Mazda 2: Battery
WARNING
Read the following
precautions carefully before using the battery or inspecting to
ensure safe and correct handling:
Always wear eye
protection when working near the battery:
Working without eye protection is dangerous. Battery fl uid contains SULPHURIC
ACID which could cause blindness if splashed into your eyes. Also, hydrogen gas
produced during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to
explode.
Wear eye protection and
protective gloves to prevent contact with battery fl uid:
Spilled battery fl uid is dangerous.
Battery fl uid contains SULPHURIC ACID which could cause serious injuries if it gets in eyes, or on the skin or clothing. If this happens, immediately fl ush your eyes with water for 15 minutes or wash your skin thoroughly and get medical attention.
Always keep batteries
out of the reach of children:
Allowing children to play near batteries is dangerous. Battery fl uid could
cause serious
injuries if it gets in the eyes or on the skin.
Keep fl ames and sparks
away from open battery cells and do not allow metal
tools to contact the positive (
) or
negative (
) terminal of the battery
when working
near a battery. Do not allow the positive (
) terminal to contact the vehicle body:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.
An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries. Keep all fl ames
including
cigarettes and sparks away from open battery cells.
Keep all fl ames,
including cigarettes, and sparks away from open battery cells:
Flames and sparks near open battery cells are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could ignite and cause the battery to explode.
An
exploding battery can cause serious burns and injuries.
NOTE
Before performing battery maintenance, remove the battery cover by pressing the tab.
Battery Maintenance
To get the best service from a battery:
- Keep it securely mounted.
- Keep the top clean and dry.
- Keep terminals and connections clean, tight, and coated with petroleum jelly or terminal grease.
- Rinse off spilled electrolyte immediately with a solution of water and baking soda.
- If the vehicle will not be used for an extended time, disconnect the battery leads and charge the battery every six weeks.
Inspecting Electrolyte Level *
A low level of electrolyte fl uid will cause the battery to discharge quickly.
Inspect the electrolyte level at least once a week. If it is low, remove the caps and add enough distilled water to bring the level between the upper and lower level (illustration).
Do not overfi ll.
Examine the specifi c gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially during cold weather. If it is low, recharge the battery.
Battery Recharging
NOTE
- Before performing maintenance or recharging the battery, turn off all accessories and stop the engine.
- To disconnect the battery, remove the negative lead fi rst. Install it last when connecting the battery.
- Be sure to remove the caps before recharging the battery.
- (With i-stop system) Do not quick-charge the battery.
- If the battery quickly discharges because, for example, the lights were left on too long with the engine off, slow-charge it as required by battery size and charger capacity.
- If the battery gradually discharges because of high electric load while the vehicle is being used, recharge it as required by battery size and charger capacity.
Battery Replacement
Contact an Authorised Mazda Dealer for a battery replacement purchase.
