Originally posted by Eurythmian02:
In reply to:
Typical battery life is about five years.
I have never had a Ford stock battery last more that three years.
'90 Escort GT = Battery lasted 2 years.
'91 Probe GT = Battery lasted three years.
'94 Ranger Splash = Battery lasted three years.
'96 Mercury Mystique = Battery lasted 2 years.
'00 Windstar SEL = Battery still alive.
I replaced all of them with a SEARS Diehard.
Great batteries... Diehards never fail.
The Mystique was a bit $$$.$$!
Eurythmian 
DieHard batteries are made by the same vendor that supplies Motorcraft batteries. This is a fact. They are essentually the same battery. Your personal sample is not typical. There is no statistical difference in battery life between Motorcraft and Diehard batteries. Motorcraft has a better warranty. I use both on my own cars.
One of the big battery killers on new cars is the length of time the car sits in inventory before it is sold. The lack of maintenance (charging if needed), frequent starts without enough run time to recover, very slight but measurable draw from keep alive electronic memory, etc. all take their tole.
My results differed from yours.
1998 Ford Contour SVT 3 1/2 years
1991 Mercury Tracer 5 years
1984 Ford Club Wagon 5 years
1965 Ford Mustang 7 years
