How to Test Your Car Battery
If you want to check your battery on your own, you
should look for a few important things to make sure that your battery is
running at optimal performance. You will need to get protective eye gear and
gloves. The battery does contain acid. If the acid gets on clothing or a
painted surface, wash the item quickly and thoroughly. If the acid comes in
contact with your skin or eyes, flush the area immediately for 15 minutes and
then seek medical care.
First, you will need to check your battery's
electrolyte level. Depending on which battery you have, this could be done in a
few ways. On batteries with a white case, drivers will see the upper and lower
level marks on the battery. Add distilled water until it is at the upper-level
mark.
On the black case batteries, drivers will have to
remove the cell plugs and check that the water covers the lead plates but
doesn't go over the vent walls. If low, add distilled water to the base of the
vent walls. Remember only to use
distilled water, never use tap water.
On both types of batteries, make sure that the
terminals are cleaned of all corrosion and debris. Then check that the
connections are tight. If the terminals need to be cleaned, use a brush, and
wipe away any problem materials. If you must disconnect the terminals to clean
them at any point, you may have to reset your car radio presets.
By keeping up proper maintenance, you can avoid the
annoyance and possible danger from having a dead battery. If you have any
questions about your battery or any other maintenance issue, you can make an
appointment with one of our knowledgeable service technicians at Butler Nissan.
With our deals and specials on service, we will help you get your Nissan
running at peak performance so you can get back on the road.