be fine

 

Thanks Tech,

I appreciate all your advice, you are a tribute to this forum.

I will try the GP 48. I see on the excide web site they spec them for the V90. Worth a bit of hammering for the extra 8 ccas IMHO.

 

Glad I can be of some help to people out there.

 

I actually found that I have an Interstate store on my route to the train in the morning. I didn't even know they had a battery-only shop. They tell me the V70 takes the one listed on their site, the MTP-H6.

I think that's a newer one then the one you guys listed. I'll let you know!

$144.99 + exchange. I'll probably go early Monday morning. They aren't open on the weekends, plus I need to pull all the crap out of the back.

Well see how it works!

 

Sounds like a plan!

 

I also need to replace the battery in my car. Are the Interstate batteries vented? I've read Sears has an international Die Hard battery and it's a vented battery.

 

Yes the interstates are vented there is a tube that you will need to get with the battery to connect it to the factory setup.

 

FWIW,

The group 48 fits like a champ in my 98 V 70. I looked the the Diehard, but found another brand (Advance Auto Platnum) made by the same mfg. It has the same vent, same case, and an 84 month guarantee.... for less the a 'Volvo buck'.

I do not see an OEM vent hose in the car, but will add one... any idea where it was routed to? Does it just run down under the car?

 

Only the 2001 and newer cars had the factory vent. But yes you can run it down.