Renault Premium DXi 11, Service Manual

Page: 354 / 400

E23-4
Features - servicing
Checking
Prior to checking the electrolyte level, clean the filler plugs and their surrounds. The elec-
trolyte level must stay at 3 cm above the plates. Top up with distilled water, if necessary.
Resistance to freezing depends on the state of charge. In addition, the available capacity of
a fully charged battery varies with temperature as follows:
100% at 27°C
66% at 0°C
41% at -20°C
Never use a naked flame near the cell vents (risk of explosion) .
Checking the state of charge:
Carry out this operation on a battery while in the idle state (battery not having been charged
for 2 hours) or after a run: switch on the headlights for 5 minutes, switch them off and wait
for 3 minutes before making the check. Measure the voltage across the terminals (battery
isolation switch contacts fully open) (see table). This should be slightly higher than the rated
voltage. A lower voltage indicates that the battery needs recharging. To ascertain the exact
condition of the battery, use a battery tester.
Trickle charge the batteries at 1/10
th
of their capacity for 10 hours.
If the state of charge is below 80%, recharge the batteries and conduct an electrical check-up
on the vehicle.
If a battery has to be removed, always disconnect the negative (-) terminal first.
When refitting a battery, always start with the positive (+) terminal. Terminal post tightening
torque: 0.65 daNm.
The difference in specific gravity between cells must not exceed 0.030.
No-load
voltage (V)
Specific gravit
(g/cm
3
)
State of
charge (%)
Temperature withstood (°C)
12.8 1.273 100 -70
12.6 1.241 80 -45
12.4 1.205 60 -35
12.2 1.170 40 -20
11.9 1.130 20 -15
11.7 1.080 0 -5