C409

..... How about checking with the folks that sold you the battery ? Duralast = Autozone ? .....

arbee

Thank you for answering the OP's question! Even though he asked 4 or 5 times, it took 20 posts for him to get his answer. I know nothing of these batteries or I would have answered his question in post #2.

rocco16

I have a Duralast Gold in my C4. In fact, the last two have been DLG's. I have never had a reason to believe that they are a "maintenance-free" battery.
It is my understanding that no battery that has removable fill caps is a true maintenance-free battery.

aklim

As they say, the devil is in the details. That 2 batteries are made by Johnson Controls means nothing to me. Wouldn't even matter if the came out of the same factory. Private Label means I make something and slap your label on it. It doesn't mean made to the same specs.

xrav22

I am on my second duralast gold, they are NOT a maintinence free battery I have added distilled (only distilled no smoking by the way) to the bottom of the plastic so you see the marble effect. You will pep up your battery again. They are ok batteries and I like the warranty.

racerseks

I did do that the next day, but was hoping to get it charged that night. Went with my gut, and everything worked out fine...thanks.

racerseks

Oh, man...too funny! I thought I was going nuts! It got pretty off topic, and everyone was telling me to just trash the battery! I guess no one knows how to tell...but I appreciate the comments all the same guys. I made up my own mind on how to tell myself, whether right or wrong...and just charged it. Worked out fine.

racerseks

racerseks

Yea, I can't really complain. Three years is pretty good, and they've never given me problems with the warranty...

racerseks

Yea, they are not bad batteries. I have a C4 that sits a lot. so I would know! For God's sake, I keep an 8mm open end wrench on my keychain, LoL...

I gotta say, they do stand behind their warranty.

I had a quick-disconnect on it, but wasn't comfortable with how cramped it was in there. That's when I put the 8mm open end on my keychain, ha ha...Sure sign of a C-4 man!

Thanks for your comments...

racerseks

I'll t you all know if it doesn't hold a charge...

bac22

According to customer service (I was curious myself since I use Duralast and called) both JC and Autozone claim that all Duralast batteries are maintenance free even though they have vent caps.

racerseks

It comes as no surprise to me...Autozone told me the exact opposite. It's why I never trust just one opinion or statement on anything...

1800Wing

I've always figured that if the battery has removable caps, it's not maintenance free....but i've only tested that for 30 years so I could be wrong.
Get yourself a Battery Tender while you have the battery out of the car, they come with a quick connect pigtail. I've used Battery Tenders for years on hot rods, motorcycles and most any equipment that has to go unused for any length of time. Here's a link to the one I buy, You can get them cheaper at Amazon or CycleGear...usually around 40 to 50 bucks.

http://products.batterytender.com/Ch...derR-Plus.html

later, tiny

racerseks

You're definitely onto something, man! Thanks...I'll check out your link, but I am pretty fond of having that 8mm on my keychain. Been there for years now...

Just checked out your link..Sorry, I thought it was a disconnect. Will check it out...thanks!

Thanks!

Diesel_Jerry

found this http://www.bestcovery.com/duralast-gold-car-battery the review says maintaince free.

racerseks

Thanks for posting. Just one of those things, man. I hate how horribly inconsistent things can be sometimes when you're trying to find an answer. I'm sure this is another 50/50 split that will never come to resolve. I've made up my mind on what I'm gonna choose to believe, ha ha...

racerseks

And to confuse things more, on their website, Autozone lists their "Platinum Series" as "Maintenance Free", yet mention nothing for their gold series.

You'd think they'd label them on the battery itself. Probably never thought of it...comical.

exitwound

Here in the UK, we all use Tayna to supply batteries on our American cars as they walk the walk.. (apart from Optima which seem to have problems and we avoid them)

https://www.tayna.co.uk/American-Car...es-S701-1.html

and we use these tenders..

https://www.tayna.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-5.0...5.0-P8692.html

Churchkey

Connect a volt meter & charge @ 50 amps for ten minutes. If voltage exceeds 16V while charging the battery is sulfating = it will die soon.

Load test: 200 amp draw for 15 seconds. If 10.8V or better after 15 seconds = good to go. If less than 10.8V after 15 seconds recharge then load test again. If less than 10.8V the second time replace the battery.

Good luck