What would you do? (battery question)

[etom]

I am still on my original Panasonic battery and it's coming up on 7 years now. The other day, the viewing eye showed that I needed to add distilled water which I did today even though it's a maintenance free and now shows that it is "OK" (blue outer ring and red inner). Other than that it seems to be still going strong. Thing is, is that I'm going to be driving about 500 miles away for a vacation and leaving the T4R parked for about a week straight with the alarm on and am worried that it will be dead when I go to start it up. Would it be best to just change it out beforehand?

 

[Acidmeld]

At 7 years I would definitely look into a new one. You must have been pretty nice to the oem to make it go strong this long.

 

[etom]

Actually living in the San Francisco I make a lot of short trips. I'm shocked at how long it has lasted. I don't want to change it out prematurely, but then again I don't want to be stuck after having not drove it for over a week. I'm looking at probably getting a DieHard. Anyone know which of these I should get?

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Thanks!

 

[fourwd1]

That OEM Panasonic battery should last at least 10 years if you treat it properly.
The one in my old Maxima lasted 14 yrs before I killed it by leave a door open while it was in the garage over the weekend. The interior lights drained it beyond recovery.
And unless you are going to pay $400 or more for an new OEM one from the dealer, anything else you're buying is remanufactured.

 

[Loyal Toyota]

I concur with "fourwd1." My OEM Panasonic made it 10 years before it got so weak in the winter that it wouldn't start my truck anymore. It had been weakening for the past year and I just kept waiting on it.

If it is going strong, I'd say you're fine. They don't sell OEM Panasonics at the dealership. It only came from the factory.

 

[morphius909]

Costco it if you do need a new battery. Can't beat the performance, price and exchange policy!