[Oldsguy]

It sure is restrictive to require their "qualified" service persons to be the ones to service the battery. As far as I know, battery maintenance is one of the most basic automotive chores, the kind of thing I learned when I was a kid in high school and worked at the local Texaco station as a pump-monkey. We were taught how to check under the hood for fluids, worn belts, battery fluid levels, and then wash the windows and check the wiper blades all while the tank was getting filled (by us, full service). Upon request we would check tire levels and do additional quick service at the pump. I know that station sold thousands of dollars worth of wiper blades, washer fluid, oil, transmission fluid, etc. because of this program. That place had hundreds of dedicated customers that we knew by name. But, a little off track there, sorry. About the battery exploding during the start up process. Check you cables and starter motor, you must have been pulling some excessive current someplace to cause the battery to self ignite, even with the presence of the fumes due to the low fluid level. Having the voltage regulator/alternator checked would not be a bad idea too, something had to dry the battery out and excessive charging and discharging is about the only thing that can do it, short of a cracked/leaky case. By the way, that might be something to investigate, the possibility of a cracked case (manufacturing defect) may have caused it to leak and dry out.