Table of contents: Check and care ↓ Charger ↓
Annually or every 20,000 km.
Tools and materials needed for battery maintenance.
- 1 - Face shield/safety glasses - when brushing away traces of corrosion, crystallized acid particles can easily get into the eyes
- 2 - Baking soda - a solution of baking soda in water can be used to neutralize corrosion
- 3 - Acid-free Vaseline - A layer of Vaseline applied to the battery terminals will help prevent them from corroding
- 4 - Terminal/Wire Terminal Stripper - This wire brush stripper will remove all traces of corrosion from the battery terminals and wire terminals
- 5 - Impregnated felt washers - installing these washers on each battery terminal directly under the wire tips will help prevent corrosion
- 6 - Puller - Sometimes the wire ends can be very difficult to remove from the battery terminals, even after the nuts/bolts have been completely loosened. This tool will help you remove the ends vertically upwards without damaging them
- 7 - Terminal/Wire Terminal Stripper - Another type of stripping tool, a slightly modified version of item 4, that performs the same function
- 8 - Rubber gloves are another means of protection when working with a battery; remember that there is acid in the battery!
Check and care
Warning! When working with a battery, certain safety precautions must be taken. Highly flammable hydrogen is always present in battery cells, so never allow a lit cigarette or other open flame to approach the battery. Battery electrolyte is a sulfuric acid solution, which causes serious injuries if it gets into the eyes or on exposed areas of the body. In addition, the acid corrodes clothing and paints. When disconnecting a battery, always disconnect the negative cable first and reconnect it last!
Battery maintenance is a very important procedure to avoid stopping on the road due to battery discharge. Several tools are required to perform the maintenance procedure.
1. Before starting any maintenance procedure, always turn off the engine and all electrical equipment first, then disconnect the negative battery cable.
The original can be read on the website NISSANBOOK.RU
Caution: If your car radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you enter the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
2. NISSAN vehicles are usually equipped with low-maintenance batteries. You can remove the can caps and add distilled water. The latest models may be equipped with low-maintenance batteries that are completely sealed.
3. Remove the caps and check the electrolyte level in each battery can. It should be above the plates. There is usually a level indicator on each can. If the electrolyte level is below the norm, add only distilled water and then close the can caps.
The electrolyte level should be between the two lines on the outside of the battery case. The left arrow shows where the steel plate is inserted to remove the filler strip.
Checking the density of the electrolyte using a hydrometer.
Caution: Overfilling the cans may cause electrolyte to spill during boost charging, causing corrosion and damage to components near the battery.
4. If your vehicle's positive battery terminal and cable clamp are equipped with a rubber protector, make sure it is not torn or damaged. It should completely cover the terminal.
5. It is necessary to periodically inspect the external condition of the battery for damage such as cracks in the case.
6. Check that the battery cable clamps are tight enough to ensure a good electrical connection. Check each wire along its entire length for cracks and frayed insulation and wires.
7. If traces of corrosion are detected (usually presenting as a loose white coating) disconnect the wires from the terminals, clean them with a special brush, and reconnect them. The occurrence of corrosion can be minimized by installing specially treated washers, which are available from auto parts stores, or by coating the terminals and wire clamps with a layer of acid-free petroleum jelly or a suitable lubricant after they are connected.
Battery terminal corrosion usually appears as a light, loose powder.
Disconnecting the wire from the battery terminal using a wrench - sometimes, in cases where corrosion has destroyed the nut, special pliers are required for this procedure (always disconnect the ground wire first and connect it last!).
Regardless of the type of stripping tool, the result should always be a clean, shiny terminal surface.
When stripping the wire ends, it is necessary to remove all traces of corrosion (the inside of the tip is tapered to match the shape of the battery terminal, so don't remove too much material).
8. Make sure that the battery tray is in satisfactory condition and that the mounting clamp bolt is securely tightened. If the battery has been removed from the tray (see Chapter Engine electrical system, which describes the removal and installation procedure), make sure that no parts or other foreign objects are placed on it during installation. When tightening the fastening clamp, do not tighten its bolt too tightly.
9. Corrosion stains from the tray, battery case and surrounding surfaces can be removed using a solution of baking soda and water. Apply the mixture with a small brush, let it sit and then rinse with plenty of clean water.
10. Metal surfaces of the vehicle that have been subject to corrosion should be coated with a zinc-based primer and then painted.
11. For more information on the battery and jump starting, see Chapter Engine electrical system and in the Section Starting the engine from an auxiliary power source.
Charger
Note: Manufacturers recommend removing the battery from the vehicle to charge it, as gas released during this procedure may damage painted surfaces or the vehicle's interior, depending on the battery's location. Rapid charging with battery cables connected may cause damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
1. Remove all caps from the battery jars (if they exist) and cover the holes with a clean rag to prevent electrolyte from spilling. Disconnect the negative battery cable and connect the charger cables to the battery terminals (positive to positive, negative to negative), then plug the charger into the mains. If it has a switch, make sure it is set to the "12 volt" position.
Caution: If your car radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you enter the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
2. If you are using a charger with a current greater than two amps, check the battery regularly while charging to ensure that it has not overheated. Using a slow charger, you can safely leave the battery to charge overnight after checking regularly for the first two hours. Certain precautions may be required when charging maintenance-free batteries (for example, using a very low current charger). There may be a warning label on this battery, but if there is none, consult your NISSAN dealer or an electrician at an auto repair shop.
3. If the battery jars have removable caps, check the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer every hour during the last few hours of the charge cycle. Inexpensive hydrometers are available at auto parts stores - follow the instructions on the package when using them. The battery is considered charged if the specific gravity of the electrolyte does not change over two hours and the electrolyte bubbles freely in the jars. The specific gravity of the electrolyte in the individual jars should be nearly the same. If this is not the case, one or more of the battery jars is defective and should be replaced.
4. Some maintenance-free batteries have a built-in hydrometer at the top, which has a window - a color indicator of the battery's charge level. Usually, a brightly colored window means the battery is fully charged, and a dark color indicates that additional charging is needed. More precise instructions are provided in the battery manufacturer's instructions.
5. If the battery is sealed and does not have a built-in hydrometer, you can check the charge level by connecting a digital voltmeter to the battery terminals. A fully charged battery will show 12.6 volts or more.
6. More complete information about the battery and jump starting can be found in Chapter Engine electrical system and in the Section Starting the engine from an auxiliary power source.