dol4er

How long can I drive with the initial coolant liquid and top it up before actually replacing the full amount? My car is 5 years old and I was wondering about the coolant...

Same question goes for the battery... how do I know that the battery has to be replaced before it actually dies? Is there a way to know?

superangrypenguin

15 years for the coolant.

Battery - every 5 to 7 years.

dol4er

Thank you for your answer.

15 years is so much, that's a relief at least I won't have to pay for this.

As to the battery, is there a way to know that it is going to die soon?

Carsy

Have a battery expert do a load test. They are usually free. My battery is now 10 years old but has been used in ideal conditions.

Always top up the with MB coolant & demineralised ( found in supermarkets for ironing) water 50:50 ratio.

superangrypenguin

It's 15 years because MB has a solid in the coolant box, it gives off minerals or something to keep it strong for 15 years.

As far as battery goes, your guess is as good as mine. It really comes down to a function of driving style, temperature of operation (hot days kill batteries. Cold days require a better battery). So if you live in a place that's hot as hell in the summer and cold as hell in the winter - replace more often.

I'm at year 5 going to year 6 this winter. I'm probably going to swap my battery for the first time for the life of this car. Only $300 installed - not worth gambling over.

tekfoc

My battery failed a load test I did on it .
Car was only 3 yrs old when I replaced.

superangrypenguin

Load tests are notoriously inaccurate. I would not use this as a barometer to see if a battery needs replacing.

dieseldoc

4-5 year with the heat in Texas for battery.

dennish

My 3 yr old genuine MB battery failed after 3 years. On our e430 the MB battery is going strong after10 years. Go figure.

tekfoc

1. Quote:

   Originally Posted by superangrypenguin

   Load tests are notoriously inaccurate. I would not use this as a barometer to see if a battery needs replacing.

LOL

VERIFIED with my solar and even had 2 other friends who own auto shops verified my load test.
battery was giving trouble starting .

here is my tester.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SOLAR-40...oAAOSwTuJYvdou

superangrypenguin

Actually, on both fronts yes they are great tests. Battery giving trouble starting = signs of a new battery, and yes, the ONLY battery test that I consider valid is one that tests CCA, so yes, you're using a great tester.

By load test - usually one refers to the shi*y $20 testers you can buy are your local parts store or the 'free tests' done by dealerships or your local part store - those are generally useless.

tekfoc

I agree on those ****ty 20 dollar testers

Demvang

I think battery's life is 40k-60k miles, that's from my experience of current Nissan & previous Isuzu. My MB battery lasted 44k miles.

edgalang

I have the same solar battery tester as this guy (measures CCA).


Fast forward to 3:00 to see how to use it.