Battery lifetime?

I put a new battery in my 95 Camry at Wal-mart in July 2000. The brand is
EverLast. Now it is over 3 years and half. I am not quite sure if it is time
to change it again. Before the battery is dying, what kind of sign can I
feel when driving? Should I change it to a new one now before I can't get my
car started? So far the car runs fine.

"kk" <kk_us@m> wrote in message
news:c1j3nd$1immrk$1@ID-48684.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I put a new battery in my 95 Camry at Wal-mart in July 2000. The brand is
> EverLast. Now it is over 3 years and half. I am not quite sure if it is
time
> to change it again. Before the battery is dying, what kind of sign can I
> feel when driving? Should I change it to a new one now before I can't get
my
> car started? So far the car runs fine.
>
There are currently 3 different models of Everlast. So it depends on which
one you bought. If you bought the most expensive one, I would just check the
water level (use distilled water only) and keep it.

I bought the cheapest one, around $35 at Wal-mart in July 2000. Is it time
now to change to a new one?
"Mark A" <ma@switchboard.net> wrote in message
news:kw9%b.43$mA3.52170@news.uswest.net...
> "kk" <kk_us@m> wrote in message
> news:c1j3nd$1immrk$1@ID-48684.news.uni-berlin.de...
> > I put a new battery in my 95 Camry at Wal-mart in July 2000. The brand
is
> > EverLast. Now it is over 3 years and half. I am not quite sure if it is
> time
> > to change it again. Before the battery is dying, what kind of sign can I
> > feel when driving? Should I change it to a new one now before I can't
get
> my
> > car started? So far the car runs fine.
> >
> There are currently 3 different models of Everlast. So it depends on which
> one you bought. If you bought the most expensive one, I would just check
the
> water level (use distilled water only) and keep it.
>
>

"kk" <kk_us@m> wrote in message news:<c1j3nd$1immrk$1@ID-48684.news.uni-berlin.de>...

I am not quite sure if it is time
> to change it again. Before the battery is dying, what kind of sign

Search the Internet for "temperature compensated hydrometer" or just
buy the cheap version with floating colored plastic pieces.
Be really careful with the battery electrolyte (sulfuric acid).
You should be able to measure the state of charge of each cell by
reading the specific gravity on the hydrometer (how much acid is in
solution versus absorbed by the battery plates).
Try recharging the battery to bring up the reading if low.
If one cell is lower than the others, or they cannot be brought up to
good condition after charging, go ahead and replace the battery.

Any mechanic can perform a load test
on it to see if it is still healthy.
Or you can buy the tester yourself for
about $30.
Keep the terminals clean, water topped
up and that is all you can do.
I have been getting 100,000 miles from
my batteries.

Autozone will check your battery for free.
Should you need a new one,they have some of the best deals.I had very
good service on the one I purchased there.
Good Luck.