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Car Battery question
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2023 5:55 pm
by Alex88
I know this is a proper noob question, but I've just bought a new battery and it has some caps on the side of it; red and black. Do I take those off when I've fitted the battery?
There is also a small red vent tube that came with it.
Cheers
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:04 pm
by Mito Man
Depends on the car, if it’s inside the cabin or boot you’ll vent it out one of the sides and keep the opposite closed - just copy the old battery.
If it’s in the engine bay you open the bungs but don’t need to use the vent tube.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:28 pm
by Alex88
Cheers. It's in the engine bay so I'm going to remove both of them.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:17 pm
by mik
Yes - caps are just on to protect the terminals until you got it (and to reinforce which is which).
If your car has a vent tube there will be one fitted already to the current battery. Either reuse that, or replicate it’s path with the new one.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:40 am
by Alex88
Thanks Mik. Old battery had both vent plugs removed so I just whipped them off the new battery too. It hasn't exploded yet
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:53 am
by Gavin
mik wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:17 pm
Yes - caps are just on to protect the terminals until you got it (and to reinforce which is which).
If your car has a vent tube there will be one fitted already to the current battery. Either reuse that, or replicate it’s path with the new one.
Different plugs, not the terminal caps. (I saw on FaceAche)
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 5:44 pm
by Explosive Newt
Follow on noob question -
Why does a battery need a vent tube?
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:23 pm
by Jobbo
The traditional lead acid batteries are not sealed because they give off gas. If you don’t allow them to vent they can explode. A vent tube is to make sure any acid in the gas emitted is routed to the exterior.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 12:56 pm
by scotta
Fuck sake. This place has gone to the dogs. In days gone by nobody would have been this helpful. We would have actively encouraged the covers to be left on then took the piss when the car wouldn't start. I for one am disgusted. What a bunch of (helpful) cvnts.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 8:58 pm
by Barry
scotta wrote: Tue Sep 16, 2025 12:56 pm
Fuck sake. This place has gone to the dogs. In days gone by nobody would have been this helpful. We would have actively encouraged the covers to be left on then took the piss when the car wouldn't start. I for one am disgusted. What a bunch of (helpful) cvnts.
..and no one suggested laying it on its side to save weight.. disappoint.
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 9:44 pm
by V8Granite
This was clearly bubbling away in your mind, I'm glad you could get it out after all this time
Dave!
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2025 11:46 am
by Alex88
I didn't explain myself very well in that post.. it sounded like I was asking if I should leave the battery terminal covers on
I was actually unsure about the vent tube caps
Re: Car Battery question
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2025 12:43 pm
by scotta
Alex88 wrote: Wed Sep 17, 2025 11:46 am
I didn't explain myself very well in that post.. it sounded like I was asking if I should leave the battery terminal covers on
I was actually unsure about the vent tube caps
Yeah yeah - so you fucking say!!!
