Owner`s manual

37
MAINTENANCE
Read all of this manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings, and Dangers.
To reduce the possibility of damage to vehicle or floor, neutralize acid before rinsing battery.
To reduce the possibility of damage to electrical components while cleaning, do not use a pressure washer.
Cleaning should take place per the Periodic Service Schedule.
When cleaning the outside of the batteries and terminals, do not use a water hose without first spraying the batteries
with a solution of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water to neutralize any acid deposits. Use of a water hose
without first neutralizing the acid will move the acid from the top of the batteries to another area of the vehicle or storage
facility, where it will attack the metal structure or the concrete/asphalt floor. After hosing down the batteries, a residue
will be left on the batteries which is conductive and will contribute to the discharge of the batteries.
To reduce the possibility of battery explosion that could result in severe injury or death, do not use metallic spray
wand to clean battery and keep all smoking materials, open flame or sparks away from the battery.
The correct cleaning technique is to spray the top and sides of the batteries with a solution of baking soda and water.
This solution is best applied with a garden-type sprayer equipped with a non-metallic spray wand or plastic spray bottle.
The solution should consist of 1/4 cup (60 ml) of baking soda mixed with 1 1/2 gallons (6 liters) of clear water. In addi-
tion to the batteries special attention should be paid to metallic components adjacent to the batteries, these should also
be sprayed with the baking soda solution.
Allow the solution
to set for at least
three minutes; use
a soft bristle brush
or cloth to wipe the
tops of the batter-
ies in order to
remove any resi-
due that could
cause the self-dis-
charge of the bat-
tery. Rinse the
entire area with
low pressure clear
water. All of the
items required for
complete battery
cleaning and
watering are con-
tained in the Bat-
tery Maintenance
Kit (P/N 25587-
G01).
Cleaning should
take place once a
month or more
often under
extreme condi-
tions. After batter-
ies are clean and
dry, the terminals should be coated with a commercially available protectant. Aerosol containers of battery terminal
protectant must be used with extreme care. Insulate the metal container to prevent the can from contacting the
battery terminals.
Battery Removal and Replacement
Remove battery hold downs and cables. Lift out batteries with a commercially available lifting device.
If the batteries have been cleaned and any acid in the battery rack areas neutralized as recommended, no corrosion to
the battery racks or surrounding area should be present. Any corrosion found should be immediately removed with a
NOTICE
1 1/2 GAL (6 Liters) Water
Non-Metalic Wand
OR
1/4 Cup (60 ML)
Baking Soda
2 GAL (8 Liters)
Garden Sprayer
(1 1/2 GAL (6 Liters)
Baking Soda Solution
Preparing Acid Neutralizing Solution
1 quart
(1 liter)
Clear Water
2 Teaspoons
(10 ml)
Sodium
Bicarbonate
(Baking Soda)
Plastic
Spray
Bottle