Check The Battery Electrolyte Level - Volvo 121 Servicing

SERVICING
Electrical system
27

Check the battery electrolyte level

The electrolyte level should be checked when the fuel tank is being filled.
The electrolyte level should be 5-10 mm (
the cell plates. Top up with distilled water if necessary. Never add too
much distilled water since this can cause the acid to splash over and
result in corrosion on the parts of the engine around the battery. Never
check the electrolyte level by lighting a match. The gases formed in the
cells are very explosive.
28 Check the state of charge of the battery
The state of charge of the battery should be checked after every 10 000
km (6 000 miles). This check is carried out with the help of a hydro-
meter, this showing the specific gravity of the electrolyte which varies
with the state of charge, see page 57. During the winter the state of
charge must be checked more often since a fully charged battery is more
resistant to frost damage than a half charged one.
29 Check headlight alignment
The alignment of the headlights should be checked in a Volvo workshop
after every 10 000 km (6 000 miles). Remember that the section of the
road lit up by the headlights can vary depending on the loading of the
vehicle.
Replacement of bulbs
To obtain maximum lighting power and to ensure against lamps going
out, the headlight lamps should be changed every year, suitably in the
autumn. Some of the bulbs have two functions, for example the headlight
bulbs which have filaments for both full and dipped lights. The guide
pins on the sockets of these bulbs are either of different thickness or
they are staggered so that the bulbs can only be fitted in one definite
position. Certain makes of bulbs have a
this should be turned upwards.
Replacing the roof light bulb
When replacing the roof light bulb
the lamp shade is pulled straight
out.
When fitting headlight bulbs do not touch
the glass with your fingers. The reason
for this is that grease, oil or any other
i mpurities can be carbonized onto the
bulb and this can cause damage to the
reflector.
/16- /8") over the top of
3 3
"Top"
mark on the socket and