My battery died without any warning. I was on my way to work and then suddenly all the lights and gauges in the dashboard started blinking and flashing. After maybe 3 seconds, the computer shut down the car. So, I jumped start my car and drove maybe a block and the computer shut down the car again. So, I kept on jumping start the car and made it home.

Once I got home, I took out the battery and took out the covers but there was no water in the battery in 3 of the 6 cells.

So, just how often do I need to check and fill the cells with water?

 

Never, it should be a maintainance-free battery.

Go to the dealer for a replacement, if you're still under warranty.

 

better yet... upgrade to optima or another better quality battery.

 

check ur alternator too. if your car can't stay on after being jumped. your alternator is not operating. the batter is only meant to start your car, once car has started, the alternator keeps it running.

 

my battery needs to be checked soon, i failed to start 3 times in the last 5 months. Once stupidly cause of cold weather and radio on for 15 mins, 2 other times in warm regular weather for no reason.

spent 50 bucks on a jump starter batttery JIC

 

The mechanic said that the battery needed to be checked (and refilled the water as needed) every 2 years.

And he said that if the battery dropped below 9v, the computer would switch to safe mode and shut down the car.

He was probably BSing me.

Anyway...

One dealer wanted $120 for the battery
Another one wanted $90
Costco wanted $60 but out of stock
Sears wanted $80 and they have it.

So Diehard it was!

After I changed the battery, all the the VSA/Brake/ lights were still on. But as soon as I started driving for a while, those lights turned off.

So... I am good to go now.


P.S. The one from Costco looks *exactly* like the one from Acura. They are made by the same people?

I don't want to spend too much on my car now. I have 135k+ miles.

 

i would have shelled out another 100 for the optima battery, your car can start faster.

its old that the car wont stay on if your battery is dead. if i were you, you should take your car to kragen / auto zone / pep boys for them to test your alternator

 

Preventative maintenance is the key. The longer you run on a weak battery, the sooner you also have to replace your alternator. I would also get your alternator tested. It's free.

 

The battery is supposed to be maintenance free. However, you should inspect it every once in a while, look at the battery indicator. The indicator should have told you long ago that your battery needed servicing at which point you could have gone to the dealer to get it tested.

 

My battery died without warning on my 60K 2004 TSX too, i was able to make it home without any problem after jumped start. Never check water level.

Pick up a 51R battery from Walmart for around $57 with two years free replacement. Because of this, i replaced my 2005 Mazad3 battery (made by Panasonic as well) from Costco for $53 (TSX one costs about the same) with three years free replacement. Walmart wants $73 for the Max with three years free replacement.

Costco has the best price with 3 years free replacement if you need one. I suggest you get one if you never check water. This is no point to spend more.

 

Optima Yellow Top FTW!

 

There is no battery indicator on the battery. This is my 3rd battery already. I guess I have to do the old way to take out the cover and check the water inside.

 

If you look on the side of the oem battery, there's a level indicator. It's hard to see the actual level without shining a flashlight against the battery case.

 

My 05 OEM batt indicator still shows 'blue'. which surprises me.

 

I knew that i have to check the water since day one but i refuse to do it. I am not going to open the battery as it might explodes or causes acid burn. I heard stories like that.

What is the point of take out the battery yearly, carefully open, pour some water, put it back and pray it will not die on me in the middle of nowhere.

Just replace the battery every 3 to 4 years for around $55, peace of mind. After this incident, i am going to treat battery just like tire.

 

My dead OEM battery still shows blue before i replaced it. My car just won't start on a rest area after i have been driving one hour and stopped for restroom. It is better safe than sorry. Btw, the replacement has 520 CA vs 410 CA on OEM.

 

Mine still showed blue when I last took my car in for service. The dealer ran a battery test and told me the battery was weak and offered to replace it for $120. I chose to do it myself with the 51R battery from Costco.

 

So... in addition to adding water, I need to do a yearly load test to make sure the battery is ok...