does a car battery need water? do car batteries need water? These are very common questions and have been answered by experts.
This is an in-depth look at whether or not you should add water to a car battery to keep it alive, will overwatering a battery kill it, and how often do you need to check batteries for water. I will look at the pros and cons of adding distilled water to your car battery carefree.
Do Car Batteries Need Water?
Adding water to a car battery seems like a good idea, but it is not. Since it is really hard to gauge when a battery needs water and that could result in damaging the battery.
One problem is you can not see inside the battery case so you don’t know how full it is before adding water, nor do you know if it has a vent or fill cap so when adding water you will most likely end up with a mess.
You also run the risk of overfilling it and damaging the battery case, or worse yet flooding a car engine! When was the last time you took your battery out to check for water? I am guessing never.
I would recommend that you have the car checked by the nearest auto professional.
How do you know when your car battery needs water?
As we discussed earlier in this article, you need to check the water level from time to time. Check the level each month; if you have a battery gauge that will tell you how much water is left. If you do not have a gauge then just add enough water to fill the float balance.
Are you supposed to put water in a car battery?
I have never had a battery that would not accept water. I think the main reason you should not add water is that it will most likely flow backwards into your engine, this can be an expensive repair.
Having said that, you are supposed to add distilled water to your car battery and only distilled water. There is no need for you to put any other liquid in your car battery, this includes Ice Juice (I jest), Lemon Juice, or Ice Tea you will only add harm to your car battery and cause damage.
What happens if no water in car battery?
The most common reason for a car battery dying is that the level of electrolyte (sulfuric acid) has dropped below the plates. The sulfuric acid reacts with the lead and produces electricity, this is how your car becomes powered. If there is no sulfuric acid then there will be no power for your car engine. If you have noticed a lack of power and are having trouble starting your car, then check the water levels in your car battery.
Can you use bottled water in a battery?
It is possible to use bottled distilled water in your car battery. This is because it does not have any corrosive ingredients like flush water, and you are adding it in small amounts.
Only distilled water should go into your car battery, anything else will cause corrosion unless you add dilute acid. Unflavored bottled water can also be used, but why subject your battery to any additional unknowns?
What is a Battery float balance?
You may have seen the label on your car battery that says ‘float’ or ‘float level’. This means that if you add water to the liquid inside of the battery then the level of this liquid rises. This liquid is called sulfuric acid (lead sulfate).
What fluid goes in the car battery?
There is only one thing that will work in your car battery and that is distilled water. You should always check your levels first before adding water. You can use a hydrometer to take a reading of the electrolyte (acid) level in your battery and give you an accurate reading. This is cheap and easy to do.
What drains a car battery while it is off?
Car battery drains while it is off because there is no power to sustain the current. The battery runs dry and stops working. This happens more often than you think because people do not notice it happening. The best way to prevent a dead car battery from happening is to keep the water levels at the proper level.
discharge your car battery completely then add distilled (or reverse osmosis (RO) water) to bring it back up to full. One of the most common reasons for a car battery dying is that it has been neglected and has a corrosion problem.
A corrosion problem can also cause damage to your starter & alternator, which will end up costing you more money in repairs.
Conclusion on adding water to battery
The best way to maintain your car battery is to do monthly water checks. There are many people that try to save money by not adding water, but in the long run, this will cost them more, as a drained car battery could damage their engine which could end up costing more than just adding water!
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.