I got my car pre-owned and I wonder does this looks like original Nissan battery? Probably not a good indicator but I want to figure out if its a good time to replace the battery.

 

i can't open your pic, but it's been my experience that the OEM batteries go out after 4 years like clockwork.

 

Yes, that 80D23L model is definitely the OEM battery type. Whether or not it was ever changed with another OEM battery of equal spec, I obviously can't say, but I doubt it.

BTW, I'm in norcal and my OEM battery lasted for almost exactly 7 years. If you keep up on their electrolytes, they can last quite a while.

 

I Googled the model number right on top of the battery, 80D23L, and it comes up at the original OEM battery model for our cars.

Now, whether it is indeed the original battery, or the previous owner got a new one at the dealer is hard to tell. If you want to be safe, buy a new one. Whenever i buy a used car, one the first things I buy is a new battery. It's a small price for piece of mind.

 

^^^ haha, too slow there Will.

 

How to do that? I thought current car batteries are sealed? No?

Well, I bought the car a little over 3 yrs ago and never changed the battery. I use battery tender to top it off from time to time. Otherwise I have done nothing to it. So I wonder if its about time to replace the battery. But obviously if the battery is still good, I won't want to throw away money either.

 

Hmm, ever read your Owner's Manual?

(It's right there in the maintenance section, on or about page 8-16)

Plus, you can see the individual cell caps right there in your own pic. Just unscrew them (clean around them real good first though) and fill to the indicated level with distilled water(ONLY!). Seeing as how you're in socal, you should never have need for serious cold cranking grunt, so even at a slightly diminished output, your battery can keep starting the car for a long, long time. As long as you don't leave the lights on or play the stereo with the engine off, you may find it last quite a while for you.

 

Come on! We men don't read manual, ever!

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I probably should, thanks for the tips