Mazda Mazda5 Owner's Manual page 325

qBattery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
Keep it securely mounted.
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Keep the top clean and dry.
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Keep terminals and connections clean,
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tight, and coated with petroleum jelly
or terminal grease.
Rinse off spilled electrolyte
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immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda.
If the vehicle will not be used for an
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extended time, disconnect the battery
leads and charge the battery every six
weeks.
Owner Maintenance
qInspecting Electrolyte Level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Upper level
Lower level
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once a
week. If it's low, remove the caps and add
enough distilled water to bring the level
between the upper and lower level
(illustration).
Don't overfill.
Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it's low, recharge
the battery.
qBattery Recharging
NOTE
Before performing maintenance or
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recharging the battery, turn off all
accessories and stop the engine.
To disconnect the battery, remove the
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negative lead first. Install it last when
connecting the battery.
Be sure to remove the caps before
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recharging the battery.
Maintenance and Care
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