1999 Mercury Mystique Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 177

Maintenance and care If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals, remove the cables from the terminal(s) and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion. Battery replacement If your original equipment battery requires replacement while under warranty, it will be replaced with a Motorcraft service battery, identical in design technology. Like the original equipment battery, it should not require water addition during its normal life of service; however, for severe service usage or in high temperature climates, refer to the maintenance guide and or service guide for additional information. 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 do not use hard water (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. 177