How to Handle Battery

CAUTION: • If it becomes necessary to start the engine with a booster battery and jumper cables, use a 12-volt booster battery.

• Never add distilled water through the hole used to check specific gravity.

METHODS OF PREVENTING OVER-DISCHARGE

The following precautions must be taken to prevent over-discharging a battery.

• The battery surface (particularly its top) should always be kept clean and dry.

• The terminal connections should be clean and tight.

• At every routine maintenance, check the electrolyte level.

This also applies to batteries designated as “low maintenance” and “maintenance-free”.

• When the vehicle is not going to be used over a long period of time, disconnect the battery cable from the negative terminal. (If the vehicle has an extended storage switch, turn it off.)

• Check the charge condition of the battery.

Periodically check the specific gravity of the electrolyte. Keep a close check on charge condition to prevent over-discharge.

Work Flow

CHECKING ELECTROLYTE LEVEL

WARNING: Never allow battery fluid to come in contact with skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After touching a battery, never touch or rub your eyes until you have thoroughly washed your hands. If acid contacts eyes, skin or clothing, immediately flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.

• Remove the cell plug using a suitable tool.

• Add distilled water up to the MAX level.

Sulphation

A battery will be completely discharged if it is left unattended for a long time and the specific gravity will become less than 1.100. This may result in sulphation on the cell plates.

A sulphated battery may sometimes be brought back into service by means of a long, slow charge, 12 hours or more, followed by a battery capacity test.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY CHECK

1. Read hydrometer and thermometer indications at eye level.

2. Use the chart below to correct your hydrometer reading according to electrolyte temperature.

CHARGING THE BATTERY

CAUTION: • Never “quick charge” a fully discharged battery.

• If battery electrolyte temperature rises above 55 °C (131 °F), stop charging. Always charge battery at a temperature below 55 °C (131 °F).

Charging Rates

Do not charge at more than 50 ampere rate.

NOTE: The ammeter reading on your battery charger will automatically decrease as the battery charges. This indicates that the voltage of the battery is increasing normally as the state of charge improves. The charging amps indicated above refer to initial charge rate.

• If, after charging, the specific gravity of any two cells varies more than 0.050, the battery should be replaced.

Work Flow

TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS WITH BATTERY SERVICE CENTER

For battery testing, use Battery Service Center (J-48087). For details and operating instructions, refer to Technical Service Bulletin and/or Battery Service Center User Guide.