What car battery do you use?

[07liftback]

I'm still on my stock Toyota battery. It felt a bit weaker last year so I popped open each tab to access the cells and topped it off with some distilled water, put the tabs back on, shook it up, and put it on a slow charger for a few days. Seems to be running stronger so far but then again I live in an area where the weather doesn't get too extreme.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

The OEM battery in my 2007 Yaris lasted about 138,000 miles and from 10/7/06 to 9/12(?)/09 (just under 3 years).

Is the normal "life" of the original battery? I am used to original batteries lasting 5~7 years. The "mini-battery" (smaller than normal but a little bigger than a motorcycle battery) in my Miata lasted about 7 years and 160,000 miles. I've noticed that my car is taking longer to start and it turns over more slowly, lately (3.5 years and 110,000 miles)...

Originally Posted by 07liftback

I'm still on my stock Toyota battery. It felt a bit weaker last year so I popped open each tab to access the cells and topped it off with some distilled water, put the tabs back on, shook it up, and put it on a slow charger for a few days. Seems to be running stronger so far but then again I live in an area where the weather doesn't get too extreme.

I wonder if this will help; I should check my electrolyte levels, I guess... Or should I just get a new battery...

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

Is the normal "life" of the original battery? I am used to original batteries lasting 5~7 years. The "mini-battery" (smaller than normal but a little bigger than a motorcycle battery) in my Miata lasted about 7 years and 160,000 miles. I've noticed that my car is taking longer to start and it turns over more slowly, lately (3.5 years and 110,000 miles)...

The 'rule of thumb' that I've come to know here in SE Texas (among car owners and auto industry people) is that the 'can be brutal' summer heat here shortens the life of the batteries in passenger vehicles. On a similar thread I wondered if this was an 'old wive's tale' 'local legend', etc. or if someone had information re this being true. It is true. CTScott replied, briefly explaining the effects both extreme heat and extreme cold have on a battery and at what temperatures the effects could be expected. Sorry I can't remember more info that might make that easier to find.