Battery

Vehicles are factory-equipped with a maintenance-free battery that requires no other maintenance other than keeping the case and terminals clean. To clean the terminals, disconnect them from the battery and clean with a wire brush. Strongly corroded terminals should be treated with a solution of bicarbonate of soda applied with a toothbrush. In this case, the solution must not be allowed to enter the battery. Lubricate the terminals with acid-free Vaseline or anti-corrosion compound before connecting the battery clamps. To check the condition of the battery, check the electrolyte density every 3 months. A density variation of about 0.04 or more between any cells indicates a loss of electrolyte or deterioration of the battery plates. In this case, charge the battery until the density in all banks is equal. Otherwise, the battery must be replaced. Periodically check that the battery plates in each cell are covered with electrolyte about 6 mm thick on top.

Accumulator charging

During normal use, the battery does not need to be recharged from external sources. Only for extended periods of inactivity does the battery need to be recharged every 6 weeks. Recharging may also be required when the vehicle is mainly used for short trips at night. Otherwise, the need to recharge the battery indicates a malfunction of the battery or its charging circuit. When using the charger, it is not necessary to disconnect it from the car's electrical wiring, however, you should turn off the ignition and leave the hood open.

Very fast charging should be avoided as this can cause permanent damage to the battery due to overheating. With any method of charging, the temperature of the electrolyte in the battery should not exceed 38°C. If the battery becomes hot or there is vigorous gas evolution in the electrolyte, then charging should be stopped. Charging should be done with a constant current equal to 1/20 of the battery capacity. The end of charging is indicated by the intensive release of gases from the battery and the fact that the density of the electrolyte does not change over the last 3 hours of charging.