Maintenance Free Batteries

[Raize]

I'd like to hear some opinions from you Pistonheaders on the relative merits of 12V car batteries that require maintenance (top up the electrolyte kinda thing), and sealed batteries. What are the benefits and disadvantages of each type?

TY

[Raize]

Noone can give me advice on this?

[Raize]

Guys help how do I battery?

[TheBurgerKing]

Sealed maintenance free is pretty much the standard nowadays, batteries that require topping up are old technology now.

[redstu]

If you intend keeping the car spend more on a battery. If not spend less. Eurocarparts often do what seem like good deals.

[4key]

I havent seen an old style battery for about 10 years, even sheds of old vans havent got them left anymore. Where have you found one?

[Justin S]

You can still top up maintenance free so called batteries. Have done with all of mine with distilled water. Some of the cells have been low on water.

[BFG TERRANO]

redstu said:

If you intend keeping the car spend more on a battery. If not spend less. Eurocarparts often do what seem like good deals.

Just bought one from eurocarparts. Best price I could find, delivered in 2 days and 4 year warranty.

[MJK 24]

redstu said:

If you intend keeping the car spend more on a battery. If not spend less. Eurocarparts often do what seem like good deals.

I always think if you use your car 365 days a year and do a decent daily mileage, a cheaper battery will be fine. If (like me) your car use can be sporadic and journeys can be short, it's well worth spending a bit more.

I often work away during the week. Typically do a sub 3 mile journey in the early hours of Monday morning and this time of year, lights, heater, wipers, HRW on then the car gets stood until Friday evening or even Saturday morning. Even a couple of winters ago where night time temperatures were as low as -12 where I live, come that Friday evening it started first turn of the key. Near 30 year old car too. I think a couple of weeks of that treatment would be too much to ask of a cheap battery but I've never been down. My Scirocco and Elise have Varta blue batteries and the Touareg is going strong on a near 9 year old factory battery.