Warning! Hydrogen vapors contained in battery sections are explosive. The electrolyte is dilute sulfuric acid, which will cause
chemical burns on contact with skin or eyes. When disconnecting battery wires, always disconnect the negative battery cable first and reconnect it last.
11.1 Tools and materials required for battery maintenance
1. Goggles or visor; 2. Baking soda; 3. Technical vaseline; 4. Tool for cleaning battery contacts; 5. Felt washers; 6. Puller; 7. Contact cleaning tool; 8. Rubber gloves
Inspection, maintenance
1. If the car has a factory maintenance-free battery, you do not need to check the electrolyte level and add distilled water. If the battery has been replaced with a conventional battery, the following maintenance operations must be carried out.
2. Remove the caps and check the electrolyte level in the battery sections. It should completely cover the plates. If necessary, add distilled water.
11.3a Using a wrench, check the tightness of the cable clamp bolt
11.3b Corrosion at the battery terminal
11.3g Thoroughly clean the battery terminals
11.3c When cleaning the contacts, it is necessary to eliminate all traces of corrosion
3. Check the condition of the battery case, the reliability and cleanliness of the contacts (11.3a, 11.3b, 11.3c and 11.3d).
4. Check the battery shelf and the security of the mounting clip. Remove the formed corrosion with baking soda.
Recharging the battery
5. Remove all battery caps. Disconnect the negative terminal wire and connect the charger.
6. When the charging current is above 2 amps, check the battery regularly to ensure that it does not overheat. If you are using a low current charger, the battery can be left to recharge overnight.
7. Check the electrolyte density with a hydrometer every hour during the last few hours of recharging. The battery can be considered charged when the density of the electrolyte does not change for two hours. The density of the electrolyte should be approximately the same in all sections of the battery. If not, some sections are probably damaged.