I have a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited. I’ve been assuming that the dealer tops up the battery cells with distilled water when I take the car in for service.

But I don’t put many miles on the car, and it’s been quite awhile since I’ve had the car serviced. Furthermore, the original battery is nearly five years old.

So I figured that it’d be prudent to top up the battery cells myself. But after popping open the hood I could see no way to open the cells. Hence the question in my thread title.

ChatGPT? Phooey – I have access to the SIGforum knowledge bank!

No, that's not a thing on modern "maintenance free" sealed car batteries.

If you car battery doesn't have fill holes, then it's a maintenance free battery and doesn't require topping off with distilled water. It should also be labeled as "maintenance free" somewhere on it.

Most car batteries these days are maintenance free, but it's common for some boat, golf cart, and utility batteries to still require water.

quote:

Nearly all car batteries these days are maintenance free, but some boat, golf cart, and utility batteries still require water.

Most likely the battery in the OP's car is sealed, possibly even AGM style, there is no need to service it at all.

Thanks guys!

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:

quote:

Nearly all car batteries these days are maintenance free, but some boat, golf cart, and utility batteries still require water.

Most likely the battery in the OP's car is sealed, possibly even AGM style, there is no need to service it at all.

And they doh't explode.

flashguy

^^^^^^^^
I figure that flashguy likes exploding batteries. Big flash!

You can add water to a battery that has fill caps or plugs. Most of them don't. Modern batteries and automotive charging systems will not normally need filling anyway.

AGM in both my cars
Not sure what's in the new toy, picking it up Saturday

Get a Stihl 026, MS260, or MS261. Or an 036, MS360, or MS361, if you want to go nuts.

The term “AGM battery” was new to me. I found this pretty good explanation on the web:

https://www.batteriesplus.com/.../power/agm-batteries

OP, most car batteries only last 5 years or less…start saving up they are getting crazy expensive.
The heat here in TX will kill a battery quick, so I don’t buy the good gel ones, I got Mrs. Mike a cheap one from Sams club a few months ago.

The cars are getting “smart” enough that if it calls for an AGM battery, it may give you a message about the battery or charging system if you cheap out. I do believe that the manufacturers have perfected battery chemistry however. Seems like these days if you make it more than a couple months past the batteries end of warranty, you are really doing something. I’m convinced that under ideal conditions, they have failure pretty well dialed-in.

Battery Explosion Survivor here. I was far enough away to skate, but my HS buddy, who was leaning over the battery was not so lucky.
Hooray for maintenance free!

I had a chance to switch to Interstate batteries after hearing their commercials over the years. I figured they were old fashioned batteries. I asked the tech replacing the battery how do I add distilled water and he said, "You don't."