2. Battery terminals should be cleaned regularly and coated with petroleum jelly. The top of the battery must be kept clean and dry. This will prevent corrosion and partial discharge of the battery.
3. Once every three months, remove the battery and inspect its mounting bolts, clamping plate, platform and wires for signs of corrosion (white loose deposits). All traces of corrosion must be removed, corroded areas cleaned with ammonia and covered with anti-corrosion paint.
4. At the same frequency, inspect the battery case for cracks. Detected cracks should be cleaned and repaired with a special compound. If there is a significant leakage of electrolyte from "banks" through the crack you will have to fill this jar with fresh electrolyte (see below). Cracks in the top of the battery often appear when water is added to it in the winter after a trip, and not before. In this case, the water does not mix with the electrolyte, freezes and breaks the battery case.
5. Frequent need to add water to the battery (in the absence of cracks on its body) indicates that the battery is overcharged, and therefore it is necessary to check the voltage regulator.
6. Every three months, check the density of the electrolyte with a hydrometer, which will allow you to assess the battery charge and the state of the electrolyte. If the density of the electrolyte in different banks differs from each other by more than 0.025, this may be due to one of the following reasons:
- A. loss of electrolyte due to leakage or spillage, and the lack of electrolyte was compensated not by electrolyte, but by clean water;
- b. internal short circuit caused by deformation of the battery plates. In this case, the battery is likely to fail in the very near future.
Below is the density of the electrolyte in a fully charged and fully discharged battery at various temperatures:
| Fully charged battery | Electrolyte temperature | Fully discharged battery |
| 1,259 | 43°C | 1,089 |
| 1,263 | 38°С | 1,093 |
| 1,267 | 32°C | 1,097 |
| 1,271 | 27°С | 1,101 |
| 1,275 | 21°С | 1,105 |
| 1,279 | 16°С | 1,109 |
| 1,283 | 10°С | 1,113 |
| 1,287 | 4°C | 1,117 |
| 1,295 | -7°C | 1,126 |
| 1,303 | -18°C | 1,133 |
| 1,311 | -29°C | 1,142 |
Closed accumulators (all models)
1. The latest models use sealed batteries. In addition, a sealed battery can be supplied to replace the old open type battery.
2. If means are provided on a sealed battery to check the electrolyte level, the latter should be carried out annually (or at the intervals indicated on the battery case). Even if the manufacturer does not require checking the electrolyte level, we recommend that you do this from time to time.
3. On batteries of all types, keep the terminals and clamps clean and take regular measures to prevent corrosion.