How to Check/Refill the Battery Electrolyte in a Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a comfortable, roomy, economical, dependable family car. If properly maintained, the Toyota Camry has the ability to log 200,000 miles. There are many automotive do-it-yourself repairs you can do at home including checking and refilling the battery electrolyte levels.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Park your Toyota Camry on level ground where you can work. Turn the engine off.

   • 2

     Open the hood. The hood release latch is located in front of the driver's left leg, under the steering column.

   • 3

     Look at the battery and note its six cells. Pry the caps off each cell and look at the battery fluid. There are indicator lines on the outside of each cell so you can tell whether the fluid levels are adequate.

   • 4

     Add distilled water if the fluid levels are low.

   • 5

     Put the screw caps back on the cell. Make sure the caps are tight. Clean any residual fluid with an old rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your battery fluid once a month or more often during hot summer months.

• If you have to add fluid often, have a mechanic check your battery.

• Don't use regular drinking water to fill your fluid levels, because the chemicals in it can ruin your car's battery.

• Batteries contain sulfuric acid, so use caution while working around your car's battery. If you spill sulfuric acid on your skin, wash it off immediately with cold water and seek medical attention. Wear gloves, eye protection and old clothes while you check and fill the fluid.

• If you suspect that sulfuric acid residue is on your battery, use baking soda to neutralize the acid before checking your battery.