How to Check Car Battery Water Levels

Battery maintenance is not always done, but many times it should be. Besides making sure the posts and electric wires remain free of corrosion, check to make sure the cells inside the battery are filled to the top with good, distilled water. If a car battery is allowed to get low on water in one or more of the cells, it will not put out the factory rated power numbers.

Instructions

1

Pry the cell covers (shown in photo outlined in red) off the battery carefully; the chemicals inside are dangerous to skin and clothing.

2

Look inside each cell and determine if one of them is low on water. Each cell should be full almost to the top.

3

Add only distilled water to all the low cells until they are full.

4

Replace the cell covers carefully, preventing cracking or splashing of fluids.

5

Recharge batter if necessary; best done with a slow trickle charge if the cells were empty.