If my stock battery isn't holding a charge (1:00 on the clock everytime I start) should I add some water to it?

Or would I have to replace it? (brand suggestions?)

 

Unless you own certain models of German cars, you never have to add distilled water to the battery. Most batteries are sealed and maintenance free.

Have your mechanic do a charging test. If you do need a replacement, either get the OEM battery or Sears Diehard - which is rated highly in Consumer Reports. Note that some Diehards don't have an "eye" for visual check on battery condition.

 

Carry jumper cables and take precautions that you are not left stranded as these are classic symptons of batterey failure. Hopefully you can revive it.

Check the magic eye.

Open the filler holes and inspect the level. Normal level is above the plates top edge and below the filler tube. Add distilled water if the level is low.

Charge the battery overnight.

If all of the above fails it is time to get a new batterey. (many shops will test your old battery under load for free).

Generally the batterey should last 3yrs.

Please buy "sealed" or no maintainance batterey only.

Optima red top or yellow top ($$$$) got rave reviews in GS Forum. (available at Pep boys). Note they are not drop-in replacement (terminals are a little bit further in and height adapter tray is needed ... new optimas come with a snap ontray). Application charts for Optima will not match RX but they can be made to fit. Interstate, diehard and exide are good brands too.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Salim

 

The most common reason for low battery acid level is a discharged, or partially discharged, battery. Battery acid levels drop when a battery is discharged, and rise again as a battery is charged. Adding distilled water and then charging a battery will very often cause too high a level of battery acid and result in the overlow of battery acid into the engine compartment.

Although winter is past, another potential problem is that discharged batteries can freeze in cold weather; and charging a frozen battery can really cause nasty things to happen.

 

bob2200:

My observation has been the reverse of what you stated. The acidity does rise on charging the battery but I had to add distilled water as the Hydrogen and Oxygen are released. Your comment about frozen battery are valid.

I do not claim to know all .... I am the same person who knew that H2 and O2 are produced when you charge the battery, but thought the quantity was very low ... So me and my friend lit a match to check. The battery exloped and we were lucky that the acid did not splatter on us. This was many years back when I was in Jr. high.

[NOw I never put jumper cables dirtectly on the batterey terminals .... the chasis gnd (-) gets connected last and far from the battery.:

Salim

 

That's the advice I see in all car owner's manuals. They always say put it on the chassis or engine block instead of the negative terminal. However, I could never jump start any of my cars that way. I always end up having to clamp the cable on the negative terminal, and the car starts right up.

No, I never had a battery explode on me.