Battery System: Battery: Description

Large capacity, low-maintenance storage batteries are standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The primary battery is located in the engine compartment on all models. A second auxiliary battery may be installed under the passengers front seat for running additional electrical equipment.

Male post type terminals made of a soft lead material protrude from the top of the molded plastic battery case to provide the means for connecting the battery to the vehicle electrical system. The battery positive terminal post is physically larger in diameter than the negative terminal post to ensure proper battery connection. The letters POS  and NEG  are also molded into the top of the battery case adjacent to their respective positive and negative terminal posts for identification confirmation. Refer to BATTERY CABLES  that connect the battery to the vehicle electrical system.

The battery is made up of six individual cells that are connected in series. Each cell contains positively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the positive terminal post, and negatively charged plate groups that are connected with lead straps to the negative terminal post. Each plate consists of a stiff mesh framework or grid coated with lead dioxide (positive plate) or sponge lead (negative plate). Insulators or plate separators made of a non-conductive material are inserted between the positive and negative plates to prevent them from contacting or shorting against one another. These dissimilar metal plates are submerged in a sulfuric acid and water solution called an electrolyte.

The factory-installed low-maintenance battery has removable battery cell caps.  Water can be added to this battery. The chemical composition of the metal coated plates within the low-maintenance battery reduces battery gassing and water loss, at normal charge and discharge rates. Therefore, the battery should not require additional water in normal service. Rapid loss of electrolyte can be caused by an overcharging condition. Be certain to diagnose the charging system before returning the vehicle to service.