| Answers: |
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Do I need to add
water to my battery? You may never need to add water to your Interstate
battery. But in the event that you should, most Interstate automotive batteries come with
removable vent caps. Under normal operating conditions, these "low-maintenance"
batteries will require minimal service. In hot climates and in the event of a
malfunctioning charging system, it is beneficial to own a battery that can be serviced,
and Interstate batteries are designed with this in mind. |
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Do I need to add
acid to my battery? No! Add distilled water only. When electrolyte is lost
under normal use, the water evaporates while the acid remains in the battery. Adding acid
will, therefore, alter the chemical composition of the electrolyte and cause the battery
to fail more quickly. The only time electrolyte should be added is after accidental
spillage. |
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How often should
I check my water level? If the charging system of your car is not overcharging
the battery and your car is not driven in hot places, then you may not need to add water
for about 100,000 miles. However, regularly checking the water level of your Interstate
battery is a great way to extend its life. We recommend checking it every six months in
hot climates and once a year in mild climates. An easy way to stay on top of this is to
have your mechanic check it whenever you get your oil changed.
Also, if you plan to charge your battery with a
charger, we recommend checking the water level before you charge it. |
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When should I
add water to my battery? If the lead plates of the battery are exposed, you
need to add water. To be safe, you can add water any time it falls below the proper level.
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What is the
proper water level? Ideally, the water level should be no higher than 1/8 inch
below the bottom of the vent well. To avoid irreparable damage, make sure the electrolyte level never
drops below the top of the plates. Also, avoid over watering, which may result in
electrolyte overflow. |
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How do I check
my water level and add water? Interstate low-maintenance batteries have
removable vent caps, which may be pried off with a flat-head screwdriver. Once removed,
you will see individual vent wells. Look down into each individual cell to make sure that
the water is covering the lead plates and is at the proper level. Add water to any cells
that are low on water. Always use distilled water to fill the battery in order to prevent
chemicals from contaminating the battery. Be careful not to overfill the vent wells. The
fluid should cover the lead plates in the battery and be no higher than 1/8 inch below the
bottom of the vent well. |
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Should I add
aspirin or other additives to extend my battery life? No. We recommend adding
nothing but distilled water. No other additives have been proven to extend battery life
and may actually decrease it. |
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Isn't a sealed
no-maintenance battery better? Actually, a low-maintenance battery with
removable vent caps has advantages over a sealed no-maintenance battery. Access to the
cells allows you or your mechanic to:
- Extend the life of your battery when water evaporation has occurred and delay the
purchase of a new one. If a sealed no-maintenance battery has water evaporation or if it
is affected by a charging system problem, nothing can be done to extend the life of the
battery; it must be replaced.
- Perform a specific gravity test on each cell with a hydrometer, which may reveal
important information about the state of the battery, including if one or more of the
cells is defective. This test may not be performed on a sealed battery.
Although most Interstate batteries are low-maintenance, we do offer a line of
Interstate sealed no-maintenance batteries for cars, trucks and deep-cycle applications. |
