Maintenance
Regular Maintenance
Battery Service
Checking Battery Voltage
WARNING
Keep open flames and sparks away from the battery; the gasses coming from it are highly explosive. Ventilate the battery well during charging.
A voltmeter can be used to determine condition of battery. When engine is off, the voltmeter shows battery voltage, which should be 12 volts. When engine is running, the voltmeter shows voltage of charging circuit which normally is 13 to 14 volts.
A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine may not mean the battery needs to be replaced. For example, it may mean that the alternator is not charging the battery properly. If there is any doubt about the cause of the problem, see your dealer. If you need to replace the battery, follow the steps under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the Regular Maintenance Section.
Charging a Completely Discharged Battery
1.Be aware of all the safety precautions you should observe during the charging operation. If you are unfamiliar with the use of a battery charger and hydrometer, have the battery serviced by your dealer.
2.Add distilled water sufficient to cover the plate (fill to the proper level near the end of the charge). If the battery is extremely cold, allow it to warm before adding water because the water level will rise as it warms. Also, an extremely cold battery will not accept a normal charge until it becomes warm.
3.Always unplug or turn the charger off before attaching or removing the clamp connections.
4.Carefully attach the clamps to the battery in proper polarity (usually red to [+] positive and black to
5.While charging, periodically measure the temperature of the electrolyte. If the temperature exceeds 125° F (51.6° C), or if violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte occurs, the charging rate must be reduced or temporarily halted to prevent battery damage.
6.Charge the battery until fully charged (until the specific gravity of the electrolyte is 1.250 or higher and the electrolyte temperature is at least 60° F). The best method of making certain a battery is fully charged, but not over charged, is to measure the specific gravity of a cell once per hour. The battery is fully charged when the cells are gassing freely at low charging rate and less than 0.003 change in specific gravity occurs over a three hour period.
Jump Starting With Auxiliary (Booster) Battery
Jump starting is not recommended. However, if it must be done, follow these directions. Both booster and
1.Both batteries must be of the same voltage.
2.Position the vehicle with the booster battery adjacent to the vehicle with the discharged battery so that booster cables can be connected easily to the batteries in both vehicles. Make certain vehicles do not touch each other.
3.Wear safety glasses and shield eyes and face from batteries at all times. Be sure vent caps are tight. Place damp cloth over vent caps on both batteries.
4.Connect positive (+) cable to positive post of discharged battery (wired to starter or solenoid).
5.Connect the other end of same cable to same post marked positive (+) on booster battery.
6.Connect the second cable negative
7.Make final connection on engine block of stalled vehicle away from battery. Do not lean over batteries.
8.Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster battery. Wait a few minutes, then attempt to start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
9.If the vehicle does not start after cranking for thirty seconds, STOP PROCEDURE. More than thirty seconds seldom starts the engine unless some mechanical adjustment is made.
10.After starting, allow the engine to return to idle speed. Remove the cable connection at the engine or frame. Then remove the other end of the same cable from the booster battery.
11.Remove the other cable by disconnecting at the discharged battery first and then disconnect the opposite end from the booster battery.
12.Discard the damp cloths that were placed over the battery vent caps.
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