Here is the Correct Way to Add and Fill Car Battery Water
The way to add water to a car battery is actually very easy. However, battery water often becomes a forgotten matter.
You must maintain the car battery by checking it regularly. Don't wait until the battery water is almost empty or even empty before you realize it.
Such carelessness can cause some damage to other car components. Surely you don't want this to happen, right?
You can check the condition of the battery water yourself. Likewise, adding water to the car battery can also be done by yourself, without having to go to a workshop.
If you are confident enough in your abilities, you can follow the steps on how to properly fill the car battery water below.
How to Add Water to a Car Battery?
Before adding water to the car battery, you need to follow these steps.
1. Check the Type of Battery Water
There are two types of battery water on the market, namely blue bottle battery water and red bottle battery water. Both have different contents and functions.
The content of red battery water is sulfuric acid. Meanwhile, blue bottle battery water contains only pure water, without any sulfuric acid.
The difference between red bottle battery water and blue bottle can be seen not only from the color of the packaging but also by checking it by dropping a little on your skin.
If it is the blue bottle, then there will be no reaction on your skin. However, if the red bottle battery water touches your skin, you will feel a slight itch due to its sulfuric acid content.
So, which battery water is suitable for adding to the car battery? Of course, the blue bottle battery water, which contains pure water, without sulfuric acid.
Are there negative effects if you mistakenly use red bottle battery water when adding battery water? Of course, there are. Because of the excessive sulfur content, it will gradually damage the battery components.
2. Prepare the Tools
Since you will be opening the battery, you need to prepare some simple tools such as:
- Medium-sized flat screwdriver,
- 10mm wrench,
- Battery water as needed.
You may often wonder how many bottles of car battery water are needed? If the battery water is very low, you need red bottle battery water. However, if you only need to add a little battery water, then what you need is blue bottle battery water.
Read Also: The Dangers of Refilling Car Battery Water with Acid Water
3. Check the Electrical System
Before executing the addition of car battery water, you need to check whether the car's electrical condition is safe.
Make sure the car engine is off and remove the ignition key. Remove the negative terminal of the battery with a 10mm wrench by loosening the battery terminal bolt.
Is it allowed to fill battery water while the car is running? Of course, it is allowed. However, this condition is too risky. The minimum risk is that the engine becomes hot and will interfere with the process of filling the car battery water.
4. Open the Car Battery Cell Cover
Once you are confident that you have checked the electrical system, you can start opening the battery cell cover. There are six battery cell covers on the car.
Open it by turning it counterclockwise. If the battery cell cover is difficult to open, you can use a flat screwdriver to help turn the battery cell cover.
5. Check the Condition of the Battery Water
You can check the condition of the battery water and the capacity of the battery water needed when added. You can see the volume limit of the battery water, which is usually red or black.
If the surface of the battery water is below that limit, then you need to add battery water. You can use a flashlight if the volume limit of the battery water is not visible.
6. Start Filling Battery Water Carefully
Before you pour the battery water, observe and read the instructions on the battery water bottle packaging. Pour carefully and focus. Avoid spilling battery water as it can cause corrosion to car components.
If you overfill when adding car battery water, you can use a small pipette to remove the excess. Use a dry cloth to clean any battery water splashes while you are filling the battery water.
Generally, when filled, the height of the battery water will be the same. If it is not the same, there is a leak in the battery. You must replace it immediately before the damage spreads to other parts of the car due to the corrosive nature of the battery water.
Read Also: Signs of a Leaking Car Battery Water
7. Filling Completed, Close the Battery Cells Tightly
If the filling is complete, close the battery cells tightly. Clean any remaining battery water that is usually left around the battery cover.
8. Do Not Start the Engine Immediately
After you have added battery water, do not start the engine immediately. Wait about 5 minutes. After that, try to start the engine.
It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the charging process. After that, you can use the car as usual.
Those are some steps on how to add water to a car battery. If you are unsure about adding battery water yourself, you can have your car's battery water added at the nearest Daihatsu workshop. There, you can also check the overall condition of your car.