YACT - What's the average lifespan of a car battery?

[Mursilis]

The battery in my truck (97 Tacoma) is OEM, and it's got a very weak charge. It's not getting any stronger with driving, either. Everything else in the electrical system looks fine - none of the wires are loose, worn, or corroded, the alternator drive belt is tight, etc., so I'm thinking it's the battery. The light on the battery is green (meaning good charge), which makes me think it's NOT the battery, but it is 7 years old, and don't most batteries last only 5 years or so?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[DougK62]

7 years old is quite a long time for a battery.

 

[lightpants]

5-7 years is typical

 

[0roo0roo]

should replace it just in case. unless you like the idea of being stranded.

 

[Ogg]

I wish I could get a battery to last that long.........maybe I should stop buying the really really cheap ones

 

[amdskip]

Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

 

[metallibloke]

Originally posted by: DougK62
7 years old is quite a long time for a battery.

This is what people told me when I had to get a new battery earlier this year.

 

[Rastus]

Batteries are designed to last about as long as the warrenty. I've gotten longer life from them, but not usually.

 

[Nebor]

Factory (OEM) batteries tend to fair better than auto parts store batteries. So go for a battery from your dealer, or if you have a Ford or Chevy, go for a Motorcraft or AC Delco battery at your local auto parts store.

I have a 1997 Volvo that still has the original battery in it. How do you guys like THAT?

 

[Mursilis]

Thanks to all for the replies. Looks like it's time to replace it. BTW, the original is maintainence free and sealed, so I can't fill it or check the water levels. It just has the little hydrometer on top, which is green right now, signifying a 'good' charge.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Just about all batteries are maintenance free now.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Factory (OEM) batteries tend to fair better than auto parts store batteries. So go for a battery from your dealer, or if you have a Ford or Chevy, go for a Motorcraft or AC Delco battery at your local auto parts store.

I have a 1997 Volvo that still has the original battery in it. How do you guys like THAT?

They are all made by the same battery companies, usually. GNB, Yuasa Exide, etc...

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy

Originally posted by: Nebor
Factory (OEM) batteries tend to fair better than auto parts store batteries. So go for a battery from your dealer, or if you have a Ford or Chevy, go for a Motorcraft or AC Delco battery at your local auto parts store.

I have a 1997 Volvo that still has the original battery in it. How do you guys like THAT?

They are all made by the same battery companies, usually. GNB, Yuasa Exide, etc...

Are all your filthy lies made by the same company?! :|

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Uh.. the liquid inside of a battery would be electrolyte, not water.......

We all wish batteries just ran on water... lol

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Uh.. the liquid inside of a battery would be electrolyte, not water.......

We all wish batteries just ran on water... lol

the sulfuric acid is dilluted with distilled water.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Uh.. the liquid inside of a battery would be electrolyte, not water.......

We all wish batteries just ran on water... lol

the sulfuric acid is dilluted with distilled water.

Is all your sulfruic acid made by the same company?!??? :|

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Uh.. the liquid inside of a battery would be electrolyte, not water.......

We all wish batteries just ran on water... lol

Uh, yes it's electrolyte but if the meter shows red (or whatever color showing it's low) you can refill it with distilled water. Basic Mechanics 101 son

 

[RU482]

I used to work in the building where the first sealed lead acid automotive battery was developed

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: redly1
I used to work in the building where the first sealed lead acid automotive battery was developed

Can I get your autograph?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: amdskip
Make sure the water is full in it. Only use distilled water to refill it.

Uh.. the liquid inside of a battery would be electrolyte, not water.......

We all wish batteries just ran on water... lol

the sulfuric acid is dilluted with distilled water.

Yes, I know... but I wasn't aware that you can just fill it with distilled water. Isn't that going to dilute it out and give the battery less capacity? ie: A ghetto fix?

Whenever I've seen batteries refilled at an actual service center, they used a sulphuric acid mixture.. heh

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Batteries are designed to last about as long as the warrenty. I've gotten longer life from them, but not usually.

Amen, brother. It's a well-known Law of Car Batteries: your battery will crap out on you the day after the warranty expires.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.flex.com/~kalepa/technotes.htm

 

[ShotgunSteven]

The NAPA "Legend" *COUGH*BULLSH!T*COUGH* was supposed to be a kick-arse car battery. I went through two or three of them in four years.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
The NAPA "Legend" *COUGH*BULLSH!T*COUGH* was supposed to be a kick-arse car battery. I went through two or three of them in four years.

But you live in Alaska. That's going to kill any battery right quick.

Surely they have some extra heavy duty batteries for you people up there?

 

[jonMEGA]

That green eye on the battery is know to LIE. Trust me.

Best bet is to take the battery to a autoparts store, AutoZone, PepBoys, etc and have them put it on a machine that test the battery.