BATTERY
On the 05 are the battery's maintience free or do you have to check the water levels in the battery??

 

they are maintenance free. newer cars are all like that.

 

I don't know about the 2005, but my 2004's battery has removable caps to check the electrolyte level and it's not mentioned in the Owner's Manual. When I check mine a year ago, there were some low cells, so I added distilled water to them.

 

the RX-8 battery IS NOT maintenance free! The electrolyte level is suppose to be inspected every 12k miles

I just pulled mine to bring it back and put on the charger after going off and leaving the trunk open (discharged the battery) and I noticed the fluid is way down on it. I only have 2600 miles! Low level will kill a battery faster than anything else!

Check your battery fluid level! You have to use "distilled water" for refilling and want the level to be just above the plates.

 

Not trying to to be wise *** but i replaced mine w/ a 34 series optima last week. I noticed the caps on the OEM batt. and yep the water level is 1 1/2" from the black top. It would have been nice if the battery check up was mentioned the owners manual. I filled with distilled and checked the voltage. It read 11.73 before and 12.2 v after the water fill up.
I always thought the OEM batt. was under powered anyway.

 

My '04 has 3400 miles. When I crank it, it sounds like a battery on a 10 below winter day. I doubt it will last very long. Will the battery be replaced under warrenty?

 

Call your dealer and tell the service guys that your car is cranking so slow you don't think it would be adequate for the de-flooding procecure. They may replace the battery with a upgraded unit, and if they are really accommodating, they may even replace the starter with the upgraded item.

 

"Flooded" (wet) batteries are a hassle. You need to keep up with the levels, and there is inevitably corrosion problems. AGM (absorptive glass matt) batteries are more reliable, no maintenance , no corrosion, better power to weight, etc. Optima batteries are AGM. The Optima Yellow-top, group 35 is an excellent choice for this vehicle, and is a drop-in replacement, using the adapter plate provided. (see DIY section).

 

FYI, a quarter is perfect for unscrewing the cell caps on the OE battery