Note: Recommended frequency: every 12,000 km or 6 months.
Warning! Charging batteries produces an explosive gas mixture.
Warning! When working with wires and electrical devices, smoking, using open flames, sparking devices, or open fire-hazardous lighting devices is prohibited. Avoid creating sparks when handling wires and electrical devices.
Warning! Never directly connect battery terminals—there is a high risk of injury due to strong sparking.
Caution! When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle's electrical system, disconnect the negative cable first, then the positive cable. Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is running, as this will damage the electrical system's electronic components.
Checking the battery status
Only regular battery maintenance ensures fast and reliable engine starting.
Before servicing the battery, turn off the engine and all electrical consumers, then disconnect the negative cable from the negative battery terminal.
Check the external condition of the battery case and terminals. Check the condition of the rubber boots covering the battery terminals. Check that the wire end and terminal connections are free from oxidation and are securely tightened. Also check the entire length of the wires connected to the battery for cracks or damage to the insulation.
(The original publication can be found on the website ToyotaMan.ru)
If there are signs of corrosion in the form of white flakes on the terminals, remove and clean the battery.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery first, then the positive cable.
Figure 2.11. Location of the battery cross clamp mounting nuts
Remove the nuts, lift the cross clamp and remove the battery from the vehicle (figure 2.11).
Figure 2.12. Using a wire brush to clean the inside of a battery cable terminal
Using a wire brush, clean the outside and inside of the terminals on the wires, then rinse them with a warm solution of baking soda (figure 2.12).
Clean the battery terminals in the same manner, being careful not to let water or baking soda get into the battery cells.
Check the condition of the battery support bracket.
Charging the battery
Caution: When connecting or disconnecting the charger terminals from the battery, the charger must be turned off.
Periodic charging of the battery is the easiest way to maintain the battery capacity, especially when using the vehicle on short trips with frequent engine starts.
Keeping your battery charged is especially important during the winter when it is under heavy load. At low temperatures, the battery delivers less current when starting the engine than it could at positive temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended to check the battery before the start of the winter season and charge it if necessary.
Remove the battery from the vehicle before charging.
For charging, use a charger or a charger-starter. Charge the battery with a current equal to 0.05–0.1 of the battery capacity until the electrolyte density stops increasing over 4 hours.
It is not recommended to use high current to quickly charge the battery, as this may cause the plates to warp due to overheating.
During battery charging, the electrolyte temperature should not exceed 37.8°C.