MAINTENANCE, LUBRICATION AND SERVICE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Batteries
WARNING
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
WARNING
Always wear eye protection when working
around batteries to prevent the risk of
injury due to contact with sulfuric acid or
an explosion.
CAUTION
When using a pressure washer to clean
the vehicle, do not direct the spray at
electrical components in the engine
compartment such as the alternator,
starter and compressors. Water spray
from pressure washers can damage
electrical components.
A maintenance-free battery does not
require the addition of water for its
normal expected life. Typical features
include heavy-duty construction and
wrought lead-calcium grid to resist
vibration, shock, overcharge, heat and
thermal runaway. Nevertheless, these
batteries are vulnerable to the ravages of
cold weather operation if totally ignored.
Battery Rating
Be sure that the batteries used in this
particular vehicle are rated for the
specied Cold Cranking Amperes
(CCAs) necessary to ensure reliable cold
weather starts. This is important, since
even well-maintained batteries chilled to
– 18 °C (0 °F) may temporarily be
capable of providing only 40% of their
rated capacity at 27 °C (80 °F).
Keep the terminals clean to prevent
formation of power-robbing corrosion. In
winter, to avoid freezing the electrolyte,
the battery must be fully charged. A fully
discharged battery will freeze solid at –
5 °C (23 °F) and possibly sustain
permanent damage.
Before the onset of cold weather, be
sure to protect this vital component by
monitoring its condition as well as
inspecting the charging and starting
systems.
Battery Warmer
A battery warmer can be added to raise
the temperature of the battery core and
facilitate quick starting in cold weather.
Battery Condition
The rst procedure when testing a
battery is to check for external damage
such as a cracked case, loose or
corroded terminals, or signs of
excessive gassing or overcharging.
A battery must be fully charged before a
load test is performed. Test the battery
with a hydrometer to determine the level
of charge.
On maintenance-free batteries equipped
with a built-in hydrometer (eye), the
battery condition is interpreted as
follows:
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