My original battery exploded the first trip home from the dealership. It happened in the driveway after the inital 30 mile drive to the house. I had insisted on doing the delivery cleanup myself, just stripped the white plastic wrap, cleaned the windows, and drove it home (I worked there at the time) Because of this, (plus the fact I was staring at it every two minutes) I noticed the problem pretty quick, and took a hose and baking soda to it . A bit of the hood blanket and some paint on the battery mount and frame were the only casualties. A little spray bomb paint and all was well. Isuzu cheerfully replaced the crappy stock battery, and I gave it to a painter at the shop and bought a red top. Stock tires and batteries are generaly the cheapest the manufacturer can get away with and are best replaced at the soonest opportunity, in my experience. Wayne