Who Makes Interstate Batteries & Are They Good?

In this article we are going to look at one of the major players in the car battery game, Interstate. We will find out a little more about the company and then review the quality of their products. So if you are considering Interstate for your next car battery read on and see if they might be right for you.

Who Are Interstate Batteries?

In 1950 Interstate founder John Searcy began selling and delivering car batteries to wholesalers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. Within two years Searcy founded his own company Interstate Battery System in honor of the now growing interstate highway system.

The company grew rapidly and has even seen acclaim in motor racing with their products. Today they enjoy annual revenue in the billions so it seems safe to say they have a great reputation for their products.

Who Makes Interstate's Batteries?

Interstate relies on a number of select partners to actually manufacture their batteries such as Exide Technologies and Brookfield Business partners. These batteries are then distributed through a variety of vendors nationwide.

Their batteries can be found in all types of vehicles from cars to boats and even in lawnmowers. There are over 200,000 dealers selling their batteries throughout the North American continent as well as parts of South and Central America.

Are Interstate Batteries Considered Good?

Show me a perfect company and I’ll show you one that has never been tested. With over 70 years in the automotive business Interstate certainly knows what they are doing and they have built the type of reputation that does indeed stand the test of time.

It is hard to find much to criticize them for but this does not mean that it is impossible. They are known for their quality product and a very versatile range which of course is great. They do have some shortcomings however including their limited warranty coverage and when it comes to customer service that have had some criticism.

What’s Good About Interstate Batteries?

Multiple Suppliers

When all of your product is coming from just one location you often find yourself having to charge more for units that are sold further away from their point of origin. Interstate gets around this issue by working with quality suppliers throughout the US to make their batteries.

It is expensive to manufacture and transport batteries so having hubs around the country cuts down on these travel costs with the savings being passed on to the consumer. There is always a risk when using multiple suppliers that the product quality is not consistent but Interstate makes sure they use quality companies to avoid this issue.

Great Range

You might forgive a company for just making a few variations of a battery for automobiles and leaving it at that. The theory of making a few things well over making a lot of things poorly does not seem to bother Interstate.

Instead of just a few products they have built their range to supply batteries of multiple sizes and for multiple applications. It is just as easy to find a battery for your car as it is to find one for your lawnmower when you are searching Interstate's range.

Tough Construction

When you look at an Interstate battery one of the first things you will notice is the sturdy case surrounding the unit itself. They understand the bumps and jostles that can occur as we drive and have created a battery that is sturdy and tough.

They also have high quality standards for their batteries meaning that they are designed to last as long as possible. This is an attitude sadly lacking in most manufacturers these days where companies look to leave weaknesses that will eventually lead you to have to buy another unit or make a repair.

Their Batteries Are Sealed

Most batteries on the market are not fully sealed which can affect their general longevity. Interstate seals their batteries which makes them more compact and generally able to hold their charge for a longer period of time.

Affordability

You might imagine that this extra care and attention in the manufacture of Interstate batteries would make them a premium item. The truth is you would be wrong as they are comparable to other quality units in the market.

As mentioned they are able to keep their process competitive thanks to their multiple supplier network. Money saved on transport offsets the extra attention to manufacture. You therefore get a quality product for the cost of units that frankly are not quite as good.

What’s Bad About Interstate Batteries?

Having heaped some praise on the company we would be remiss to not look at where they do in fact fall short. It may not be a long list but some of the factors may influence your choice of battery brand.

Limited Warranty

Some may see it as a sign of confidence in their product that Interstate would offer such a short warranty as compared to other brands or perhaps a lack of faith. The truth is that their product generally lasts as long if not longer than they claim.

They however do not offer a warranty that lasts up to their claim which means if the battery suffers a rare manufacturer defect after the warranty expires you are out of luck. It’s really a gamble. You should be able to trust that the battery will last and it probably will but if the worst happens the warranty does not really have your back for very long.

Customer Service

If you have been looking at customer reviews online you have likely spotted that customer service tends to be their weak point. That said this is a trend that is growing across the board these days. The limited warranty probably contributes to this issue with customers being upset if the battery outlasts the warranty but doesn’t match what the company says it will.

How Long Do Interstate Batteries Last?

As mentioned these batteries are designed to last but there are of course limitations. Generally speaking you can expect their batteries to last between 3 – 6 years depending on how you treat them and what type they are.

They are a high quality brand and if you treat the battery well it can really last a long time. It is still prone to the same damaging effects of other batteries so leaving them unused or charging them poorly can cause damage and decrease lifespan.

Conclusion

Interstate batteries are a good company in most respects and their products are very well respected. Generally speaking they have few issues when it comes to consistency but obviously issues can happen. Their warranty length is limited which can be a turn off to some and their customer service does not have the best reputation.

Ultimately the choice of battery brand is with the customer and they have the right to shop around. Interstate is without question a quality manufacturer and usually more than value for the money.

Link To or Reference This Page

We spend a lot of time collecting, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site to be as useful to you as possible.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Tow Ratings as the source. We appreciate your support!