how long has your stock Panasonic battery last before it will no longer hold a charge.
i have a 99 4runner and had a starting issue today. i had to get a boost in order to start my truck. the alternator guy said it was fine and the my battery was fine. but my battery is drawing a very low voltage. (possibly the clock or somthing). ohh ya I’m also told by a buddy of mine when batteries get old they will slowly lose their charge and you will se this on the volt meter. is this true?thanx

 

Well it depends on so many things like your location, and if you have any aftermarket accessories like lights or stereo. Also do you have the 4 or 6? I have a 99 and i just replaced the panasonic a few weeks ago (with an Optima 34R) since it was on its last legs. The indicator was white with a hint of blue, and was having a noticeable starting draw.

 

well i have the 6 and about a 350watt stareo and it gets cold in the winter time here. i didn't think those indicators worked at all really. mine is still bule.

 

2 to 5 years is typical, totally depending on use (abuse/misuse...) You might even get more, I've seen some go 7 or 8 years in cars.

And those indicators do not work.

 

its over 6 years old, yours is probably toast... its been used mroe then most last...

 

I've had OEM batteries last as long as 8 years and as short as 1. Don't chance it since when it DOES go, you'll wish you HAD replaced it. The only other thing to check is your alternator. Check your battery voltage with the engine off, then start the car and turn on your A/C, lights , etc. (to load up the alternator) and check your voltage at the battery again. If the alternator is healthy, you should be reading about 13.5 volts or more at the battery.

 

I don't know what Toyota was using in 1984, but I finally retired my battery when it was 10 years old to the boat (it functioned perfectly). I used it in the boat for another 4 years. For the next 2 years, I let it sit and like an idiot I didn't use it or recharge it and it barley cranked over the boat after that. Kinda felt sad when I had to dump it. If batteries were not so toxic, I would have probably mounted it on my wall in a glass case

 

Now that you mention it, the deep cylces AND my cranking battery in my bass boat are over 10 years old (gulp).

 

I think my battery is going also because my stereo cut out a week or two ago (800watt aftermarket portion) and i cant find anything wrong with it...torn it out a few times because its pissing me off. I have been considering getting an optima so my question is what kind should i get and where is a place online i can find it cheep so i can talk a local dealer down.

 

If you have a Costco close by, you can get a 34r for $100.

 

I got my Optima 34r at Batteries Plus for $119 with a 3 year free replacement warranty. Costco did not have the 34r at the time. The truck has never started better.

 

My Panasonic lasted about 2.5 yrs. What really killed it was infrequent use once the 4Runner became my wife's car.

By infrequent, I mean 3 or so trips/week, nothing that should have affected it so severely in my opinion.

After the second trickle charge I went ahead and got a 34R.

Never better.

Curt

 

my stock battery lasted until a couple months ago. so a little over 3 years.

 

well i'm buying a 34r because my battery is oficially toast. my altentor charges while running but the damn thing will not hold a 13 volt charge.

 

my sister 98 4runner has the stock Panasonic battery it still works