Content

• Advice
• What you need

• Some batteries are located quite low in the engine compartment, behind the guard bar and in front of the front wheel of the vehicle. Sometimes, the battery can be accessed from below and must be removed for inspection and maintenance.
• Most of the batteries from BMW, Mercedes Benz and a few others are in the trunk, in a separate compartment.
• The battery can also sit under the back seat, as is the case with some Cadillacs.

Cleaner. Before proceeding to test the battery water level, it is necessary to clean the top of the battery and around the terminals. This is very important to prevent foreign objects from falling into the compartments when opening the jar. And at the same time, the clean surface helps to reduce or prevent corrosion in nearby metal structures.

• To remove common dirt and minor rust, use a little ammonia-based glass door cleaner. Spray the rag with water - Do not spray directly into the battery, and wipe off any dirt. Paper towels can also be used, as long as they are replaced as soon as they begin to disintegrate.
• Heavy stains can be removed with a mixture of water and baking soda. Likewise, wet the rag and wipe, not directly pouring it on the jar. Sometimes, you will need to blot the rag and wipe it over and over. Finally, use glass cleaner to wipe off this baking soda solution. Leaving baking soda on the outside of the battery will increase the rate of corrosion in nearby poles and metal structures in the future.
• Don't neglect: always make sure the lid of the jar is tightly closed while cleaning. Do not allow the cleaning solution to be small or run into the flask.
• Attention: If desired, you can remove the battery from the vehicle before cleaning, servicing and reinstalling it later. As a result, things can be safer, especially when the battery is not in a convenient position for manipulation. When you do, however, you will have to restart some or all of your car's electronics (clock, radio setup, etc.). At the same time, often when there is no need to remove the battery, you will save a considerable amount of time.
• We can also remove the poles from the battery completely and immerse them in a cup of very hot water. Hot water can dissolve rust and clean the surface of the poles. Make sure they are completely dry when reattached.

Open the bottle cap. On the top of the battery there are usually two rectangular covers used to seal the mouth of the compartment, which can be opened using a small plastic knife or screwdriver. If the lid does not loosen immediately, slowly pry off a few places around it.

• Some batteries have six separate round caps instead of the one above and can be opened by turning counter-clockwise and then pulling out.
• If it says "maintenance free" on the lid, the bottle is not designed for opening. Manufacturers recommend that water cannot be added to these bottles, they simply need to be replaced when they are no longer in good working order.

Continue cleaning if necessary. Opening the lid can help detect additional stains on the top of the jar. Continue cleaning with a rag soaked with water to clean the glass.

• At this point, don't use baking soda. Use a small amount of glass cleaner and be very careful that nothing (wash water, dirt, paper towels, etc.) can fall into the mouth of the jar.
• Don't be rushed to skip this step - maintaining a clean top of the battery will reduce further rust. This is an important action in battery maintenance, helping to maintain a complete connection between components.

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Part 2 of 4: Checking battery liquid level

1. 

   
   
   Compare the level of solution between the compartments of the flask. Looking down at each compartment through the mouth of the bottle, you can see the level of electrolyte contained in it. Usually the amount of solution is the same between the compartments.
   • In the opposite case, it could be because before that, a compartment was accidentally over-inserted. This can be easily corrected by wiping at the point that the liquid level in the compartment has been reduced and back to normal.
   • If there is a big difference between the compartments, there may also be a leak in the battery or a slightly cracked battery cover. In this case, you need to replace it with a new one. If you can't find a leak, add water to the highest degree of safety: just Use distilled water and check again a few weeks later to see if the water levels are evenly matched between compartments.

2. 

   
   
   Use only distilled water to fill the battery compartment. Distilled water can be purchased at grocery stores. If the electrolyte water level is low (expose the plate), fill each compartment with water, just enough to flood the plates. Then, use the charger to fully charge the battery or just run the car for a few days, the battery will automatically be charged with current from the car. Add water only as much as possible within the safe range, ie just touch the tip under the wedge, if the battery is fully charged.
   • To ensure the correct amount of water added last, use a clean funnel, sports water bottle, pump hose, etc. Need really Be careful not to let any dirt or cleaning solution get into the compartment.
   • Using tap water, filtered water or any other type of water instead of distilled water will cause mineral salts and chemicals (such as chlorine in municipal water systems) as well as other residue to penetrate and reduce age. life of the battery.

3. 

   Wipe any spills or spills and close the lid. Make sure everything has been cleaned and put the clean lid on the jar.
   • If you accidentally put the steam too much but still hasn't reached the point of spilling, it's best to simply stop adding water and close the bottle. If spilled onto the battery surface, do not forget this is acid: avoid contact with skin or clothing.
   • Clean by wiping the water with a rag or paper towel. Avoid getting the rag or paper too wet and wire it to other vehicle parts or any objects. Crumple rag and tissue in the bucket of water. Remember to wear gloves, do not let this water get on your hands.
   • When done, throw a clean rag or paper towel in the trash. Fill the sewer drain with water, taking care not to let the water run off all over the floor. This will prevent the acid from sticking to other things. Finally, wipe off anything that has been in contact with the electrolytic water with a glass washcloth.
   • If over-wetting occurs, visually check weekly for a month to see if water is spilled and wipe off as directed above.
   • The amount of sulfuric acid lost from the battery by accidental overflow may be small and will not significantly affect the operation of the battery. It is best not to try adding acid to compensate (excess acid will shorten battery life faster than lack of acid).
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Part 4 of 4: Take necessary safety measures

1. 

   Eye protection with safety glasses. The electrolyte water in the battery is a solution of sulfuric acid: you must avoid splashing the acid in your eyes as it can cause serious damage, even blindness.
   • Contact lenses do not protect eyes and can be annoying in the event of an accident. Conventional eyeglasses are also insufficient to protect eyes due to lack of side shields.
   • Therefore, wearing safety glasses is essential. They can be purchased at parts and accessories stores.

2. 

   Protect hands with disposable gloves. Choose gloves that are resistant to sulfuric acid for at least a few minutes. This glove can be found at parts and accessories stores.
   • Natural rubber (latex) or vinyl gloves cannot stand acidic for long. If using them, replace as soon as it detects that electrolytic water is attached. If left on for a long time, the electrolytic water can get into the glove and burn your hands.
   • Neoprene gloves can protect your hands for an hour or more but are difficult to get from a regular parts store. Nitrile is different from neoprene. Nitrile is less resistant to sulfuric acid than natural rubber (latex) and should not be used.

3. 

   Protect the skin. Wear old clothes with long sleeves, pants and closed shoes for as much protection as possible. If the electrolytic water falls on the clothes, the fibers will rot in a week or two, leaving a hole. Wear old clothes so you can throw them away at no extra cost.

4. 

   Know what to do when electrolytic water gets on your skin. If electrolytic water gets on your skin, wash with running water and soap immediately.
   • If there is a burning or itching sensation, it is possible that the electrolytic water has fallen into your skin. Just one drop can cause burns.
   • You may not see any redness or wounds at first and when you do, it's too late. Therefore, if you suspect that the electrolyte water gets on your skin, do not hesitate to stop work and rinse immediately.
   • Throw away all used gloves and rags when done. Letting them come into contact with other materials may result in damage or damage.
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Advice

• If you don't know what to do, ask a mechanic. Most auto repair centers can do it for free.
• Pay attention to keep and clean the working corner when maintaining the battery.
• Do not open the lid while the vehicle is in motion.
• Make sure your eyes are protected. The acid in the battery can cause eye blindness and is highly corrosive.
• Wear safety glasses when checking and fill the battery with water.
• Use a small plastic knife (about 2.5 cm wide) to pry off the lid. These knives can be found at hardware stores or paint shops. If not, a screwdriver with an insulated handle can be used, but when prying, be careful not to accidentally touch the metal part of the screwdriver or any other metal object. This can cause sparks and hydrogen gas burn in the battery.
• Clean the battery. Stains will hold moisture and become conductive, especially the stains of acid vapors coming from the flask. Electric current flows to the outside of the battery through the dirt, accelerating the corrosion of nearby metals.

What you need

• Safety glasses
• Gloves. Neoprene (neoprene) gloves are best. Natural rubber (latex) or vinyl can also be used. Nitrile cannot resist acid from battery.
• Wipes or paper towels
• Distilled water
• Sports water tank, pump pipe or hopper.
• Glass cleaning solution is based on ammonia
• Baking soda (optional - in case the battery terminals are heavily corroded)
• A 2.5 cm wide flat plastic knife (optional) to pry off the battery cover or carefully use a screwdriver with an insulated handle.