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How do you know when your car battery needs water?
I recently learned that car batteries occasionally need water. Since this hasn't been a part of my maintenance routine, I am unsure of what to do. How will I know when the battery needs water?
Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Some car batteries do need water, but don’t worry, it’s not like a plant; you don’t need to water your battery!
Instead, you just occasionally should look at your battery and see how its water levels are doing. Of course, if your battery is a sealed, maintenance-free battery, this is something you won’t have to worry about at all.
Check to see if your battery has a green light on top. This usually tells you if the water level is good. If it’s gone dark then your battery needs water, or if it turned yellow then your battery needs some assistance.
You should not mess with your car battery on your own! Batteries are full of chemicals that can be dangerous. If you think your battery needs water, it is best to visit a mechanic and have them do it for you. It is also good to note that the mechanic will not use tap water for this process but instead a special deionized water.
Ways to tell that your battery might need some help include:
- Your car is slow to start
- Dim lights
- Faulty or flickering electrical components
If you’re not sure, then it’s a good time to ask a mechanic. You can access a mechanic hotline for help through the
Jerry
app’s roadside assistance membership. They can help you safely diagnose what your car problems might be without you worrying about getting dangerous battery fluids on yourself.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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