Per request :
Routine Battery Service
Interestingly ;
Batteries that can have the vent caps removed for routine service , are once again becoming common .
Often the filler cap is one long plastic strip that you can gently pry up on one end then remove .
Always use ONLY distilled water in your battery , it's cheap in the grocery store , $1 the gallon and it's best in SWMBO's steam iron too , always keep a jug under the kitchen sink and AND NEVER USE TAP WATER IN ANY BATTERY ! .
Automotive lead / acid batteries only need service one a year or so , I try to do them in the spring so they're ready for the summer's heat .
If the battery is damp /oily across it's top or has corrosion built up on the cables & posts , carefully remove it from the vehicle fist then wash it away from the lawn , in the laundry sink or near the end of the driveway , using a bit of liquid dish soap and any old rag you can toss out when you're done , be sure to physically rub every inch of it with the soapy rag including the bottom then allow to air dry , I put a pencil or old screwdriver under one end to allow air to dry the bottom too .
Don't worry about the corrosion , it's water soluble and will rinse right off with the soap & water .
Then you can remove the filler / vent caps and fill it with distilled water , only to the bottom of the filler neck ~ as soon as the water touches the lowest part of the filler hole & begins to curve , STOP ~ overfilling is a bad thing .
Leaving the damp oily crud on the top of the battery , keeps it always under charged as there is a parasitic drain through the dirt & oily crud .
DO NOT clean nor wash the battery whilst it's still in the car ! .
-Nate
Nate R. wrote:
This could happen to any gas or diesel.It happened to my w140 today.
Get up ,and out to start car,turn key a click thats all.Lights, and
ect.. work.
Test neutral switch by trying to start in neutral,nothing.Checked all fuses,nothing.
Assume dead battery try jumping,nothing.
Hook up battery charger for 4 hours nothing and voltage stayed the same,12 volts.
Just decided to check water in battery,one cell low real bad.Add water and start car,she fires up.
Moral of story,check your water in battery first.
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