Why won’t my Thunderbird battery hold a charge?

A battery that won't hold a charge is almost as good as dead. The battery may be too old. Or, you may have been leaving your car doors ajar and the cabin light at night. Stop in for a free battery check at your favorite Firestone Complete Auto Care to learn more about the state of your battery.

What do you do with my old Thunderbird battery?

We recycle it, taking care of both your car and the Earth.

What’s the cost of DieHard batteries for Ford Thunderbirds?

Get affordable prices on Ford Thunderbird 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.

How long is a car battery good for?

A car battery normally lasts three to five years, but this number can vary based on battery type, your driving habits, and battery maintenance.

What is the white, crusty substance accumulating on my Thunderbird’s battery post?

If you notice white, crusty stuff around the battery terminals of your Thunderbird, it's likely corrosion. A chemical reaction between battery acid and the air can create a white, powdery substance that builds up over time on the terminals. This buildup can interfere with the electrical connection between the battery and your Thunderbird’s electrical system, potentially leading to poor performance, difficulty starting, and other issues.

What do I do about corrosion on my Thunderbird car battery?

Regularly inspecting and cleaning your battery terminals will help keep your Thunderbird’s electrical system running smoothly. Before cleaning, reference your owner’s manual for instructions on how to disconnect the battery cables. Once the cables have been disconnected, gently clean the terminals with a mixture of water and baking soda, a wire brush, and a rag.

Who carries Thunderbird batteries near me?

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

Car Batteries for 1988 Ford Thunderbird

Get a New Ford Battery

Ford Thunderbird Batteries Near You

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

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1988 Ford Thunderbird Battery Replacement & Size

Not sure what battery to get for your Ford Thunderbird? Use the following chart to find information on Ford Thunderbird battery size and cold cranking amps.

Battery	Engine	Warranty		Cold Cranking Amps
58-2	V6/3.8L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	550
65-1	L4/2.3L	Replacement 24 months	Performance months	850
65-2	L4/2.3L	Replacement 36 months	Performance months	850
65-AGM	L4/2.3L	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

BATTERIES
V6/3.8L - Battery: 58-2 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 550
L4/2.3L - Battery: 65-1 - Warranty: Replacement 24 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
L4/2.3L - Battery: 65-2 - Warranty: Replacement 36 months, Performance months - Cold Cranking Amps: 850
L4/2.3L - 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

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Shopping for Ford Thunderbird Car Batteries

Your Thunderbird doesn't have an expiration date, but its battery does. Generally, car batteries last from three to five years. Check your battery regularly and replace it as needed so it doesn’t leave you and your Ford Thunderbird stranded. Pay attention to clues that your battery is on its way out. A lagging starter, a blinking battery or check engine light, swollen battery case, corrosion-covered posts, or faded headlights can all be signs that your battery is on its last leg.

You can also get a Free Battery Test at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care. Our equipment can see how much charge is left in your battery. Drop in for a free battery check and, if necessary, a battery replacement to help keep your 1988 Ford Thunderbird running! Car batteries are one of our many specialties! Our technicians are well-acquainted with Ford’s service specs for Thunderbird car batteries’ reserve capacities and cold cranking amps. Get help figuring out the battery size that's best for your Thunderbird, and schedule a weekday or weekend battery replacement service for your car.

Find the Right DieHard Battery for Your Thunderbird

Your Ford Thunderbird deserves the best, which is why we exclusively carry the best. You need a reliable, durable and powerful battery in even the most extreme conditions. DieHard batteries shatter expectations using the latest innovative technology to meet the expanding power needs of new vehicles. Don't call a DieHard battery ordinary. It's an extraordinary battery. Choose a DieHard battery for your Ford Thunderbird and have the peace of mind that performance will be there when you're counting on it. That’s why you should choose batteries from Firestone Complete Auto Care.

Making Your Thunderbird’s New Battery Last

Did you recently have a new 1988 Ford Thunderbird car battery installed? Congrats! Now, help it last longer and stay charged by caring for it from the get-go. You can take care of your battery by limiting short trips, keeping your battery posts clean, and avoiding radio and electronic component use when the engine is off.

Answers to Your Thunderbird Car Battery Questions

Turn to Firestone Complete Auto Care for answers to all your car battery questions. If you have a battery question that's unique to your Ford Thunderbird battery, visit your nearest store. Our expert techs have the answers you need.

Why won’t my Thunderbird battery hold a charge? A battery that won't hold a charge is almost as good as dead. The battery may be too old. Or, you may have been leaving your car doors ajar and the cabin light at night. Stop in for a free battery check at your favorite Firestone Complete Auto Care to learn more about the state of your battery.
What do you do with my old Thunderbird battery? We recycle it, taking care of both your car and the Earth.
What’s the cost of DieHard batteries for Ford Thunderbirds? Get affordable prices on Ford Thunderbird 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.
How long is a car battery good for? A car battery normally lasts three to five years, but this number can vary based on battery type, your driving habits, and battery maintenance.
What is the white, crusty substance accumulating on my Thunderbird’s battery post? If you notice white, crusty stuff around the battery terminals of your Thunderbird, it's likely corrosion. A chemical reaction between battery acid and the air can create a white, powdery substance that builds up over time on the terminals. This buildup can interfere with the electrical connection between the battery and your Thunderbird’s electrical system, potentially leading to poor performance, difficulty starting, and other issues.
What do I do about corrosion on my Thunderbird car battery? Regularly inspecting and cleaning your battery terminals will help keep your Thunderbird’s electrical system running smoothly. Before cleaning, reference your owner’s manual for instructions on how to disconnect the battery cables. Once the cables have been disconnected, gently clean the terminals with a mixture of water and baking soda, a wire brush, and a rag.
Who carries Thunderbird batteries near me? At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we make it easy to get a new car battery. Our stores sell and install Thunderbird batteries, and our Firestone Direct mobile vans can even come to you for added convenience. Check out our mobile battery services to learn more.