Well, just had my 45k service (at 45,500 miles...argh, those last 500 miles were painful). Mechanic told me that my battery (stock) failed the load test. He said my stock battery was only 360CCA, and that was unusually low for a V6 engine. The Altima comes with a 545CCA stock battery! Strange huh? I guess since the Maxima is built in Japan, they use different batteries there.

So I called around today for a new battery. I only wanted a good battery, not a super one since I don't blast my stereo with the car off very often. Optima was too expensive ($130 just to start a car?). Sears did not make a Diehard which fits a Maxima. So I ended getting...gag...one of those Nascar Exide batteries. I know they don't have the best rep, but the ones in my dad's Camry and GMC Van has lastest for the past six years without a problem, so I guess they aren't that bad.

What a difference. Installing the battery took like five minutes (it was so easy) using only a 10mm socket. Car fired up like a dream. I was "shocked" in fact how quickly the car started. Ok, so that was a bad pun.

BTW, the stock battery was made by Hitachi.

 

I had the oil and coolant change and was told the same thing. Maybe that's why my rpms dip by 100 rpm when the defrost goes on??

I just think though it's a bit frustrating that they don't tell you it failed when the car's got under 36K, because seriously how much has changed in 5K?

Anything not straightforward about changing it? I know, how hard can a battery be? On my last car I paid $130 for a remanuf. alternator and junked the car only 3 months later. But I got under it and took the piece out--man, needed 2 19mm wrenches to hold both sides of the bolts. Then, I cut the belts and the lead going to it, and wouldn't you know the darn thing wouldn't fit between the suspension and the bottom of the crankcase!! Had to tilt it upwards...

 

No, installing the battery is so easy. All you gotta do is unscrew and remove the (-) terminal first, then the (+) terminal. Then unscrew and remove the battery holder (two bolts). Remove the plastic box that goes over the stock battery, and viola...you got the old battery out. Reinstallation is the opposite of that.

Oh, 4th gen Maximas use Group Size 35 batteries. So, even if a store says they don't have a battery for a Maxima, as long as they have a size 35, it will fit just fine.

Good luck. You'll feel so proud of yourself when you change your own battery. It's kind of silly, but I felt that way.

 

I always let the store do it for me, just to save the trip of taking the old one back...

Buyer beware, though.... last battery I bought, I was chit-chatting with the guy at the auto parts store (they almost all install for free), and he forgot to tighten the clamp... Luckily, I was kinda keeping an eye on him

 

Heh, I had almost an identical experience... my battery died on game day one weekend this football season. I live about 1000 feet from the stadium at UF, so it was insane. To make a long story short, the only place that was open on game day was Don Olson's Tire and Auto (Good Ol' Boys place). All they had in stock were Exide batteries, but it actually works really well, other than the stock car on the cover .

 

I have 97 GLE with winter convenience package ( better battery??) and few months ago I noticed that battery was week. I looked it over and noticed that it has 6 plugs on the top - that means it is serviceable battery. I unscrewed a couple of plugs and looked inside of the battery and it was low on acid. I had to go through 3 auto parts stores and finally got a gallon of distilled water for 99c - nobody cares this stuff anymore. After I brought acid back to level and drove my car for a couple of days it feels good again. It's been pretty cold in Ohio but I had not have problem starting.

 

Changing my battery was very simple. I purchased a Die Hard Gold Group 35 from Sears 1/00 for $96. I wonder why Sears told Eric l they didn't have a battery for the MAX

 

Went to Wal-Mart hoping to score a $28 battery, nope. Screen said get it from the mfg. Only joking I'd pay $80 but even $96 seems steep. Strange that so many 97 owners already needed replacement. You'd think they would have equipped it better. I've added water twice on mine. Whatever the cost I'm gonna try to replace it soon.

 

Yeah I didn't know it was size 35 at the time I called Sears. I just asked them if they had a battery which fits a 97 Maxima and the guy said his computer said "special application" which meant you gotta go get it somewhere else. I think other Sears might have had group 35 size batteries, but the one I called was just out. The dude probably told me no other sears carries batteries for Maximas just so they don't lose business to another Sears.

Besides, there is only one Sears near where I live, and it's not worth it to drive 25 miles to the next closest one when Kragen is just a few blocks from my house.