Originally Posted by dedwards0323

There are quite a few choices when it comes to a battery for the XFire. Not sure I fully agree with 180 on getting an AGM style; when they first came out there were lots of issues with reliability. Many of these have been addressed since and the AGM-style gets better reviews now. It is more expensive than the typical wet cell version.

The standard wet cell battery with a 3-yr replacement warranty is probably going to last 4-5 years, depending on number of starts over time. I've got a Duracell in my 2007 Coupe that I bought from Batteries Plus when they ran a sale. Otherwise probably would have bought a battery somewhere else based on price.

I've used the Walmart MAXX batteries on several of my cars and always got good results. And the battery is usually fairly inexpensive at Walmart and they typically keep the Group 48 or H6 battery (that's the battery size for the XFire) in stock. Be sure to check the date on the battery which tells when it was filled with electrolyte. You don't want to purchase one that's been sitting on the shelf longer than a few months (2-3). Sam's Club also has good prices on batteries (a different brand than Walmart), but may not have the XFire battery in stock. Nearly every generic parts store (i.e., AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, Pep Boys) will have a battery that fits the XFire.

And one thing you'll find out is that the overall case differs across the gambit of car batteries for the XFire. The issue we deal with is whether the height is the same (or at least close) to the OEM Varta so the hold down clamp works as before. In the case of my Duracell, it was slightly taller than the Varta so I had to bend the hold down clamp some to get a proper fitment. Some batteries are shorter (Interstate is, I think) and folks have used a rubber spacer under the hold down clamp to get a proper fitment.

And as many of us will tell you, searching this forum will turn up all kinds of knowledge from others on batteries selected for the Crossfire. Oh, and make sure you keep the small plastic vent pot that's mounted on your Varta (assuming you're placing the OEM Varta). You'll need to move this over to your new battery to catch small amount of vapor that escapes. Most shops will discard that vent pot & you want to make sure they transfer it. Nearly all new batteries will not come with that vent pot (at least I've never seen one that did).