Maintenence Free Battery?

vanib · 07-31-2012, 11:18 AM

I have a 2008 Base Rav4 which I purchased about a year ago. So I don't know if this is the original battery.

I would like to know if this is really a "Maintenance Free Battery"? Why I ask? Because it has indicators showing the state of the battery and one of them is "Add Distilled Water"! I am not worried for now because I am in the OK status.

Carbon · 07-31-2012, 11:33 AM

It's maintenance-free until it is not.

To add water, I think you have to peel off those stickers.

In my battery, I can shine a small bright light into the "eye" in the dark. That lights the electrolyte, and I can see the level more readily through the translucent case.

**JuneBug** · 07-31-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanib

I have a 2008 Base Rav4 which I purchased about a year ago. So I don't know if this is the original battery.

I would like to know if this is really a "Maintenance Free Battery"? Why I ask? Because it has indicators showing the state of the battery and one of them is "Add Distilled Water"! I am not worried for now because I am in the OK status.

Yes, that's the original Furukawa battery. They don't last very long in the V6 models, but seem OK on the 4 cylinder. Don't put too much faith in that "magic eye" indicator--it only shows the state of one cell. One of the other cells could be bad and you would never know it.

And no, it's not really a maintenance free battery. If it were, it would be totally sealed without removable caps.

vanib · 07-31-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

...

And no, it's not really a maintenance free battery. If it were, it would be totally sealed without removable caps.

Thanks, this is what I was thinking but I was a little puzzled by the "Maintenance Free" .

Scout706 · 07-31-2012, 12:15 PM

When/if you do add water, use distilled.

Andyf80 · 07-31-2012, 12:21 PM

Also, cleaning battery terminals as part of your maintenance schedule is recommended as well.

Twice a year wouldn't be overkill, but once a year is probably good. Even if the cables look good - it's good to clean them. It's one of these 'ounce of prevention' type of maintenance things.

"Maintenance Free" may be a bit mis-leading for some.

Carbon · 07-31-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyf80

"Maintenance Free" may be a bit mis-leading for some.

I think it is correct that maintenance is not required to maintain the warranty or at all for that matter, and the great majority of these batteries are simply replaced when there is any deficiency. It's nice to have the option.

RTexasF · 07-31-2012, 02:09 PM

Carbon is right......peel off both stickers that say Maintenance Free Battery and unscrew the caps with a large phillips head screwdriver. The electrolyte level will be much lower than you expect. They are easy to overfill so be aware of that. A good flashlight is essential.

Blogson · 07-31-2012, 02:49 PM

Having been the RMA person and also having worked in QA for a battery manufacturer and seller, if a battery actually is maintenance-free opening it will shorten its life since the designed internal pressure is necessary for elements in the gas and electrolyte which are produced in use to recombine with the elements in the plates. There is an internal valve which is designed to vent excess pressure, which if the battey is correctly designed, will only occur if the battery is abused, usually by sustained or high voltage/amperage overcharging. We have had several maintenance-free batteries in various vehicles which have lasted for years with no maintenance apart from keeping the llids and terminals clean. The exceptions were two Delcos in different cars, one which died prmaturely and the other developed a cracked case and leaked.

Apparently the Furukawa batteries were either badly designed or improperly manufactured since there have been many forum comments about failures and problems such as low electrolyte levels. It will be interesting to see how well and for how long the Johnson Controls batteries as in my '11 RAV function.

vanib · 07-31-2012, 03:18 PM

So if the electrolyte is low, I suppose I would still add distilled water. it's either that or I discard the battery, right?

07-31-2012, 11:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Carbon Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 6 Thanked 136 Times in 133 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's maintenance-free until it is not. To add water, I think you have to peel off those stickers. In my battery, I can shine a small bright light into the "eye" in the dark. That lights the electrolyte, and I can see the level more readily through the translucent case. __________________ 2009 V6 4wd Base

07-31-2012, 12:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scout706 Senior Member Country: Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: GA, USA Posts: 264 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	FWIW When/if you do add water, use distilled. __________________ "Don't tell me I'm in denial because I'm not!" 2008 Limited FWD V6 Pacific Blue

07-31-2012, 02:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
RTexasF Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rio Grande Valley TX Posts: 5,384 Thanks: 31 Thanked 155 Times in 143 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Carbon is right......peel off both stickers that say Maintenance Free Battery and unscrew the caps with a large phillips head screwdriver. The electrolyte level will be much lower than you expect. They are easy to overfill so be aware of that. A good flashlight is essential. __________________ Old Bird......sometimes wise 2008 Base V-6 front wheel drive 2008 Limited V-6 front wheel drive Both with Tow Prep Package

07-31-2012, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Blogson Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oregon coast Posts: 2,072 Thanks: 13 Thanked 99 Times in 99 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Having been the RMA person and also having worked in QA for a battery manufacturer and seller, if a battery actually is maintenance-free opening it will shorten its life since the designed internal pressure is necessary for elements in the gas and electrolyte which are produced in use to recombine with the elements in the plates. There is an internal valve which is designed to vent excess pressure, which if the battey is correctly designed, will only occur if the battery is abused, usually by sustained or high voltage/amperage overcharging. We have had several maintenance-free batteries in various vehicles which have lasted for years with no maintenance apart from keeping the llids and terminals clean. The exceptions were two Delcos in different cars, one which died prmaturely and the other developed a cracked case and leaked. Apparently the Furukawa batteries were either badly designed or improperly manufactured since there have been many forum comments about failures and problems such as low electrolyte levels. It will be interesting to see how well and for how long the Johnson Controls batteries as in my '11 RAV function. __________________ Jim 2011 Upgraded Base V6 4WD 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT 2002 Craftsman LT1000 V2 Jesus is Lord

07-31-2012, 03:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
vanib Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 2,965 Thanks: 68 Thanked 169 Times in 156 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So if the electrolyte is low, I suppose I would still add distilled water. it's either that or I discard the battery, right? __________________ 2008 Base Rav4, 4 Cylinder, 4WD My upgrades Allen Spare tire Bike Rack Currently listening to "Crimson Glory - Astronomica"

07-31-2012, 12:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Andyf80 Member Country: Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 50 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, cleaning battery terminals as part of your maintenance schedule is recommended as well. Twice a year wouldn't be overkill, but once a year is probably good. Even if the cables look good - it's good to clean them. It's one of these 'ounce of prevention' type of maintenance things. "Maintenance Free" may be a bit mis-leading for some.

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