1999 Lexus LS400 battery

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444
CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and explosive
hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark by contacting the battery
terminals with tools.
 Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
 Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothes.
 Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
 Wear protective safety glasses when working near
the battery.
 Keep children away from the battery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
 If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with
clean water for at l east 15 minutes and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, continue to apply
water with a sponge or cloth while traveling to the
medical office.

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If electrolyte gets on your skin, thoroughly
wash the contacted area. If you feel a pain or
burn, get medical attention immediately.
 If electrolyte gets on your clothes, there is a
possibility of its soaking through to your skin,
so immediately take off the exposed clothing
and follow the procedure above, if necessary.
 If you happen to swallow electrolyte, drink a
large quantity of water or milk. Follow with milk
of magnesia, beaten raw egg or vegetable oil.
Then go immediately for emergency help.Checking battery exterior
64L009

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446

1Terminals 2Hold±down clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
connections, cracks, or loose hold±down clamps.
1. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of
warm water and baking soda. Coat the terminals with
grease to prevent further corrosion.
2. If the connections are loose, tighten the clamp bolts
± but do not overtighten.
3. Tighten the hold±down clamp only enough to keep
the battery firmly in place. Overtightening may damage
the battery case.NOTICE
Make sure the engine and all accessories are
turned off before performing maintenance.
When checking the battery, remove the ground
cable first and reinstall it last.
Be careful not to cause a short circuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets into the batterywhen washing it.

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447
Checking battery fluid
There are 2 types of batteries: maintenance type
and non±maintenance type.
A non±maintenance battery has ºMAINTENANCE
FREE BATTERYº on its top. A maintenance type battery
does not have such indication.
Maintenance type battery
Check the fluid condition by the fluid level lines on the
side of the battery. Or if the battery has a hydrometer on
its top, you can also check the hydrometer.
Non±maintenance battery
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer on the top
of the battery. (a) Checking by the fluid level lines (Maintenance
type battery only)
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449
64L010
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer
color.
Maintenance type battery
1BLUE ± Good condition.
2WHITE ± Charging necessary. Have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.
3RED ± Add distilled water. (See ºAdding distilled
waterº on page 450.)
Non±maintenance type battery
1 BLUE ± Good condition.
2WHITE ± Charging necessary. Have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.
3RED ± Have the battery checked by your Lexus
dealer.
NOTICE
(For non±maintenance type battery):
Do not refill the battery with water.

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450
Adding distilled water
(Maintenance type battery only)
64L062

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451


1Low 2O.K.
1. Remove the vent plugs.
2. Add distilled water to cells needing fluid.
If the side of your battery is covered, check the water
level by looking down directly above the cell as
illustrated above.
3. Retighten the vent plugs securely.
NOTICE
Do not overfill the cells. Excess electrolyte
could squirt out of the battery during heavycharging, causing corrosion or damage.
Use a cover on the battery for longer life.
BATTERY RECHARGING PRECAUTIONS
During recharging, the battery is producing
hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. Maintenance type batteries ± Remove the vent plugs.
2. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle,
be sure to disconnect the ground cable.
3. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off
when connecting the charger cables to the battery and
when disconnecting them.
CAUTION
 Always charge the battery in an unconfined area. Do
not charge the battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventilation.
 Non±maintenance batteries: Only do a slow charge
(5 A or less). Charging at a quicker rate is dangerous.
The battery may explode causing personal injuries.
Maintenance type batteries: Be sure to remove the
vent plugs before recharging.

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452
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine isrunning. Also, make sure all accessories areturned off.