2004 4Runner still on OEM Panasonic battery

J

Jed

Banned
As the title says, my '04 is still going strong on the original Panasonic battery. Even after a summer of record heat here in NY, the battery shows no signs of dying. I did a 15-second load test on it yesterday and the needle didn't even budge!!

How long can we expect these batteries to last? Anyone else on the OEM battery after seven years?
 
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Still on my factory battery too. 2004 w/ 105k miles. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea for me to get it tested now that you mention it.
 
Jed said:
How long can we expect these batteries to last? Anyone else on the OEM battery after seven years?
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Got an 04 built in Dec 03, with 75K. Battery still going strong. This vehicle has been in the AZ desert most of it's life. Had to refill the battery with distilled water as it was getting low. Even though the batteries are supposedly maintenance free, check your battery levels. Haven't had the battery tested; but it seems to be ok.
 
I have an 04 wth 60k miles and I'm still on the original battery. I'll probably replace it before this winter for peace of mind, but its still going strong.
 
My 04 80k miles, still has the original too.
Still seems to be strong, I think maybe next year think about getting a new one just to be safe.
 
So there are six of us so far with '04 4Runners still on the original battery. I guess there's nothing "special" about my battery! LOL.

Wow, I'm impressed. Most batteries seem to last 3 or 4 years on my other cars.
 
Have an '06 with 76k, still have the stock battery and it has spend most of its life in Alabama humidity and heat and probably 20k or so out in Colorado in the dead of winter.
 
Yeah, Matsushita-Panasonic are good batteries. Mine lasted 6 yrs.

Q: When its "maintenace free" battery..Is it really that we just install it, and wait for it to die? LOL!

Modern batts are maintenance free. Is there something that we need to do like adding water, acid or check the electrodes so that we can predict or prolong its life?

Nothing "special" when most orig 4runner batts last upto 10 yrs. What I don't like is when mine died in Disneyland.
 
My '03, built in 11/02, with just under 92k is still running on the original oem battery. No indication of any problems so far, but I expect to replace it this fall before the winter hits.
 
My '04 w/35K miles has the original Panasonic Battery.
Since my 4Runner sits for periods of time not being used, I put a Battery Tender on it.

The other week after 13+ years the replacement VW Battery in one of my VDubs packed it in.
No doubt an internal failure in the battery as it reads ~ 8 volts without a load on it.

BTW, a while back I opened up the "Maintenance Free" Panasonic battery in my 4Runner.
Sure glad I did as it was LOW on water (ie the plates were VERY CLOSE to being exposed).
Filled it up with distilled water. Found the same situation with a few of the "Maintenance Free" VW batteries as well at various times.
Really have to wonder if these batteries would still be in service today had I not put water in them.
 
I wonder if it's possible to buy the same Panasonic battery when it needs replacing? I know the dealership will just want to sell you their Toyota branded battery, but I really liked that Panasonic one...
 
kylebacc said:
I wonder if it's possible to buy the same Panasonic battery when it needs replacing? I know the dealership will just want to sell you their Toyota branded battery, but I really liked that Panasonic one...
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I remember reading awhile back on here that the panasonic is only available in japan.

What about new batteries, I"m thinking getting a sears die hard? Any others that people really recommend?
 
Funny I should see this thread.
My OEM battery killed over with NO warning about a week ago.
I was 2 hours away from home working. Started great all day, no sign of dying. When I came out of subway, inside walmart, It was dead! Just clicked!
Two good things, one, I was at wal mart, tow I had my volt tester and confirmed it only had 10 volts.
15 mins later I'm on my way home w/ a three year free replacement battery. May not be the best quality, but should last long enough that I'll forget where I bought it!
I have just shy of 122k miles on an 05' Sport V8.
 
simple said:
I remember reading awhile back on here that the panasonic is only available in japan.

What about new batteries, I"m thinking getting a sears die hard? Any others that people really recommend?
Click to expand...

I gave up on Sears and their Die Hards, I now go to Auto Zone for a better battery IMHO. And lots better service.
 
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There are many good batteries. And quality nowadays improves in every brand. We just have to be careful when choosing atleast close to the specs of the original..what attracts the buyer is the CCA, it should be balance with the reserve capacity so it will last longer. A mid priced batt may outlast the life of an expensive brand if wrongly choosed..like the buyer is just attracted to the CCA rating.

I have True Start. If I remember, Toyota told me that 1-2 years -replacement at no cost if it malfunction. 3-4 yrs 50%, and I think 7 yrs, they will still reimburse me 25 percent of the current price. They will also give you maybe $15 for your core if you turn over to them your old batt. So IMO $90+ out the door at Toyota..read the warranty first and their pro-rated reimbursement policy...not bad...
LOL! I know many will go for Optima...I'll just paint mine yellow or red to make it look fancy! J/K.
 
I have heard of numerous people over on MUD that have gotten 8+ years out of it.

Its a beast of a battery, too bad we cant import it from Japan.
 
simple said:
I remember reading awhile back on here that the panasonic is only available in japan.

What about new batteries, I"m thinking getting a sears die hard? Any others that people really recommend?
Click to expand...

That's unfortunate. I just liked it for some reason. I hear the die hard platinum are very good. I haven't heard anything about the regular die hards so I can't really say one way or another. Optima used to make a good battery, but lately I've seen them going downhill.

12guns said:
Funny I should see this thread.
My OEM battery killed over with NO warning about a week ago.
I was 2 hours away from home working. Started great all day, no sign of dying. When I came out of subway, inside walmart, It was dead! Just clicked!
Two good things, one, I was at wal mart, tow I had my volt tester and confirmed it only had 10 volts.
15 mins later I'm on my way home w/ a three year free replacement battery. May not be the best quality, but should last long enough that I'll forget where I bought it!
I have just shy of 122k miles on an 05' Sport V8.
Click to expand...

That's so weird. Wal-Mart battery is good, if they are the same as the ones at Sam's Club. That's where I get my batteries and they are always very good about the free replacement if and when they go dead.
 
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