
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
Battery
2005 FE350 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement
Page 12-39
12
Vibration Damage
The battery hold-down clamp should always be tight enough to keep the battery from bouncing. Battery life
may be severely shortened if the clamp is too loose. Excessive vibration shortens the life of the battery. It may
also cause acid to leak out of the vent caps and corrosion to build up on surrounding metal parts. The acid
which is lost reduces the capacity of the battery and cannot be replaced.
Mineral Content
For the longest battery life, distilled water should be used in the battery; however, if tap water is going to be
used, contact your local water department to be sure mineral contents are below the levels listed in the fol-
lowing table.
See following NOTE.
NOTE:
Contact your local water department for mineral content analysis.
Figure 12-44 Battery Water Level
IMPURITY
ALLOWABLE CONTENT
(PARTS PER MILLION)
Suspended matter
Trace
Total solids
100.0
Calcium and Magnesium
Oxides
40.0
Iron
5.0
Ammonia
8.0
Organic matter
50.0
Nitrates
10.0
Nitrites
5.0
Chloride
5.0
WATER LEVEL
AT LEAST
1/2 INCH (13 MM)
ABOVE PLATES
OR TO LEVEL
INDICATOR
PLATES
BATTERY CAP