I'm having some trouble knowing how to check my Fabia car battery (W reg 1.4 MPI).

First of all I'm trying to check the water. I can see the min and max marks on the front of the battery but I can't see anything else. It is too obscured by the plastic casing around the battery. Do i have to actually take the battery out to check the water level?

Secondly, looking at the battery as it is in the engine without taking it out I can't see where to put the water. There are what looks like six large plastic screws on top of the battery. What are these for?

Thirdly, how do I take the battery out to charge it? I can't see where to unbolt it. Does all the plastic casing have to come off with it as well?

Thanks very much for your help and your patience!

I don't own a Fabia, so cant help mush with the removal, other than there will be a bolt on one of the (shorter) sides of the battery, right at the bottom.

There are what looks like six large plastic screws on top of the battery. What are these for?

You remove these screws to refill the battery with (de-ionized) water, the water should be just over the top of the metal plates inside the battery.

Wipe the top of the battery down so that it is clean. Each plastic screw covers a cell, remove one at a time (a 1p or 2p coin is good for this), shine a torch down each cell and top up with distilled water so that the level is above that of the battery plates.

To remove the battery there is a clamp at the front between the back of the headlamp and the battery. Remove this using a 13mm socket on a long extension, a magnet is good for getting it out of the engine bay completely. Disconnect the battery using a 10 mm spanner, negative first (reconnect last) and lift the battery out, leaving the plastic casing behind. If you have to reposition the lid, it is located on lugs and once opened to the correct position it can be slidden off.

No offence mate, but are you sure that the battery is designed to be topped up? I've never owned a car that required it in 15 years.

Indeed, most modern cars are sealed and you just replace them after 5 years or so?

I've not messed with batteries since my 1985 Nissan Cherry

5 years or so? the octy is having its 2nd battery change and it's only 4 yrs old

Make sure you have the radio code before taking the battery out as this may need to be reset when replacing it

My last "proper car", the Xantia, was still on the original battery after 8 years. My ZX was on the original after 5 when I crashed it, and AFAIK Samantha is still on hers, at 6 years next month.

SWMBO's old Fiesta battery was just over 10 years old when it failed!

Lots of things will determine the life of the battery, parking the car outside when it is cold is one of the biggest things that will shorten its life.