OEM Battery - Anyone add distilled water??

I have the OEM battery, 710 CCA, in my 12 Prerunner w/ tow package. I found that the two caps can be gently pried off to check the cell fluid. The number 2 (from left) cell was a little lower than the others, but still covered the plates. Others were at various levels higher. (Dealer battery load check showed 622 CCA at 42 months of use. This is about 12 percent down but don't know if the battery would have showed full 710 brand new)
So I added distilled water to the bottom of the plastic well. Wanted to be certain the plates stay covered even on hills.
So does anyone check/add water to their battery? Some on this forum say trucks in S & SE USA go thru bats in < 3 years and could be b/c of hotter clime causing faster evaporation? Note that water adding is not encouraged by the Truck user manual nor on the battery top. Also don't know if the non-tow package OEM battery has removable caps...

 

I also have 12 Prerunner with tow package and didn't realize battery caps were removable until reading about it here on TW last year. I now check with oil changes and so far have not had to add, I live in climate with hot summers in Norcal valley.

 

I have noticed some leakage from the top of my battery probably from various offroading trips etc. Ill have to take a look at levels.

 

I Always use distilled water in my batteries.

 

Yep - keep an eye on the water level. Mine have never gotten anywhere close to dry, but I check them during maint. as mentioned above.

 

For sure it can but the the primary offender is just heat itself. At something like 95 or 100 degrees it starts to do something negative to the chemistry of the battery.

 

I use the same thing. We also use the same thing on military vehicles I worked on: hummers, 5-tons, LVS, etc...

 

It is always in excess of 100 degrees under the hood of an automobile - nothing to do with geography (excluding the winter months in Fargo - LOL)
Distilled water does not contain minerals, or chemicals ie, chlorine, fluoride, etc, which contaminate the plates in a lead acid battery causing deposits on the lead plates, which can eventually cause an internal short.

 

Sure its over 100 degrees when running. Parked outside in Texas it spends a lot more time over 100 than mine does parked in an insulated garage.

"Heat is a killer of all batteries and high temperatures cannot always be avoided. This is the case with a battery inside a laptop, a starter battery under the hood of a car and stationary batteries in a tin shelter under the hot sun. As a guideline, each 8°C (15°F) raise in temperature cuts the life of a sealed lead acid battery in half. A VRLA battery for stationary applications that will last 10 years at 25°C (77°F) would only live five years if operated at 33°C (92°F). The same battery would cease after 2½ years if kept at a constant desert temperature of 41°C (106°F). Once the battery is damaged by heat, the capacity cannot be restored."
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_heat_and_harsh_loading_reduces_battery_life

 

Didn't disagree, heat is a given in an automotive battery! The issue was replenishing the electrolyte. Perhaps you can share your expertise in that area for us.

 

That's been well covered and there isn't anything to add. I answered one of the two specific questions asked by the OP.

 

Been doing it for years without a problem.

 

The real issue is the maintenance of the battery. It is not encouraged on the markings of the battery or in the owners manual. Yet the caps do come off and if the electrolyte recedes below the top of the plates it will seriously shorten the life of the battery. [Also if off-roading with steep approach/departure angles electrolyte could exit the cap vents.] I doubt if mechanics check this any more.

In hot climates electrolyte loss could be more severe, yet when I surveyed other battery threads discussing early failure, didn't find anyone talking about adding water to replenish the electrolyte.
Simply a suggestion to check the battery and maybe it'd last longer in sever environs; and if electrolyte continues to go down, it could be bad charging system.....

WRT the heat under the hood, when in operation the fan is always turning so most engine heat is flushed to the rear past the battery. So it should only suffer until engine cools at shutdown.

 

Absolutely. Checking and filling with distilled only since 1966.

 

It's my humble opinion that an over-zealous voltage regulator will also cause electrolyte to dry up.

Summer heat a more likely issue as mentioned above.

Just sayin'...

 

Your battery is what is called a maintenance free battery and is not designed for water to be added. it wont hurt the battery to add distilled water but it will promote leakage and corrosion. I would recommend just replace it when the time comes with a A.G.M. Battery which you can not add water to but is a far better battery than the flooded cell you have now

 

I will make an assumption you are addressing the OP as you did not qualify.

If that's the case, his battery is not maintenance free. If it were, there would not be removable caps of any kind. Maintenance free batteries are sealed. You cannot add water to them.

I know many like the AGM style, but for what they cost, I can buy at least 2 Costco Interstates and in some cases - 3.

Do the longevity math.

I'll stick with the old stuff.

Do as you like.

 

The op refers to the O.E.M. battery which is a flooded cell battery with low antimony lead plates submerged in a dilute acid electrolyte. These battery's are not sealed some have removable caps some have the caps glued in place but can be removed Contrary to Common belief most of the water loss in the flooded cell battery is caused by chemical reaction { electrolysis} not evaporation. the low antimony content plates are weaker and tend to be damaged by vibration but they don't "off gas" as much and are submerged deeper so the electrolyte will generally outlast the battery.
Yes a A.G.M. costs a little more but it is more powerful less prone to damage by vibration quicker to recharge will not leak or corrode and in most cases will out last 2 of your Costco battery's. you get what you pay for welcome to the 21st century.

 

You are correct about AGM being superior when it comes to resistance to shock and vibration and about cost. But I believe you might have it backwards regarding power and longevity. I think both AGM and gel have slightly lower capacity and shorter life. Pretty much overkill for 99.9% of our trucks.

 

Works for me. Costco did away with the Kirkland knockoffs and now sells the Interstate with a flat no prorate 42 month free replacement warranty. I just bought one for my wife's Subaru for $72.99, same price of two packs of good steaks. If the stock battery in my '06 Taco ever gives it up, I'm off to Costco again.