johndeuce4

Hello everyone. When I had my old '77 Toyota Celica Liftback, I would keep the battery charged by driving the car at least 30 min once a week. It became my 2nd car when I got the '97 LS400. I got tired of keeping 2 cars going and sold the Celica. I somehow forgot to make sure I drove the Lexus 30 min a week. In 8 years, I replaced the battery after initial 3 years, again 2 years ago, and Lexus dealer said it needs replacing now. I didn't replace it. It is functioning fine, but I do make sure to drive the car 30 min a week. Anyone have comment on necessity of battery replacement at certain interval?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

If it's not broke leave it the hell alone.

When I got my LS it had a 9 year old original Lexus Battery in it that worked for another 4 months

Gene01

Would a battery / trickle charger help?

YoshiMan

The general car battery lasts an average of 6 years or so, but they can go for much longer, or much shorter depneding on a large variety of circumstances.

Dawa

iTrader: (5)

most batteries have warrantys of at least 2/3 years.
yes a trickle charger would help maintain and negate the 'driving it around for 30 minutes a week"
also, installing a simple volt meter would give you an idea of how the battery is doing.

Yamae

Yes, to read the voltage is a good idea. Incidentally would you introduce us how much yours showing?

Mine shows around 14.0V at P and 12.4V at D when idle after warmed up. These are when head lights are all off. With head lights on, those are around 13.5V and 12.9V each. This is because that the idle rpm is increased some. Once the car starts to run, it shows about 14.30V w/wo head lights.

Before I clean the throttle body, the idle was around 300rpm and the voltage was sometimes went down to 11.9V or less. Now it is around 550rpm and the minimum voltage is 12.4V.

So far I don't have any battery problem with my 98 Celsior but I think 12.4V is a bit low and it does not charge the battery. My family's Toyota cars never drop below 13.3V when engine is running even at the idle setting the AT at D.

Anyway my battery has been OK for more than 4 years with these conditions and I don't think I need to worry about 12.4V at D when idle.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Replace the battery when necessary. To keep it at nominal voltages, one of the many battery trickle/tenders will be sufficient if left sitting for extended periods.