How long should a 12v Car Battey last?

[Harry Bloomfield]

Some dodgy retailers may still sell them with no vat if you search around: eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281275825175

SLK, have a terrible reputation.

 

[mattylad]

Back in times of old, when flags were allowed to be flown, snowflakes were white stuff falling from the sky and Gen Z were nowt but a twinkle in Gen X eyes, we used to have turkey baster type testers, battery top up fluid etc.
It was part of the cars general maintenance to top up the battery electrolyte.

Now they are all supposedly sealed maintenance free (although it's usually just a sticker over the same top up bungs.

Would a modern battery not also benefit from the old style test and topup routine?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Would a modern battery not also benefit from the old style test and topup routine?

Part of the equation, is that charge rates/voltages are much better controlled and engines start without the lots of cranking that used to be needed, so less wear, tear, and evaporation of electrolyte occurs.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Back in times of old, when flags were allowed to be flown, snowflakes were white stuff falling from the sky and Gen Z were nowt but a twinkle in Gen X eyes, we used to have turkey baster type testers, battery top up fluid etc.
It was part of the cars general maintenance to top up the battery electrolyte.

Now they are all supposedly sealed maintenance free (although it's usually just a sticker over the same top up bungs.

Would a modern battery not also benefit from the old style test and topup routine?

You assume all batteries are the same. They're not

 

[Ron0z]

I used to own a hydrometer. I found it mildly interesting to measure each cell's specific gravity, but at the end of the day it didn't really matter. While the SG could tell the charge state, another good way was to listen to how the engine turned over as you tried to start it (spinning freely or barely getting the engine to turn over).

I also recall topping up the cells with distilled water. It was so easy to overfill, which was not a good idea. It was a routine activity, doing that. The water evaporates. On the other hand, if the battery is sealed, there will be no evaporation. Therefore, less maintenance, and I'm all for that.

 

[mattylad]

You assume all batteries are the same. They're not

NO I don't.
I asked a question, Harry answered it.

You can go bury your head.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Now they are all supposedly sealed maintenance free (although it's usually just a sticker over the same top up bungs.

I rest my case.

And he only partially covered it. Evaporation occurs via charging not through cranking.

But crack on

 

[Notch7]

As long as a politician's popularity

That up as long as a whores drawers…..

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Evaporation occurs via charging not through cranking.

Then, when it has finished cranking, the used up charge has to be put back in it, causing more evaporation.

 

[Justin Passing]

The neighbour's Ford Galaxy (I think) battery died suddenly at about 8 years from new car, and wouldn't "jump" start. Tried leaving the good car running 15mins to charge the dead battery, too. ANd that Ford's battery is not easy to change, it's tucked away..

ALso too as well, I called in a local Toyota main dealer - it's time I got what will probably be my last car.
Two one year old cars - a RAV4 PIHybrid, and a LandCruiser, both had flat batteries. I couldn't even adjust the electric seats so I could get in.
Alarming!
The RAV4 has a remarkably low top to the door aperture. Ugh. The LC was ok, but they've made them look like dump trucks.