Suzuki 2006 SX4 Service Manual page 416

1J-2 Charging System:
Care of battery
WARNING
!
• Never expose battery to open flame or electric spark because of battery generate gas which is
flammable and explosive.
• Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or painted surfaces as fluid is a corrosive
acid. Flush any contacted area with water immediately and thoroughly.
• Batteries should always be kept out of reach of children.
1) The battery is a very reliable component, but needs periodical attentions.
• Keep the battery carrier clean.
• Prevent rust formation on the terminal posts.
• Keep the electrolyte up to the upper level uniformly in all cells.
• When keeping battery on vehicle over a long period of time, follow instructions given below.
– Weekly, start the engine and run it until it reaches normal operating temperature with engine speed of 2000 to
3000 rpm. Make sure all electric switches are off before storing the vehicle.
– Recharge the battery twice a month to prevent it from discharging excessively. This is especially important
when ambient temperature is low.
The battery discharges even when it is not used, while vehicles are being stored. Battery electrolyte can
freeze and battery case can crack at cold ambient condition if battery is not properly charged.
2) Keep the battery cable connections clean.
The cable connections, particularly at the positive (+) terminal post, tend to become corroded. The product of
corrosion, or rust, on the mating faces of conductors resists the flow of current.
Clean the terminals and fittings periodically to ensure good metal-to-metal contact, and grease the connections
after each cleaning to protect them against rusting.
3) Be always in the know as to the state of charge of the battery. The simplest way to tell the state of charge is to
carry out a hydrometer test. The hydrometer is an instrument for measuring the specific gravity (S.G.) of the
battery electrolyte. The S.G. of the electrolyte is indicative of the state of charge. Refer to "Battery Inspection".