Why doesn’t my F-250 battery stay charged?

A car battery that needs to be jump-started every time is as good as dead. The battery may be too old. Or, you’ve been leaving the doors slightly open and the cabin light at night. Stop by for a complimentary battery check at your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care and learn more about your battery's charge.

What do you do with my dead F-250 battery?

We recycle it! Nearly 100% of all lead-acid batteries are recyclable.

What’s the cost of DieHard batteries for Ford F-250s?

Get affordable prices on Ford F-250 batteries by using one of our limited-time battery deals. Plus, all DieHard car batteries come with a free replacement warranty and extra coverage with DieHard Assurance.

What is the average lifespan of a car battery?

The typical 12-volt car battery may last three to five years, depending on the type of battery, the driving conditions, and how well the battery is maintained.

What is the white, crusty substance accumulating on my F-250’s battery post?

The white, crusty stuff that can accumulate around F-250 car battery terminals is called corrosion. It is caused by a chemical reaction between the battery acid and the air, which creates a white, powdery substance that can build up on the terminals over time. Corrosion can interfere with the flow of electricity between the battery post and the car's electrical system, sometimes leading to poor electrical performance, difficulty starting, and even premature battery failure.

How do I clean corrosion off my F-250 vehicle battery?

You can help prevent or get rid of corrosion by regularly inspecting and cleaning your battery terminals. Before cleaning your battery, see your F-250 owner's manual to learn how to disconnect the battery cables. After disconnecting the cables, use a mixture of water and baking soda, a wire brush, and a rag to carefully clean the terminals.

Where can I find a battery for my F-250?

At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we make it easy to get a new car battery. Our stores sell and install F-250 batteries, and our Firestone Direct mobile vans can even come to you for added convenience. Check out our mobile battery services to learn more.

1988 Ford F-250 Car Batteries

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Ford F-250 Batteries Near You

Don’t let a dead battery stop you. Shop replacement car batteries for your 1988 Ford F-250 at Firestone Complete Auto Care.

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Battery Size & Replacement for 1988 Ford F-250

Need more info about Ford F-250 batteries? Use this chart to find the right battery size and CCAs for your Ford F-250.

Battery	Engine	Warranty		Cold Cranking Amps
65-1	L6/4.9L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	850
65-2	L6/4.9L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-AGM	L6/4.9L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	750
65-1	V8/5.0L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	850
65-2	V8/5.0L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-AGM	V8/5.0L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	750
65-2	V8/7.3L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-1	V8/5.8L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	850
65-2	V8/5.8L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-AGM	V8/5.8L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	750
65-1	V8/7.5L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	850
65-2	V8/7.5L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-AGM	V8/7.5L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	750

BATTERIES
L6/4.9L - Battery: 65-1 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
L6/4.9L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
L6/4.9L - Battery: 65-AGM - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 750
V8/5.0L - Battery: 65-1 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/5.0L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/5.0L - Battery: 65-AGM - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 750
V8/7.3L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/5.8L - Battery: 65-1 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/5.8L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/5.8L - Battery: 65-AGM - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 750
V8/7.5L - Battery: 65-1 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/7.5L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
V8/7.5L - Battery: 65-AGM - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 750

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Shopping for Ford F-250 Car Batteries

Sadly, your Ford F-250 won't last forever. Neither will its battery. On average, auto batteries last anywhere from three to five years. Check your battery regularly and replace it as needed so it doesn’t leave you and your Ford F-250 stranded. Watch for signs that your current battery is getting too old or too weak. A sluggish engine start, an illuminated check engine light or battery signal, swollen battery case, corrosion-covered posts, or dim headlights can all be signs that your battery is waving goodbye.

Plus, at Firestone Complete Auto Care, we’ll test your battery for free. With best-in-class tools we can tell you how much "life" is left in your battery. Visit us for a complimentary battery check and, if necessary, a battery replacement to help keep your 1988 Ford F-250 running! Car batteries are only one of our many strong suits. Our technicians are well-acquainted with Ford’s service specs for F-250 battery CCAs and reserve capacity. Get help identifying the type and size of battery that fits your car perfectly, and schedule an appointment today for a quick car battery replacement.

Why Choose a DieHard Battery for Your F-250?

We only want what’s best for your Ford F-250, which is why we only carry top-of-the-line replacement parts and batteries. Your vehicle needs a reliable, durable and powerful battery that can handle most extreme environments and weather conditions. DieHard batteries shatter expectations using the latest innovative technology to satisfy the increasing power demands of new vehicles. Don't call a DieHard battery ordinary. It's an extraordinary battery. Go with a DieHard battery for your F-250 and drive with confidence knowing that your battery will perform when you need it. That’s why you should choose batteries from Firestone Complete Auto Care.

Making Your F-250’s New Battery Last

Got a new car battery installed in your 1988 Ford F-250? Great job! Now, help it last longer and stay charged by caring for it from the get-go. Help extend your car battery’s life by decreasing the number of short trips you take, keeping the battery posts corrosion-free, and not playing the radio or using other electronics when the engine is turned off.

Commonly Asked F-250 Battery Questions

Turn to Firestone Complete Auto Care for answers to all your car battery questions. If you have a F-250-specific battery question, visit your nearest store. Our technicians have the answers.

Why doesn’t my F-250 battery stay charged? A car battery that needs to be jump-started every time is as good as dead. The battery may be too old. Or, you’ve been leaving the doors slightly open and the cabin light at night. Stop by for a complimentary battery check at your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care and learn more about your battery's charge.
What do you do with my dead F-250 battery? We recycle it! Nearly 100% of all lead-acid batteries are recyclable.
What’s the cost of DieHard batteries for Ford F-250s? Get affordable prices on Ford F-250 batteries by using one of our limited-time battery deals. Plus, all DieHard car batteries come with a free replacement warranty and extra coverage with DieHard Assurance.
What is the average lifespan of a car battery? The typical 12-volt car battery may last three to five years, depending on the type of battery, the driving conditions, and how well the battery is maintained.
What is the white, crusty substance accumulating on my F-250’s battery post? The white, crusty stuff that can accumulate around F-250 car battery terminals is called corrosion. It is caused by a chemical reaction between the battery acid and the air, which creates a white, powdery substance that can build up on the terminals over time. Corrosion can interfere with the flow of electricity between the battery post and the car's electrical system, sometimes leading to poor electrical performance, difficulty starting, and even premature battery failure.
How do I clean corrosion off my F-250 vehicle battery? You can help prevent or get rid of corrosion by regularly inspecting and cleaning your battery terminals. Before cleaning your battery, see your F-250 owner's manual to learn how to disconnect the battery cables. After disconnecting the cables, use a mixture of water and baking soda, a wire brush, and a rag to carefully clean the terminals.
Where can I find a battery for my F-250? At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we make it easy to get a new car battery. Our stores sell and install F-250 batteries, and our Firestone Direct mobile vans can even come to you for added convenience. Check out our mobile battery services to learn more.