So, today I was futzing around with my car and wound up leaving the ignition on -- no A/C fan, radio, headlights, or anything, just the dash lights and whatever else is quietly "on" when it's switched.

A couple of hours later I discovered this, and the battery was down to about 9.5 volts -- and the thing wouldn't start. I jumped it, and it seems fine, after a 15 mile drive -- the headlights don't go dim on idle or anything like that.

But I'm surprised that the battery lost its charge so quickly (although I have no real idea of what's "on" in those conditions...). I did a search, and it seems that the OEM batteries aren't exactly long-life models.

Should I assume that, at the 3-year mark, I should spring for a new one? Thanks, HPH

 

My S still has its original battery and it will be five years old on june 17th of this year. I store the car with the battery still hooked up and not on a trickle charger for close to 6 months and I've never had to jump it. Batteries last a lot longer than they used to, my last truck I bought used and owned it for 9 years and never changed the battery. Yes nine years!

 

We've had ours since Jan of '04. Fired up fine after almost 5 months under cover.

We don't disconnect either.

 

My OEM is 6 years old. I take it out every winter and store it on a shelf in the basement with no trickle charger. Last week or so, I plugged it in and still had 60% charge after the winter. After charging it held a full 100% charge overnight before I installed it.

I find it hard to believe that the S2000 battery is not a decent battery, but I don't recall any car I've had being able to start after having the ignition on for over 2 hours. Not that that means much - my car statistical universe is exclusively Hondas, and not that many of them at that.

JonasM

 

ok my OEM is six years this may.
I park it in the garage in the winter.
no trickle and connected.

this year, when I went to start it, it didn't want to crank right over for the first time.
pushed it into the driveway from the garage, gave her a jump and she's been good to go since with no issues.

a battery is probably in my future next year but seems to fine right now.

 

My OEM lasted about 3 years.

 

I replaced the battery in my 2001 model last year. 6 years seemed reasonable. That is what I have been getting with the Motorcraft batteries in my other vehicles.

 

I had to replace the battery in my '01 after 4 years. It began to start more slowly and then gave up the ghost completely.

 

The battery in my 02 has finally given up the ghost, time for a new 1
Levi

 

Thanks, all. I think I'll wait a while (and not stress the poor thing out any more) and see how it goes. HPH