The battery is arguably one of the most important pieces of equipment in your Nissan. After all, if the battery does not work then the vehicle in question is not going far. To avoid those annoying situations where your Nissan just won’t start, here are some tips on how drivers can ensure their battery is working condition.

A vehicle’s battery is nothing more than a large version of the batteries we are all used to. It is a chemical storage unit used to capture electrons and keep them until they are needed to start the engine or run the electrical accessories such as the lights or audio system.

Like all batteries, a car battery has a state of charge that can be measured to determine if there is enough charge to crank the engine. If the battery has removable caps, then the charge can be checked with a hydrometer. The hydrometer measures the amount of acid in the water inside the battery - the more acid, the higher the charge. Most automotive batteries must be kept at full charge, not only to ensure the vehicle will run but also to prevent damage to the battery itself.

If using a hydrometer, the readings must be corrected for temperature. A reading of 1.265 indicates a fully charged battery, 1.230 indicates a 75% charge, 1.200 indicates a 50% charge, 1.170 indicates a 25% charge, and 1.140 or less indicates a discharged battery. A battery should be at least 75% charged in order to ensure proper working order.

Most sealed top batteries will contain a charge indicator built into the battery. Although this indicator normally only measures one of the many cells within the battery, it is safe to assume that all cells share the same charge. Using this system, a green dot indicates a charge of 75% or more and is fine for further use. No dot indicates that the charge is too low and the battery should be recharged, and a yellow dot indicates that the solution is too low, and the battery should not be recharged but replaced.
Most automotive batteries will be recharged simply by driving the vehicle for 30 minutes or so. If this does not recharge the battery, then a “jump start” using battery cables can be completed. However, if the battery will not recharge or keep a charge then the battery may need to be replaced or your Nissan’s alternator should be inspected. DO NOT attempt to manually recharge a battery where the electrolyte solution is too low or frozen. Recharging a battery in this state may cause the battery to explode.

If you’re having trouble with the battery in your Nissan or need any other repairs or maintenance, stop in to our Philadelphia area Nissan dealers and be back on the road in no time.