Battery Life

[pmb]

How long does a Battery last on a Rav4. Mine is almost 4 and a half and I think it's getting sluggish on a morning (bit like its owner) Don't think it helped letting it run down over 2-3 weeks the other month when I was on holiday.

[gordonjsinclair@hotmail.com]

How long does a battery last on a Rav4. Mine is almost 4 and a half and I think it's getting sluggish on a morning (bit like its owner) Don't think it helped letting it run down over 2-3 weeks the other month when I was on holiday.

Correct and the alarm left on will run it down, 4 years is not bad!!!

[Uncle Bob]

Original equipment batteries fitted to cars are designs to last the life of the warranty, after that its down to how the owner treats the car :( . could last 3/4 years or longer at if you're a low mileage user.

Sound like your problem was just the alarm discharging the Battery over the 2-3 week period :) .

[BigBaz]

Had mine just over a week, driven everyday except yesterday, went to it this morning, and not enough power to start it, then went totally flat

Quick jump got it started again but I would have thought it wouldn't discharge so quickly. my shortest journey is a 15 mile trip and have done in excess of 350 miles this week.

Best I buy a charger and see how it goes

[Clive XT5]

Had mine just over a week, driven everyday except yesterday, went to it this morning, and not enough power to start it, then went totally flat

Quick jump got it started again but I would have thought it wouldn't discharge so quickly. my shortest journey is a 15 mile trip and have done in excess of 350 miles this week.

Best I buy a charger and see how it goes

Baz,

As you have only had the car just over a week I would take it back to the dealer and ask them to check the charging.If thats OK suggest they fit you a new Battery FOC!!!!!!!

[anchorman]

I did a bit of part time work in a Toyota dealer many years ago. The original equipment batteries are superb, you only have to lift one up to tell that it weighs far more than a regular Battery. This is because the output is determined by the number of lead plates inside amongst other things. Note; this was when all the cars and the parts were made in Japan so I don't know how ex-Japanese batteries compare!

The only time Toyota batteries used to give problems was either when the car was backed off the transporter (a manufacturing problem) or if it got smashed in an accident. Kingo should be able to tell us if this still applies.

Batteries need a certain amount of care especially if they are not in regular use. If left partly discharged for a period of time the coating of the lead plates degrade and they are less able to attract charged electrons. It is the biggest enemy apart from being left to run dry. If the Battery is discharged (in the case of Baz's vehicle while parked on a forecourt) then it needs to be trickle charged for at least 12 hours off the vehicle. It should then be drop tested (no not dropped!!!) with a high voltage discharge meter to ensure that the cells are healthy and the Battery can hold it's output. If not the damage has been done and you will need a new one. Because of the way the way the alternator works, it will not sufficiently re-charge a discharged battery unless it was discharged for instance by cranking the starter. No doubt Toyota batteries are expensive but if you can be sure they were made in Japan that is worth a premium.

The moral of the story is that if you are storing your vehicle or it is very low use then you should tricle charge and trickle discharge to keep it healthy. It needs to cycle though these states and if you go to somewhere like a bus (or train!) garage that stock a large number of batteries you will find a room that is dedicated to the maintenance of them.

Bob is right. Typically batteries have a life expectancy that will take it somewhere out of warranty but a good quality battery that is in regular use will last many years.

Cheers

[BigBaz]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new Battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the Battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

[anchorman]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

No. You must disconnect the earth (negative) terminal or you risk damaging the alternator.

Remember that if you have Tracking device to phone them first or the cops will be around and to have the remote ready when you re-connect it as the alarm may go off.

Other than that set the charger at it's lowest setting if it is adjustable and leave it overnight or as near to 12 hours as possible.

Cheers

[BigBaz]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

No. You must disconnect the earth (negative) terminal or you risk damaging the alternator.

Remember that if you have Tracking device to phone them first or the cops will be around and to have the remote ready when you re-connect it as the alarm may go off.

Other than that set the charger at it's lowest setting if it is adjustable and leave it overnight or as near to 12 hours as possible.

Cheers

Thanks Anchorman

[BigBaz]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

No. You must disconnect the earth (negative) terminal or you risk damaging the alternator.

Remember that if you have Tracking device to phone them first or the cops will be around and to have the remote ready when you re-connect it as the alarm may go off.

Other than that set the charger at it's lowest setting if it is adjustable and leave it overnight or as near to 12 hours as possible.

Cheers

Thanks Anchorman

Sorry for sounding a bit dumb here...........

Can I charge the Battery with the positive terminal connected but the negative disconnected ?

I went to take the Battery out so could check water levels and as soon as I undid the positive terminal something started beeping so I panicked and connected it all back again lol

Hmmmmmmm in addition, as soon as I disconnect the negative terminal the alarm goes off and wont reset until I connect the terminal back up, seems a bit of a catch 22 situation here...

[Parts-King]

All the Jap batteries from years ago were outstanding, it was not unusual to have batteries 10 years old and more, still going strong! However when we moved to more European manufacturing, Toyota sourced all sorts of parts, inc batteries, from Europe. These batteries were never as good as the original Jap variety, but are capable of lasting 5 or 6 years. The aftermarket batteries supplied by todays dealer network are VERY COMPETITIVLY priced, and you should not need to look around too much, a petrol RAV Battery £39 INC and a Diesel £60, there are a few varients, as always, a chassis number is handy for quotations. Check with your dealer on what we term "competitive" parts, as Toyota are now very keen with their pricing policy. Kingo

[anchorman]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

No. You must disconnect the earth (negative) terminal or you risk damaging the alternator.

Remember that if you have Tracking device to phone them first or the cops will be around and to have the remote ready when you re-connect it as the alarm may go off.

Other than that set the charger at it's lowest setting if it is adjustable and leave it overnight or as near to 12 hours as possible.

Cheers

Thanks Anchorman

Sorry for sounding a bit dumb here...........

Can I charge the Battery with the positive terminal connected but the negative disconnected ?

I went to take the Battery out so could check water levels and as soon as I undid the positive terminal something started beeping so I panicked and connected it all back again lol

Hmmmmmmm in addition, as soon as I disconnect the negative terminal the alarm goes off and wont reset until I connect the terminal back up, seems a bit of a catch 22 situation here...

Baz

You are not dumb if you haven't done it before, you are wise to check.

You can leave the Battery positive terminal connected because you have broken the circuit by disconnecting the negative.

Ignore the beeping - it scared me the first time I heard it but have the remote handy for when you re-connect the battery as that is when the alarm may sound. It will not go off with the battery disconnected.

You can sometimes see into the cells to check the fluid by using a small mirror. As long as the liquid covers the top of the plates that is OK. If you do need to take the battery out disconnect the negative first then the positive. When re-fitting the battery it is postive first then the negative. This reduces the chance of a spark as the battery will give off explosive gases especially after charging so no smoking either!

If you need to top up the battery be sure to use only distilled water which is dead cheap at an accessory shop or garage.

Cheers

[BigBaz]

The dealer has already confirmed I can have a new battery if I want one but in the mean time I am ok to charge the battery whilst still on the car and all connected up ?

No. You must disconnect the earth (negative) terminal or you risk damaging the alternator.

Remember that if you have Tracking device to phone them first or the cops will be around and to have the remote ready when you re-connect it as the alarm may go off.

Other than that set the charger at it's lowest setting if it is adjustable and leave it overnight or as near to 12 hours as possible.

Cheers

Thanks Anchorman

Sorry for sounding a bit dumb here...........

Can I charge the Battery with the positive terminal connected but the negative disconnected ?

I went to take the Battery out so could check water levels and as soon as I undid the positive terminal something started beeping so I panicked and connected it all back again lol

Hmmmmmmm in addition, as soon as I disconnect the negative terminal the alarm goes off and wont reset until I connect the terminal back up, seems a bit of a catch 22 situation here...

Baz

You are not dumb if you haven't done it before, you are wise to check.

You can leave the Battery positive terminal connected because you have broken the circuit by disconnecting the negative.

Ignore the beeping - it scared me the first time I heard it but have the remote handy for when you re-connect the battery as that is when the alarm may sound. It will not go off with the battery disconnected.

You can sometimes see into the cells to check the fluid by using a small mirror. As long as the liquid covers the top of the plates that is OK. If you do need to take the battery out disconnect the negative first then the positive. When re-fitting the battery it is postive first then the negative. This reduces the chance of a spark as the battery will give off explosive gases especially after charging so no smoking either!

If you need to top up the battery be sure to use only distilled water which is dead cheap at an accessory shop or garage.

Cheers

Thanks Again Anchorman