2004 4Runner still on OEM Panasonic battery

2003, 75,000 miles. Original battery is still good (my gf's - not mine)

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Level is almost full; never added water.
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100k with 6 NE winters and two TX summers and still going strong. Everyonce in a while it takes an extra second to start but Ill be replacing it with an optima here this summer/fall probably
 
DC Dude said:
Is there a cap that needs to be removed in order to see the indicator?
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No cap but it was VERY dirty. Covered in grime. You could even try an old toothbrush and water to clean it off. And shine a flashlight from the side when looking at the indicator or water level as the battery is translucent.
 
After 7 years and 8 months, I had my battery tested and they said it should be replaced. The truck started up fine with no issues. But after looking at the test report I thought it was time to buy a new battery.
 

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2003-4x4runner said:
After 7 years and 8 months, I had my battery tested and they said it should be replaced. The truck started up fine with no issues. But after looking at the test report I thought it was time to buy a new battery.
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Why not wait until after the summer is over and it starts to get colder?
 
I had my OEM battery tested at Autozone and they said I needed a new battery and showed me the results that verified it. this was about 2 years ago, we are still running that same battery.
 
I think I can speak for all T4R owners in that it'll be a sad day when that Panasonic battery is retired.
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+1 - still on my original which has survived 7 Canadian winters and outlived the alternator that died last winter.
 
I had a Nissan Stanza 10 years old and still ran fine with Panasonic battery. No wonder they are the major suppliers for all hybrid battery packs along with sanyo.

I even searched in ebay to see if i can see some overseas seller. But i guess with shipping and all it would be too much.

Hope mine lasts for a while.
 
The OEM 4Runner Panasonic batteries are nothing short of amazing. My 2003 has 49,000 miles and I've been expecting it to die for the past few years. It didn't and I finally replaced it prior to this winter, just for peace of mind. It's too bad that you can't buy Panasonic replacement batteries in the US, because they seem to last nearly forever.
 
04, 137k still sparkin on the original Panasonic. I will admit I did add almost a half gallon of distilled water before winter.
 
03 Sport V8 with 82k had the Panasonic battery, but failed the crank test last time at the dealer, had the new one installed. Didnt wanna risk the wife geting stranded.
 
rockwall said:
The OEM 4Runner Panasonic batteries are nothing short of amazing. My 2003 has 49,000 miles and I've been expecting it to die for the past few years. It didn't and I finally replaced it prior to this winter, just for peace of mind. It's too bad that you can't buy Panasonic replacement batteries in the US, because they seem to last nearly forever.
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Which could be why they're not sold anymore.....these companies can't make more money if sh!t lasts forever! :banana:
 
04 85k.. still factory Panasonic as well. Still strong as ever. Keep waiting for it to show any signs of dying but its good as new. Unbelievable.
 
PaulB-2006 T4R said:
My wife drives a 2003 Camry SE and it still has the original Panasonic battery. Here in MPLS the temps range from -25*F to 95*F. I had the battery tested in the early spring 2010 thinking it was time but the guy at O'Reilly was amazed, it still maintains 95% of the CCA as new!

I bought my 2006 T4R in July 2009 from a small auto broker, to try and gain some sense of comfort I made the sale contingent on passing a Toyota Dealership cerified test. Well the dealer(stealer)ship said everything was perfect with the exception of the battery, it failed the load test. They wanted to replace it and they had a replacement battery in stock (salespitch!!). I told them I'd replace the battery myself but surprise surprise I took the T4R battery to O'Reilly and they said it was perfect for a 3 year old battery.
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Just bought a 2006 Sport. Did the same thing, had a Toyota dealership inspect it before I bought it as a trade form a Ford dealersip. Toyota said same thing, failed the load test, don't know if I believe them now. Going to check levels and have Autozone or Batteries Plus re-test. 2006 with 39,000 miles. Seems to start fine!
 
One more data point: I had a 1992 Mazda Miata with a tiny Panasonic gel cell factory mounted in the trunk. You could easily hold it in one hand. I sold that car in 2004, and the battery was still ticking.

A little known quality replacement is the Deka Intimidator battery. I have one in my Corvette, and it's my battery of choice if the Panasonic in my 4Runner ever gives up the ghost.
 
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