My 2003 Focus has an EverStart (Wal-Mart) battery, size 40R-3, which is 6 years old and I want to replace it before it starts to go bad. Wal-Mart has their EverStart Maxx series which is supposed to be their premium battery. I picked up one for $120 in the Size T5 which is supposed to fit my vehicle according to the guide they have in the store. I went to replace it this morning and the new battery is is 9 and a half inches wide vs. 11 inches for the old battery. The other dimensions are the same. I think the OEM battery must have been 11 inches since that is the size of the tray. Is there any reason not to use this new battery?

Thanks

 

Something a little more important to compare is the cold cranking amps rating the batteries contain. Battery technology has advanced quite a bit and smaller batteries can deliver equivalent or more power than older larger size batteries. Also Ford battery terminals are usually arranged differently from most other batteries. If the cold cranking amp rating, terminal positions are good, it should not present any problem.
Something else to consider, if possible, try to keep some battery power to the cables at all times to prevent losing various memory info in the computer(s). Jumper wires , not necessarily cables, can be used to do this, avoids a lot of problems !!

 

Thanks to hanky. The CCA was sightly better in the new (Maxx) battery and there was no problem in the placement of the terminals with regard to the cables. Interestingly, the clock had to be reset but the radio presets were not affected.

 

Hanky is a quality member and always provides good info. I am happy you were able to get this figured out!