Battery Maintenance
The maintenance of an auto battery involves periodic checking of the battery to ensure that your car runs smoothly.
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 Handling
It is extremely important to be cautious while handling a battery, as it can cause several hazards. Some of the possible risks are mentioned below to direct motorists to handle car batteries with utmost care:
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.
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.
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.
Battery Recycling
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.