Battery - Maintenance and Storage Tips
Classification: EL93-023bSection: Electrical
Reference: SERVICE ADVISORY NTB93-125b
Models: See Below
Date: December 16, 1993
VEHICLE BATTERY MAINTENANCE/STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
This is the latest version of the previously-issued Service Advisory NTB93-125a(EL93-023a). Please discard prior versions and replace it with this latest Service Advisory.
APPLIED MODELS:
All Stored Vehicles in Dealer Inventory
SERVICE INFORMATION:
As electrical systems on vehicles become more complex, there is an increased need for proper storage and maintenance to keep batteries properly charged while in Dealer inventory. It is the Dealer's responsibility to maintain vehicles while in Dealer inventory to prevent batteries from becoming discharged and possibly damaged from being left in a discharged condition for a long period of time.
RECOMMENDED STORAGE/MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES:
The recommendations, described below, have been developed to assist Dealers in preventing dead batteries on vehicles in dealer inventory.
PRIMARY LOTS:
1. Check vehicles dally to ensure that doors, hood, and trunk lid are fully closed.
2. Vehicles should be started and run on a regular basis. The following represent optional intervals:
a. All Models = 10 minutes, at least once per week. or
b. If not practical to run the vehicle, the battery can be maintained by checking batteries every 30 days and charging, if open circuit voltage is less than 12.4 volts [75% charge].
SECONDARY LOTS:
1. Check vehicles daily to ensure that doors, hood and trunk lid are fully closed.
2. Vehicles should be started and run on a regular basis. The following represent optional intervals:
a. All Models = 10 minutes, at least once per week.
or
b. If not practical to run the vehicle, the battery can be maintained by checking batteries every 30 days and charging, if open circuit voltage is less than 12.4 volts [75% charge].
Optional Procedure
1. Disconnect negative (-) cable at battery.
2. Check battery every 30 days and charge, if open circuit voltage is less than 12.2 volts (50% charge).
3. Connect and properly tighten negative (-) cable before moving vehicles.
SHOWROOM:
1 a. Disconnect negative (-) cable at battery.(*)
or
b. Check battery voltage every 2 days and charge, if open circuit voltage is less than 12.4 volts [75% charge].
2. Connect and properly tighten negative (-) cable before moving vehicles.
(*) NOTE:
If the vehicle is equipped with a Motorized Passive Restraint Seat Belt System, the system must be attached and fully operational during Dealership normal business hours. In other words, a vehicle displayed for sale, equipped (with Motorized Passive Restraint Seat Belt System), during normal business hours, must have its battery connected so that a potential buyer will be able to use and operate the Motorized Passive Restraint Seat Belt System on the displayed vehicle at any time.