nt caps may allow electrolyte to be thrown out of the cell by the
motion of the car on the road. A poorly sealed battery allows
electrolyte to be thrown out through the cracks left between the
sealing compound and the jars or posts. The leaks may be caused by the
battery cables not having sufficient slack, and pulling on the
terminals.

The cap which fits over the vent tube at the center of the top of each
cell is pierced by one or more holes through which gases formed within
the cell may escape. These holes must be kept open; otherwise the
pressure of the gases may blow off the top of the cell. If these holes
are found to be clogged with dirt they should be cleaned out
thoroughly.

The wooden battery case should also be kept clean and dry. If the
battery is suspended from the frame of the car, dirt and mud from the
road will gradually cover the case, and this mud should be scraped off
frequently. Occasionally wash the case with a rag wet with ammonia, or
hot baking soda solution. Keep the case, especially along the top
edges, coated with asphaltum or some other acid proof paint.

[Fig. 29 Battery held in place by "hold-down" bolts]

4. The battery must be held down firmly. If the battery is contained
in an iron box mounted on the running-board, or in a compartment in
the body of the car having a door at the side of the running-board, it
is usually fastened in place by long bolts which hook on the handles
or the battery case. These bolts, which are known as "hold-downs,"
generally pass through the running board or compartment, Fig. 29, and
are generally fastened in place by nuts. These nuts should be turned
up so that the battery is held down tight.

Other methods are also used to hold the battery in place, but whatever
the method, it is vital to the battery that it be held down firmly so
that the jolting of the car cannot cause it to move. The battery has
rubber jars which are brittle, and which are easily broken. Even if a
battery is held down firmly, it is jolted about to a considerable
extent, and with a loosely fastened battery, the jars are bound to be
cracked and broken.

5. The cables connected to the battery must have sufficient slack so
that they will not pull on the battery terminals, as this will result
in leaks, and possibly a broken cover.

The terminals on a battery should be in such a position that the
cables may be connected to them easily, and without bending and
twisting them. These cables