I am usually really good about checking all fluids every month but for some reason I've been forgetting to check the stock battery.
I last filled it the 2nd week of June. I checked it today and had to add nearly 1 liter of water to it. Oops!
If you haven't checked yours in a while you may want to run outside and see how low it is...

 

Good reminder.

Better yet, get yourself a maintenance free, Optima sealed battery and never have to remember to check on it again

 

Seriously. The red top was worth every penny.

 

Yeah, I hate checking batteries, come to think of it, I should check mine... should the battery fluid level read "MAX" all the time? (think mine's at "MIN" right now, though it's been a few weeks since I checked )

 

You mean we're suppose to check the battery? Yikes, I guess I'll check. It's been a couple years.

 

I never checked mine and the last few weeks a couple of times my car would not start. So I just bought the optima red top for 120$.

 

Where did you purchase the Optima?

 

My 2K battery went dead on yesterday. Luckily, it happened in my drive way and not at work or in some shopping center.

Take the advice about checking the battery or at least being proactive about battery replacement before it surprises you.

 

When you bring your car in for an oil change, isn't it true that they should also check all fluids, including battery fluid?

 

Well, what they 'should' do and what they 'actually' do may not be the same. Funny, I checked my battery yesterday. No cells were low.

I'm on my third Maxima and in the prior two the Nissan batteries lasted only about 2 years each. I've had my car for 25 months so I guess I better start planning on a replacement. Guess which name it won't be! I had an Interstate that lasted about 5 years.

 

Darth VADER: I bought it at Pep Boys. 120$ for red top, 160$ for the yellow.

 

difference between red and the yellow top?

What's the size for 01SE? I want to get one b4 winter hits.

 

You and I have the same experience -- I am also on my third Max and the batteries for my prior Maxes also went dead within 2 years. The dealer told me I did not drive enough (I average less than 6k miles a year). That is bs, because after I changed the Nissan OEM batteries to Diehard Gold, the Diehards have kept working. Also, I find the Nissan batteries inferior in design and convenience because you need to check the water level now and then. The Diehards are maintenance free!

 

the yellow top has more cranking amps then the red does.

 

yellow top is the sh|t,
dont forget, use distilled water...

 

I think i will check my battery. i was just waiting for it to die. i'm pushing about 1000 watts to my subs. i get a little headlight dimming every now and then. until yesterday i noticed the battery light came on. and stayed on.

 

I feel really strange, but I didn't know you ever needed to check battery fluid. I have never done this in my previous cars. Does it have something to do with the nissan battery? Is the optima maintainence free? What size or model for 2k3?

Thanks for the info.

 

If you go to NTB, you can get the yellow and the red top optimas for 129.99. They will have to order it, but Johnson Control sends them in 1-2 days. I just found out yesterday that my battery was not a maintenence free battery. I have had the car for 6 months and never checked the fluid.

 

Yep, the OEM batteries need to be checked periodically for fluid level. Check your owner manual for instruction. That sucks! When it dies, replace it with a maintenance free battery, like the Diehard Gold.

 

What's the size or model number for yellow and red top for 01 SE?

 

What is NTB?

 

NTB is National Tire & Battery, I think it is a Sear's company.

Another great battery is the Odyssey. They make a wide range of sizes.
I have had one in my BMW motorcycle for 5 years.
The 925MJT is the one I am going to get as it is 13lbs lighter tha n the OEM unit. Cold climate non garaged cars should go I size up. You can get this through a seller on ebay for about $100.
It is spiral cell, maint. free and can be mounted in any position (upside down if you wish)
The Odyssey is at least as good as the optima, IMHO I think it is better!

 

have any of you guys noticed on how with the stock battery when you turn the ac on or the radion, how the whole car kinda dims out? thats some chit. i mean i owuld have thought that nissan would have put soemthing more reliable and powerful than that.

 

Not to sound like a "newbie" but how do you check the fluid(water) in the battery???...

 

if its ur stock battery you can just look from the outside and just make sure that all the water levels across the cells are filled to max if not open each little screw typer top to each cell and fill it with distilled water

 

Does anyone know how long (mileagewise) the OEM's battery would last?

 

I just took my Max in for a free 30 point check and they discovered that my battery wasn't putting out enough amps. Replaced it under prorated warranty for $25. When this one goes, I will upgrade probably to a Die Hard. My 91 Max OEM battery lasted over 4 years.

 

I saw a thread earlier about the light weight battery...suppose to save 25 lbs from the OEM's battery. I am pondering on ordering it. Anyone here has any experiences w/this particular battery?

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/specs.htm

 

dang! i didnt even know i had to check the battery, THanks for the heads up!

 

got mine changed in the summer I went on vacation for a month. when i got back, jumped in all ready the drive and NO GO

 

If you have the stock battery, this is a good reminder to make checking the water level part of your regular maintenance.

Just this past Sunday, my Maxima wouldn't start and it turned out to be low water level was too low. I always forget to check on the battery, so it was my own fault. I poured bottled drinking water (didn't have distilled water with me) into the cells, got it jump started, and went to Sears to get a Diehard Gold maintenance-free battery.

After a quick 5-minute swap by myself in the Sears parking lot...no more water checking for me.

Peace.