Battery Care
At Browns e CARE, we are here to ensure your vehicle achieves its optimal and longevity by receiving the right attention and care to its most important component, the battery. Here, you will discover effective ways to extend its lifespan and enhance your vehicle's overall performance through our valuable battery maintenance tips.
Battery Maintenance
The maintenance of an auto battery involves periodic checking of the battery to ensure that your car runs smoothly. Keep in mind the following for a longer hassle-free battery life:
CHECK CLAMP
Make sure that the battery is firmly secured to the cradle and the cable clamps and lead wire contact is proper.
AVOID GREASE
Keep the battery top clean and dry. Apply either petroleum jelly or Vaseline to cable clamps and terminals for proper lubrication. Never apply grease.
USE DISTILLED WATER
Top up only with distilled water and maintain the level to the line that indicates, maximum. Never add acid.
CLOSE TIGHTLY
Keep the vent plugs closed tightly.
CHECK VENT
Ensure that the vent hose in the battery is not folded or damaged by the exhaust system.
CHECK REGULARLY
Be sure to inspect your vehicle's electrical system regularly, especially the regulator voltage setting.
SERVICE REGULARLY
Get your battery serviced regularly from your nearest authorised Exide dealer.
Battery Acid can cause burns
Be extremely careful while handling battery acid. If electrolyte is spilled on clothing or skin, wash with plain water and neutralise with a solution of baking soda and water. Electrolyte splashed into eyes can cause serious damage. In the event of such an accident, splash affected eye with clean and cold water for at least 5 minutes. Take medical advice.
Battery Explosion
Batteries generate explosive gases during vehicle operation and also when charged separately. Flames, sparks, burning cigarettes or other inflammable sources that may start a fire must be kept away at all times.
Handling the Electrolyte
a) Preparing electrolyte:
In case electrolyte needs to be prepared, always add concentrated acid to water and never water to acid, as it may cause effervescence and spillage. Store electrolyte in plastic containers with sealed cover. Keep away from direct sunlight.
(b) In case electrolyte is swallowed:
Drink large quantities of water or milk and follow with milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable oil. Take medical advice.
Caution
- Always shield eyes when working with batteries, as sparks, acid splurge etc. may hurt the eyes.
- When charging batteries, work in a well-ventilated area - never in closed spaces.
- Always turn battery charger or ignition off before disconnecting a battery.
Battery Recycling
Don't let your used battery fall into the wrong hands
Lead, a major component in all batteries, if not handled with care after use, can become hazardous and seriously harm the environment and the people around. When smelted in open furnaces, by unauthorised smelters, scrap lead particles escape into the air. Unchecked, they infect workers, permeate the soil and contaminate groundwater, pollute all organic life: vegetation, fish, meat, poultry, livestock and human beings in the process.
Even a slight exposure to lead can cause severe kidney damage, cerebro-muscular failure, a slowing down of the nervous system, abdominal discomfort, anaemia, hypertension and other major diseases. In areas exposed to open lead furnaces, there have even been cases of spontaneous abortion.
How lead pollution takes place through unauthorised smelting
Lead particles settling on the floor stick to clothes or are swept into dust
Lead is released in workplace atmosphere as dust or fumes.
Minute lead particles are ingested with food and drink.
Air borne particles settle on workmen's skin / clothing.
Lead particles being heavier enter soil and sub-soil.
Lead, inhaled by workmen, settles in the lungs.
Best way to Recycle your Battery
To recycle your battery while keeping the environment free of lead poisoning and pollution, all you need to do is return your used battery to any of our authorised dealers. This will guarantee that your used battery does not pollute the environment or endangers lives.
We at Exide collect used batteries at regular intervals from our dealers in closed trucks and have them recycled by smelters, authorised by the Ministry of Environment. We encourage dealers to collect all batteries that have lived out their service life.
Recycling Your Battery
Used batteries must be handled with care to avoid hazardous lead poisoning which can severely harm the environment and the people around. Avoid smelted the batteries in open furnaces, by unauthorised smelters, as this can result in scrap lead particles escaping into the air. This can infect humans and pollute the environment.
Save your children and the planet from lead poisoning
Handle used batteries with care. As responsible citizens, keep the planet and the generations to come, free of lead poisoning. Return your used battery to Exide authorised dealers to ensure that your used battery never pollutes the environment or endangers the health of your children.
Let us join hands to keep life on earth clean, beautiful and sustainable!
Lead, one of the most useful metals, if not treated and preserved after use, can turn hazardous
Avail of a special rebate on Exide batteries every time you return a used battery.
Return used batteries. Protect the environment.
How To Jump Start Your Vehicle
Vehicle Jump-Starting procedures as listed below should be followed carefully:
- Step 1: Ensure that vehicle battery and battery for jump-starting have the same declared voltage (say 12V).
- Step 2: Turn off all electrical loads, check vehicles - no part should be touching each other and gear should be in neutral position.
- Step 3: Vehicles should have the same terminal earthed. If not, refer to manufacturers' instructions. Make sure that cables are not frayed or damaged.
Carry out the following steps in sequence::
- Step 1: Connect the positive terminal of the jump-starting battery to the positive terminal of the stalled car battery - on the negative grounded system.
- Step 2: Connect one end of the other cable to the negative (-) terminal of the booster battery.
- Step 3: Connect the other cable away from the battery to the engine block or car frame of the vehicle to be started.
- Step 4: Make sure cables are away from fan blades and other moving vehicle parts.
- Step 5: After starting, remove cables in reverse order, starting with one connected to the engine block or car frame.
- Step 6: If the vehicle does not start within 30 seconds, call an auto electrician.
Caution
Modern vehicles with electronic management systems should not be jump-started without "protected" jump starter leads. It is necessary to refer to the owner's handbook for jump-starting procedures for such vehicles.
How To Keep Your Car Out Of Trouble
When you attempt to start your car, you may be faced with two-fold problems
a) The car engine turns well but does not start.
b) The engine itself does not turn or turns very slowly.
In case of (a) you need to check the engine, carburettor, ignition system etc.
In case of (b) if the weather is cold, the engine may take time to warm up. Be sure to check the grade of oil once. Or else, check your battery connection - in case of any problem, contact your nearest Exide dealer or BatMobile Service. Replace your vehicle battery, if it is faulty or recharge if it is low on charge and check fan belt and alternator output. Don't forget to test operating conditions. However, if battery function is smooth, check the starter motor and its connections.
Maintenance Tips
-
The battery should be firmly secured in the cradle. Please ensure that the cable clamps fit tightly & properly on the terminals.
A loosely held battery vibrates & bounces, causing damage to the container & the plates. -
The top of the battery must be kept clean & dry. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) should be applied to cable clamps & terminals. Never apply grease.
Terminal corrosion, dirt & moisture cause loss of power & make the battery weak. - Get your fan belt, electrical wiring, dynamo/ alternator, regulator & battery open circuit voltage checked regularly.
- The alternator charging voltage setting measured across the battery terminals must be maintained at 14.2- 14.4 volts for a 12 volts system & 28.4 – 28.8 volts for a 24 volts system.
- Use relevant equipment if need to open the battery.
- The electrolyte level should not be above the maximum level.
- Use only distilled water for topping. Do not top up with acid/ electrolyte/ mineral water or tap water. (if necessity arise only)
- To get maximum life, it is advised that battery & auto electrical checks be carried out once in every 3 months.
Caution
- Keep away from sparks, cigarettes & open flame. These can cause explosions.
- Avoid metallic contact across terminals, as this can result in short circuits and sparking.
- It is strongly advised not to use any additives or dopes.
- Keep out of reach of children.