Low Maintenance Battery - Service Requirements
414-02DATE
6/97
XK8
MODEL
1997 MY-ON
XK8 Range
VIN
001001-ON
Low Maintenance Battery - Recommended Practices
Issue:
Recent Jaguar vehicles have been equipped, in production, with VARTA low maintenance batteries. This does not mean maintenance-free.
The electrolyte level must not fall below the "minimum" marking regardless of whether the battery is the original equipment VARTA battery, a replacement VARTA supplied via Jaguar Parts, or any other replacement battery.
Action:
As a minimum requirement, check the electrolyte level at every routine service interval and top up if necessary. In normal climates, perform this check at least once per year, regardless of mileage. In hot climatic conditions - if the vehicle is operated in ambient temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F) for one month or longer, check the electrolyte level at least every 3 months, regardless of mileage.
Check the electrolyte level as described below:
ALL BATTERIES
Always follow appropriate health and safety precautions when servicing batteries.
WARNING:
BATTERY HANDLING
^ Hydrogen, which is highly explosive, is emitted, particularly during charging of the battery.
^ Do not smoke.
^ Avoid sparks, short circuits or other sources of ignition. Switch off ignition and all accessories before making or breaking electrical connections.
^ Always disconnect the ground terminal first and reconnect it last.
^ Avoid contact with battery acid.
^ Battery acid is poisonous and corrosive, it will cause burns to the skin as well as to the eyes. In the event of skin or eye contact, flush the affected area with water and, in the case of eye contact, seek urgent medical attention.
1. Do not disconnect the battery cables prior to checking the level of the electrolyte with the battery installed in the vehicle.
2. Do not connect a 12 volt test lamp to the battery terminals. In certain circumstances, a spark generated during connection could cause an explosion.
Use a hand-held flashlight when checking the level of the electrolyte.
3. If the battery is fully charged, remove the filler plugs or covers, check the electrolyte level. Add distilled or deionized water until the level is raised to the "maximum" marking. Replace the filler plugs or covers.
PROCEDURE FOR VARTA ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT & REPLACEMENT BATTERIES
On a fully charged battery, at a normal temperature of 20°C (68°F), the electrolyte level should just touch the integral filling level indicator, visible as a tab projecting from the side of each filler plug hole. (Illustration 1).
In addition to the electrolyte level indicator tab in each cell, VARTA batteries also feature "maximum" and "minimum" level lines molded on each "long" side of the translucent battery casing, through which the electrolyte level should be visible.
Top up if necessary using distilled or deionized water. Replace the filler plugs.
PROCEDURE FOR OTHER BATTERIES
If the battery is fully charged, check and, if necessary, top up the electrolyte distilled or deionized water:
- according to the manufacturer's instructions, or
- to any obvious level indicator, or
- ensure that the level is 6 - 8 mm (14 - 5/16 inch) above the top of the plates, while leaving air space between the electrolyte and the bottom of the filler plug thread.
Fully topping up the electrolyte level of a partially charged battery may lead to overflowing of electrolyte when the battery is subsequently fully charged.
WARRANTY POLICY
It is the dealer's responsibility to maintain batteries on new and used in-stock vehicles. Claims for lack of maintenance will not be accepted.