Caution: To avoid contamination of the electrolyte, clean the surface of the cap only when the plugs are tightly screwed in.
Make sure that the corks are always screwed tightly into the necks of the jars. Check the cleanliness of the gas outlet holes in the plugs at least once every 2 weeks (if they are completed in them) or in the side walls of the lid. Clogged holes will cause the gas pressure inside the battery to increase, which may result in damage to the battery.
To prevent oxidation of battery terminals and cable ends, clean the terminals and ends regularly (manufacturer's requirement: every 30,000 km), lubricate them with petroleum jelly or consistent grease. Make sure that the wire tips and terminals are tightly connected.
Note: To protect the terminals and tips from oxidation, it is best to use commercially available conductive copper-containing greases instead of technical petroleum jelly or regular greases.
Periodically check the reliability of the battery mount on the car, tighten it if necessary to avoid cracks in the monoblock.
Note: To reduce vibrations transmitted to the battery monoblock, install the battery on an acid-resistant rubber mat.
If the battery is serviceable, then periodically (the manufacturer's requirement is every 15 thousand km) check the electrolyte level in the battery cells.
Note: For batteries with a common lid for all elements, equipped with a capacitor cavity, it is permissible to check the electrolyte level once every 2 months.
The electrolyte level in all elements should be 5–10 mm above the upper edge of the separators, which corresponds to the location of the level between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the wall of the translucent case of batteries from other manufacturers.
Note. It is convenient to check the electrolyte level above the upper edge of the separators using a glass tube with a diameter of 4–5 mm. Lower it into the element until it stops in the separator and, closing the free end of the tube with your finger, remove it from the element.
To restore the electrolyte level, add only distilled water. If it is determined that the low level is due to splashing, then add electrolyte of the same density as the one remaining in the battery cell. If the level is above normal, pump out the electrolyte using a rubber bulb with an ebonite tip.
Warning! It is strictly forbidden to add concentrated acid to the battery!
If problems with starting the engine occur during operation, check the density of the battery electrolyte or the voltage at its terminals in an unloaded state. To check the density of the electrolyte, use a hydrometer or a float indicator for the density of the electrolyte, which can be purchased at an auto store. The density of the electrolyte corresponding to the degree of charge of the battery is given in the table. 4.3. The voltage at the battery terminals can be measured with any DC voltmeter with a measurement limit of 20 V (a similar voltmeter is included in all commercially available autotesters or multimeters).
Table 4.3. Parameters for checking the battery charge level
