Never made it out of the garage this afternoon. There isn't enough juice in the battery to turn the starter. I knew this day was coming (it just usually happens on the first cold day of the year, not the first time the overnight low is 73.)

Point of interest: There are two basic types of batteries - "flooded" (battery acid and caps that come off to fill) and AGM - (closed units with acid in fiberglass) that generally have a longer life. Most warranties are prorated so the older the battery the less you get back if it fails.

I called around for 3 quotes: the Jewell automotive shop near me, the mechanic I just started using that is a few miles away, and Firestone, not far from here. Then I pulled up Consumer Reports to learn what their answers actually added up to.

Jewell would charge me $534.80 for a Motorcraft battery, 36 month full-replacement warranty. (Not on the CR list at all, flooded, new at O'Reilly for $256.99—extra points if you can see what they're doing here).

My local little shop will charge about $150 for a Delco (flooded, CR rank 84) with installation (30 month prorated warranty).

Firestone will charge me $258.37 for a DieHard battery (Advanced Auto Parts took over the brand from Sears) with installation, 36 months, prorated.

I only give these details because of the issues. Motorcraft and Delco are cheap but serviceable batteries. Jewel offers the "full replacement" by doubling the battery cost in case they have to fulfill their "warranty." The local mechanic offered to install a serviceable inexpensive flooded battery for a lower cost. The Firestone quote - hmmm. There are different DieHards, the Platinum AGM (CR Recommended, rated 86), $220 at Advanced or the Gold, on CR (79, flooded), $170. If I tell them I want the Platinum the total cost will go up some, but I'd have a better battery.

In the morning I'll call my shop and ask if they'll buy and install a better battery or if I can buy it and pay them to install it, or else I can ask Firestone to get the better battery. Part of this depends on their suppliers and what is in stock. And whoever gives me the better answer, then I'll call AAA to come jump the battery so I can go to the shop.

You work to be sure you're not being sold a bill of goods, and even after the research it is sometimes still a crapshoot.