2022+ battery fluid check

Does anyone have a good way to check the battery fluid level? (acid)

It is hard to look down the battery cap holes because they are close to the hood and firewall.

There are min and max lines on the front of the battery case, but it is very hard to see the fluid levels because the case is so opaque.

I was thinking to wait for night time and shine a flashlight thru the case?

Any ideas?

2024 Tundra non-hybrid

 

Modern batteries are maintenance free. Buy a cheap battery tester if you want to check on it

 

Buy something like this:

$19 LubriMatic 75-030 Automatic Radiator Filler

https://www.amazon.ca/Plews-75-030-...5560450&mcid=69b0d3dbbbaf3bed90f13f011c2d463e


Fill it with distilled water. It auto shuts itself off at the right level. Charge your battery completely BEFORE adding water.

while the caps are off hit the battery with a “repair” or equalization voltage for a few hours.

(Even sealed batteries can be accessed. Sometimes its as easy as peeling a sticker, sometimes you,can cut out the “caps”)

if it’s a sealed battery I wouldn’t bother. I usually replace from Costco. Serviceable batteries, good price, and really good warranty.

 

My particular battery is not maintenance free. It has 6 caps to check and add distilled water if needed.

 

I think you have the right idea. Do at dark and shine a light on it. I use a turkey baster like pump to add distilled water as needed.

 

then buy the battery watering jug thingie. It’s idiot proof (I’m an idiot, lol). Fill it with distilled water. It stops filling when the water is at the correct level. I used to mess around with a flashlight and look.

Just make sure to charge fully before you add water, and let the battery settle.

 

That isn't necessarily true.
I used to think that.
Toyota gave me a 84-month TruStart in July of 2022 because they had my truck for 8 months waiting for cat parts.
I few months ago the truck started to start a little sluggish like the battery was going bad.
Bought a $20 battery tester on Amazon and it read the battery was going bad.

I could have gone to Toyota, but that is an all-day trip to the dealership I didn't want to deal with.
I've always favored Interstate batteries so I went to Interstate to trade it in on an MTP 27F.
The first thing the Interstate rep did was open the battery caps and it was low on water.
I haven't put water in a battery in 20 years, I thought they were all sealed these days.

I went ahead and bought the Interstate anyway.
It isn't sealed either.
The rep said just make a note to check the battery water when I do an oil change..

Looking back Toyota probably wouldn't have replaced the battery under warranty since the water was low..

 

An agm battery doesn’t require watering. Flooded ones do.

 

My concern with the watering jug it that it is generic, and how do you really know that it is setting the water level correctly? This OEM battery may have different requirements than a more commonly available aftermarket battery.

 

I would say if you're that worried about battery acid level then pull the battery and do the maintenance on your workbench.