Battery maintenance

[Swenny]

So I've never had non-sealed battery. Haven't done anything to it either until it's been having trouble holding a charge recently. I turned the key to the On position, left it for about 2 minutes, and that was enough to drain it. So I pulled it out and filled it up a bit with distilled water and got it to the top level. Battery is 5 years old. When you guys replaced yours did you opt for a non-sealed one again or go with something else?

 

[kw_da]

Battery is 5 years old. When you guys replaced yours did you opt for a non-sealed one again or go with something else?

wow, you got 5 years out of your battery - it's probably time for a replacement. I only get about 3-4 years - but the warm weather is hard on batteries. I used the non-sealed ones from Costco. There are several other battery threads on this forum.

 

[Silentnoise713]

If it is really giving you problems, it's time for a new one. I'm still my original '08 battery and it gave me problems this winter during deep freeze/bone chilling days. Now that it is above freezing, it starts up fine again . I'll buy whatever that's cheapest and biggest that fits but somewhat respectable/reliable, which all signs point to Costco at the moment (unless membership expires).

Here are some other suggestions from folks.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123837467-Battery-suggestions

 

[MarkVII88]

I got 4 years out of the original Panasonic battery in our 08 Mazda5 before replacing it with a Costco unit. Prior to that, I got about 8 years out of the original battery in our 04 Corolla. Actually, the only reason I replaced the Corolla's battery was because I wasn't going to try and sell the car with an 8 year old battery. I gather that 4-5 years is fairly typical, so that means 8 years is exceptional.

 

[thaxman]

Well, considering that raising the power windows will dim the headlights on a Mazda5, I think a battery lasting 5 years is amazing. The whole electrical system is undersized for demand.

 

[flcruising]

Autocraft Gold from Advance Auto - $120

Our '08 showed no sign of the battery going out last month, then one day it won't even try to crank. The day before my wife turned the key and there was no response, turned it off then back on and cranked normally. The next day it stranded her at the kid's school. Every other vehicle I've owned has shown signs like slow cranking, but not this thing, just dead. I had topped off with distilled water about 3 years prior, but no other maintenance.

 

[MarkVII88]

Your wife's experience is the perfect example of why it's not a bad idea to have a portable jump-starter on-hand.

Autocraft Gold from Advance Auto - $120

Our '08 showed no sign of the battery going out last month, then one day it won't even try to crank. The day before my wife turned the key and there was no response, turned it off then back on and cranked normally. The next day it stranded her at the kid's school. Every other vehicle I've owned has shown signs like slow cranking, but not this thing, just dead. I had topped off with distilled water about 3 years prior, but no other maintenance.

 

[flcruising]

I agree, except for the fact that since the behavior was not indicative of the battery I was prepared to have to replace the starter or something. My nifty bluetooth OBD2 scan tool certainly came in handy . Though a jump-starter would be good to have for future events, that was not one that would have prompted me to have her do anything.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Autocraft Gold from Advance Auto - $120

Our '08 showed no sign of the battery going out last month, then one day it won't even try to crank. The day before my wife turned the key and there was no response, turned it off then back on and cranked normally. The next day it stranded her at the kid's school. Every other vehicle I've owned has shown signs like slow cranking, but not this thing, just dead. I had topped off with distilled water about 3 years prior, but no other maintenance.

Great. You just convinced me to change out my battery now instead of waiting… Guess I have to make a Costco trip this weekend and will try to shove in the biggest battery (Group 34 or 78) I can get my hands on.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Well, I didn't listen and did not get a battery this past weekend. On Monday, it died on me.

Good news. Group 34 fits (minor mod to bracket)