Battery question '98 Omega

Just recently noted engine a little slow turn over on the initial turn of
the key.
It hasn't failed to turn or start but the battery is probably the original
so approx 8 years old.
I've noticed the inspection window on the battery is black which Haynes says
means it requires charging.
Would charging an eight year old battery seem a little optimistic?...it does
to me...or would it be best to just save myself fiddling around with it and
fit a new battery?
Any pitfalls apart from disconnecting negative pole within 15 seconds of
switching off ignition?
TIA
Patrick.

 

Errr why would you want to charge a battery assuming the alternator is ok?

 

New battery as soon as possible in my opinion. As it gets colder in the
morning it will get worse. Yours has done well, I'm on my fourth in
nine years but the first was killed by the alternator early on and the
third was a cheap one fitted at the side of the road by the recovery
bloke and I didn't put up with it for long.

No pitfalls other than the 15 seconds.

 

Well I'm assuming the alternator is OK because I don't have a charger-fail
warning light. Also I've checked the voltage across the battery at idle
speed and no problem noted.

 

This has just happened to my Astra - noticed the dim instrument display,
power steering a little sluggish, lights not quite as bright as I seem to
remember.

Batteries last 4 - 8 years according to maintenance, so yours is getting a
little long in the tooth.

My problem was the alternator - the red battery light started to flicker
occassionally and then one day (actually this morning) - BANG the whole car
shuts down - neally everything is electronic - thank god the brakes are
mechanical. Sudden loss of power steering is also very scarey.

Get someone to check the alternator is charging the battery.

God bless you Mr Greenflag breakdown man.

 

Assume AC Delco or Vauxhall battery fitted? If no green indicator is
visible when you shine a torch into the inspection hole then the
battery is very flat (under 60% charged) and possibly isn't getting
charged by the alternator. You could fit a new battery & find that is
flat very soon afterwards. I've not had a Vauxhall battery fail under
13 years so it may not be the battery at fault. When they do die it
will be almost instantaneous rather than giving you much warning.

 

Yes it's an Opel battery, made in France, so probably AC Delco.
Since the OP I've removed and charged it for 24 hours, indicator is now back
to green.
It seems fine...fingers crossed, but I'll keep it under obs. just in case
its a lack of charge issue!