May I know those MAINTENANCE FREE Car Battery (no need to add battery water) usually last for how long ?
3 years ?

Friends told me these Maintenance Free Battery can last longer than those needed water types. Is this true ?
Last time I using those with Water last about 2 years.

Can Maintenance Free Car Battery last for 3 years ?

No such thing as far as i know. The only difference is you don't have to add battery water, that's all.....

Basically maintenence free n non-maintenence free batteries carry 1yr warranty. Only diff is 1 needs regular distilled water checking n topup.

So far I've heard feedback tat maintenence free lasts an average of 2-3 yrs. Myself hv been using normal type of battery all d while n average lifespan is 4-5yrs.

Wow, u can tahan for 4-5 years ? that's longest i heard.... Do u drive everyday or seldom drive ?

avg 2-3 years for MF

I'd say battery location plays a big part too since heat reduces the battery lifespan.

My car has the battery in the engine bay, my last MF lasted for 2-3 years.

My dad's car has it in the boot of the car, he's been using his for 4-5 years and still going.

Daily drive, no high power sucking components, check once in 2 wk n topup when necessary

i gave up on maintenance free batteries...really regret wasting my money on them...tried few different brands..not just any brands..but reputable brands...all oso hopeless coz all my maintenance free batteries die in about a year of usage....

previously i was running on a wet cell battery and it lasted 4 years with minimal checks and maintenance. n when i say minimal i mean mebbe 2-3 times only in that 4 years. and thats only to make sure the water level is ok and it was...never even top up in that 4 years. when i changed oso it was actually still ok...just gatal wanna use maintenance free so i changed.

worst part is that the maintenance free shows no signs of dying. itll just die. just like that. the indicators on the battery itself is useless.. and when it dies...jump starting is practically impossible no matter wat grade cable u use. everytime oso had to put another battery in to start the car

im sticking to wet cell from now....theyre cheaper. not really much to maintain... and supposedly has better, more stable power delivery compared to maintenance free batteries.

ive had a wet cell for about a year plus now and its still perfect. havent checked on it since the day i bought it.


as for electronics...i have an immobilizer, player, 2 amps pushing 4x6.5" speakers and 1x12" sub. never had any issue with the wet cell battery.

wow, i didn't know MF battery is that bad. now u said i only know.
I'm might considering back to wet type battery next time.
Thanks.

my regular battery lasts for roughly 4 yrs as well..but i top up roughly every 3-4 months..currently on MF for a year no probs..

i agree with madman, was using wet cell batteries, it just run flat few days ago after serving me for 3years+...btw,no sign of weak batteries for wet cell type too,it'll just run flat straight away....i'll stick to wet cell due to it's cheaper and more durable

it's also depend on what car.. bigger cc required higher load of batt when start-up.. eg my car wira 1.6 use FM batt 2 years n that's it, but when test on my friend's car wira 1.3 easily start..
n also, the higher compression engine also affect it..

me also got same experience with madman (i even use branded one which cost almost rm300) now using normal one, just regularly check that water level..
n the FM n non-FM batt both are wet cell (coz i can hear a water sound when shaking it) only it seal shut.. if dry cell maybe like AAA batt.. hehe (correct me if i wrong here)

Free maintenance battery only recommended for 1 years plus (driving everyday). For those who want to use till few years better avoid cos you don't want lose battery power in the morning when you want go to work. Alternative keep a jumper when you need it.

My previous battery lasted for almost 4 years, drove my car almost everyday. Just changed it couple of months ago when it gave me one second silence during cranking the engine in the morning, so it's the sign that you should never deny. On the evening, I changed it straight away.

I saw some sellers are selling some kind of 'battery life indicator' that to be put in the engine day, don't know how accurate it is.

My car is 1.5CC, just an aftermarket HU, and the previous battery serves me well. Even though it's a maintenance free battery, monitor the behaviour. I personally count how many cranks that it takes to start my car everyday.

For my brother, he's using wet battery, the one that requires owner to topup the water on periodical basis. His reason is, "I want to know what is going on in my battery".

So, my conclusion is, it's very subjective to judge about maintenance free battery and regular battery.

actualy we can detect if the battery in weak condition or not...

like example... when u switch on head lamp.. check the instrument indicator...
if light from indicator become dull.. it a sign ur battery are weak...
and after recharging and few days later become dull again... mean ur battery will flat soon..

so show the money...

My wet cell battery just died last week after a faithful 5 years of serving Switched to GShine MF type. Hope it don't dissapoint.

my enerlite died after 2 year usage. Seriosuly better go for water batteriy for longer usage.

Water battery last longer then MF.

MF is just for auntie or people who are too lazy.

MF battery inside also got water, just the top sealed so to let the auntie know that NO NEED MAINTAINANCE (until u cannot start, then buy new one).

You can make your own MF battery also, just buy a wet cell battery (cheaper) and seal off the top. When it died, just open the top, refill water, and re-charge it. If u lucky, still can use another year or two.

Is there any MF battery that is not entirely in a black case (which u cannot see inside?) how come they make all MF in a black casing ? Its for you to ponder, auntie.....

Well in some cases; like mine (dry cell). My battery is exactly 3 years and 4 months old and still in good running condition. It boils down to how heavy you use your vehicle's electrical appliance i.e. head lights, fog lamp, aircon and other ICE equipments.

This post has been edited by dub.helix: Oct 27 2009, 04:26 PM

mind to share about the performance for both type of battery?