Car Battery Water Level

Fill the cells with distilled water.

Car battery water level. We recommend you check your battery s water levels at least once every three months for a new battery and once a week if the battery is older than 1 years. In a new fully charged battery the water levels can be filled up to the bottom of the filler tube. Tap water contains minerals that are harmful to batteries even if added in small amounts. Checking the water level in your car battery is an important aspect of regular car maintenance that everyone with a vehicle should do.

This can cause the acid water mixture to leak. Knowing how to properly manage the water levels in your battery can help ensure the life of your battery and help you avoid catastrophic battery failure. The proper fill level according to battery manufacturers is approximately 1 4 inch below the fill well bottom. The amount of water in combination with the size of the battery plates is what determines the amount of charge your lead acid battery will store.

We have a guide on car battery voltage that will help you to better understand the voltage reading and state of charge. The proper method recommended by most battery manufacturers is to add enough water so that the cell plates are completely submerged but not so much that the water is up to the battery case cell cap vents. Before checking the water levels in your car s battery make sure to wear safety goggles and disposable gloves to protect your eyes and skin from the electrolytes in the battery. In a old or dying battery the water should only be filled enough to cover the electrodes.

It s important to check your battery s fluid level regularly and the best practice is to do so after the battery is finished charging. Flush any spilled acid water mixture with fresh water. When your car battery is fully charged the water level inside the battery will be at its highest. The water or electrolyte inside the battery helps in the electrochemical reaction to store this energy in the battery plates.

To know the state of charge of your battery is it worth checking the voltage of the battery. Add water to the battery to bring the level to just below the bottom of the cell inspection hole. Thus as part of your car battery maintenance schedule you should check the battery water level periodically to ensure proper battery operation and engine performance. Then clean off the dirt from the top of the battery and open the ports so you can check the fluid level in each cell.

Water or electrolytes are a very important part of what makes your battery work. You can check the battery without special tools. Do not over fill the water level.