Airstream 2013 Classic Owner's Manual page 95

Neglect is expensive. Care costs little. Check your batteries regularly. Follow
these guidelines to extend the life of your low-maintenance battery:
1. Maintain Water Level. ADD DISTILLED WATER TO CELLS AS NECESSARY.
Check the electrolyte level at least once a month. When you are traveling steadily
and for an extended period of time, or if you are in climates above 90 degrees F,
check the electrolyte level about every two weeks. Your battery has removable
vent caps, you should regularly check the water level and add distilled water
when it is low. Do not add water to a battery in freezing temperatures unless
the vehicle will be put to use at once, otherwise the added water may freeze.
Do not fill battery above the split ring in filler opening. DO NOT MEASURE
SPECIFIC GRAVITY IMMEDIATELY after adding water. The water must mix with
the electrolyte by charging or by driving a few miles.
2. Keep Terminals Clean. Visually inspect the terminals and cables at least
once a year, especially in hot temperatures, for signs of corrosion. If dirty or
corroded, the battery terminals and the inside portion of the cable connector
should be scraped or brushed until both of these surfaces are shiny bright. The
cable connectors should then be reconnected to the battery and tightened.
This will ensure a good connection and proper starting. RECONNECT THE
BATTERY CABLES TO THE CORRECT BATTERY POSTS. The black cable
should be connected to the negative (-) post and the red cable to the (+) post.
The polarity of your tow vehicle must also be negative (-) ground since it must
always match the trailer. Most tow vehicles are negative grounded, but always
check your vehicle owner's manual to be sure. The complete assembly, battery
post and cable connector should be coated with heavy body mineral grease,
petroleum grease or petroleum jell.
3) Keep Case Clean. Keep the top of the battery clean of heavy dirt and oil with
a cloth dampened by ammonia or a 50/50 solution of baking soda and water.
Then rinse with clear water and allow to thoroughly dry. Care must be used to
make sure soda is not allowed to enter battery cells.
4) Keep Battery Charged. If your vehicle is not used regularly, it may be necessary
to charge your battery before use. Lack of use is hard on a battery. Any unused
battery, regardless of its chemistry, will self-discharge over time and, if allowed
to remain discharged, will undergo severe positive grid corrosion and battery
failure. The rate of discharge depends on the type of battery and the storage
temperature. So, it's important to keep your battery charged by connecting you
shoreline monthly. If you prefer that your mechanic take care of your battery, be
sure to ask him (1) to maintain the water level and (2) to keep the connections
and case clean of corrosion and dirt.
As batteries age, do their maintenance requirements change? Yes. Typically
the specific gravity gets higher and gassing increases due to some battery
deterioration and/or loss of reserve capacity. An older battery normally requires
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