1997 Ford Ranger Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 275

Maintenance and Care Battery replacement If your original equipment battery requires replacement (under warranty), it may in some cases be replaced by a Motorcraft low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance battery has removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for adding water, if needed. NOTE: If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is re-installed after the battery is replaced. Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least every 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in temperatures up to 90˚F (32˚C) and more often in temperatures above 90˚F (32˚C). Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the "level" indicator. Do not overfill the battery cell. If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add plain tap water to the battery, as long as you don't use hard water, or water with a high mineral or alkali content. If possible, however, try to only fill the battery cell with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the charging system checked. Help Us Protect Our Environment Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for disposal. Battery recycling symbol 275