The battery is located in the water collection compartment, between the engine compartment and the windshield.
The intended service life of the battery is only achieved if it is always sufficiently charged.
When using the car mainly for short distances or when parking for a long time, we recommend that you check the state of charge of the battery more often.
Tools and Materials Required for Battery Maintenance
- 1 - Face shield/ goggles - when removing traces of corrosion with a stiff brush, crystallized acid particles can easily get into the eyes.
- 2 - Baking soda - an aqueous solution of baking soda is used to neutralize traces of corrosion.
- 3 - Acid-free Vaseline - lubrication of the battery terminals will help to avoid the development of corrosion in the future.
- 4 - Battery Terminal/Wire Lug Stripper - specially shaped brush heads made of hard wire will help to effectively clean the battery terminals and terminal clamps.
- 5 - Impregnated felt washers - installing such a washer directly under the terminal clamp will avoid the development of corrosion.
- 6 - Puller - sometimes the wire clamps turn out to be very tight on the terminals and cannot be removed even if the fasteners are completely released.
- 7 - Battery Terminal/Wire Lug Stripper - despite the constructive difference from that mentioned in paragraph 4, it is intended to perform the same tasks.
- 8 - Latex gloves - do not underestimate the importance of this protective agent - do not forget that the battery contains sulfuric acid!
Check and care
Warning: Certain safety precautions must be taken when handling the battery. Highly flammable hydrogen is always present in battery cells, so never approach a battery with a lit cigarette or other open flames. Battery electrolyte is a solution of sulfuric acid, which can cause serious injury if splashed in the eyes or on exposed areas of the body. In addition, the acid corrodes clothes and paints. When disconnecting the battery, always disconnect the earth cable first and connect it last!
Battery terminal corrosion usually appears as a light, fluffy powder
Disconnecting the wire from the battery terminal with a wrench - sometimes, in cases where corrosion has destroyed the nut, special pliers are required for this procedure (always disconnect first and connect last the ground wire!)
Regardless of the type of stripper, the result should always be a clean, shiny terminal surface
When stripping wire lugs, all traces of corrosion must be removed (the inside of the tip has a taper that follows the shape of the battery terminal, so do not remove too much material)
1. Taking care of the battery is a very important procedure to avoid stopping on the way due to its discharge. An appropriate tool is required to perform the maintenance procedure.
2. Before starting a maintenance procedure, always first turn off the engine and turn off all electrical appliances, then disconnect the ground cable from the battery.
Warning: If your vehicle's radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you have entered the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
3. Cars are usually equipped with low maintenance batteries. You can remove the lids of the jars and add distilled water. The latest models can be equipped with batteries that do not require maintenance at all, which are completely sealed.
4. Slide the cover over the battery to the right (arrow 1) and lift it up (arrow 2).
Battery with indicator (serial version)
Check the electrolyte level, top up with distilled water if necessary.
By indicator (arrow) you can determine the electrolyte level and the state of charge of the battery. Light the indicator with a flashlight. In this case, the appearance of three different colors is possible:
- green - the battery is sufficiently charged;
- black - the battery is not charged or is heavily discharged;
- colorless or yellow - low electrolyte level, it is necessary to add distilled water.
Warning: Due to the presence of air bubbles under the indicator, the color may not be correct. Therefore, when checking, tap lightly with an object on the battery case.
Caution: If the battery is more than 5 years old and the indicator has no color, the battery must be replaced with a new one.
Caution: Use only a flashlight to shine inside the battery. Never use open fire for this (lighter, match). Explosion hazard! Keep a burning cigarette away from the open battery case.
Filling the battery with distilled water
1. Turn off the ignition.
2. Remove the film over the cork.
3. Remove the battery cap. Service stations use a special bottle VAS 5045 to fill the battery, the design of the filler pipe of which prevents overflow of the battery sections and electrolyte spillage. When the maximum level is reached, the supply of distilled water to the battery section is automatically stopped.
4. If the specified special bottle is not available, fill with water up to the internal mark (plastic jumper) (1) or up to the outer MAX mark.
5. Screw in the battery cap.
Caution: Never add too much distilled water, as otherwise, the battery will leak electrolyte, which will damage the adjacent parts.
Battery without indicator
Check the electrolyte level, top up with distilled water if necessary.
Visually check the electrolyte level on the transparent case of the battery. Remove the battery cap only when the electrolyte level in any section falls below the MIN·mark.
Caution: If it is not possible to determine the electrolyte level, remove the plug and look into the section. Do not shine into the battery with an open flame. Explosion hazard! Use a flashlight for this.
Filling the battery with distilled water
1. Turn off the ignition.
2. Fill each section of the battery separately with distilled water. To the MAX mark or to the inside mark (plastic jumper) (1).
3. Screw in the plug and tighten it.
Caution: Never use too much distilled water. If the electrolyte level is too high, it must be sucked off.
Checking the reliability of the battery terminals
Warning: If the battery is loosely fastened or the terminals are not tightened, then the consequence of this may be premature failure of the battery itself due to its shaking, burning of the cable or malfunction of the electrical equipment. Since the data of electronic memory units, for example, a radio receiver, is erased when the battery is not connected, read the instructions for removing and installing the battery in Section Replacing the battery.
1. Move the terminals in different directions (1) And (2) battery and check the security of their fastening. If necessary, tighten the fastening nuts. Torque: 6Nm.
2. If the battery is loose, fasten the clamp (3) fastening bolt (4) moment 12 Nm.
3. When traces of corrosion are found (usually a loose white coating) disconnect the wires from the terminals, clean them with a special brush and reconnect. Corrosion can be minimized by installing specially treated washers, available from auto parts stores, or by applying a coat of acid-free Vaseline or a suitable lubricant to the terminals and wire ties after they are connected.
4. Make sure the battery tray is in good condition and the clamp bolt is securely tightened. If the battery is removed from the pallet, make sure that there are no parts or other foreign objects on it during installation. When tightening the mounting collar, do not overtighten its bolt.
5. Traces of corrosion from the pan, battery case and surrounding surfaces can be removed with an aqueous solution of baking soda. Apply the mixture with a small brush, let it sit and then rinse with plenty of clean water.
6. Corroded metal surfaces of the vehicle should be primed with a zinc-based primer and then painted.
7. Additional information about the battery and about starting the engine from an external source can be found in Chapter Engine Electrical Systems and during Administered.
Charger
Warning: Manufacturers recommend removing the battery from the vehicle to charge it, as the gas released during this procedure may damage painted surfaces or the interior of the vehicle, depending on the location of the battery. Rapid charging with the battery wires connected may cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
1. Remove all caps from battery jars (if they exist) and cover the openings with a clean rag to prevent electrolyte splashing. Disconnect the battery ground cable and connect the charger wires to its terminals (positive to positive, negative to negative), then plug in the charger. If it has a switch, make sure it is set to.
Warning: If your car's radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you have entered the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
2. If you are using a charger with more than two amps, check the battery regularly while charging to make sure it is not overheating. Using a slow charger, you can safely leave the battery charged overnight after checking regularly for the first two hours. When charging batteries that do not require maintenance, certain precautions may be required (e.g. using a very low current charger). This battery may have a warning label on it, but if not, consult the manufacturer's representative office or a workshop electrician.
3. If the battery cells have removable lids, check the electrolyte density with a hydrometer every hour during the last few hours of the charge cycle. Inexpensive hydrometers are available from auto parts stores - follow the instructions provided when using them. The battery can be considered charged if within two hours the density of its electrolyte does not change, and the electrolyte itself in the banks bubbles freely. The density of the electrolyte in individual banks should be almost the same. If this is not the case, then one or more cells of the battery have failed and should be replaced.
4. More complete information about the battery and about starting the engine from an auxiliary source can be found in Chapter Engine Electrical Systems and during Administered.
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