OK, someone (not me) placed a dead battery for another car behind my G (to put in the trunk), got distracted and forgot all about the battery. He ended up backing over the battery (not with the tires thank god!), and managed to get it caught on the underside of my car. The battery was dragged for a few hundred feet before it broke loose and was left sitting in a puddle of water down the street.

I haven’t really gotten to climb under my car and look at it, but since I’ve never been under my G before what should I look for (other than scratches)? I doubt anything major happened but I wanted to ask the experts! Thanks in advance for any advice!

03.5 Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Black / Prem / Sport / Aero / Winter / Tint </font color=black>

 

Check the exhaust for holes. Not surewhat else.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Who on earth did you let drive you G? This falls under the "banned for life" category. Check your exhaust, as recommended, as there's not a whole lot you can really screw up if it was in the back of the car.

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

Sadly, it was my husband. I should’ve known something was up when I came home and he started his story with “you’ll think this is funny”. Umm, NO, I won’t. The best part is, he never even checked to see if there was any damage. Why—you may wonder—because it’s not his car and he doesn’t know what it should look like. Needless to say, yes, someone just got his G privileges revoked.

On a lighter note, thanks for the advice, it’s good to hear that there’s probably not much that could be damaged. I figured as much, but I prefer to hear it from people who are more knowledgeable about the G.

Thanks guys!

03.5 Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Black / Prem / Sport / Aero / Winter / Tint </font color=black>

 

phdvamp,

I'd recommend a thorough washdown of the underside with water or a water/baking soda solution ASAP. Battery acid can do some nasty things to car parts.

Dave

 

Very true, DaveO. Did you get to see the battery? Is it ruptured? If so, get an underbody wash. Good luck!

G

2003.5 Black w/ Willow G35
Premium / Sport / Aero / Winter / Navi / Tint

 

No idea, all the evidence was removed before I got home a few hours later. He swore the battery didn’t leak any acid--just water--but for some reason I doubt that he pulled out the litmus paper to test it. The funny thing is that washing the underside of my car never even occurred to me and I used to work with acids all the time. I think it’s ‘cause I’m so paranoid about keeping my car clean. I’ll wash the underside tonight. Thanks again guys!

03.5 Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Black / Prem / Sport / Aero / Winter / Tint </font color=black>

 

sure, water DOESN"T look like acid???, could have sworn differently.

that is fupped duck doc.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback

 

In a lead-acid battery, there is no water. In fact, there no pure water in any type of battery since pure water is a non-conductor.

Yes, you add water to non-maintenence free batteries, but the minute you do it simply dilutes the sulfuric acid solution. Furthermore, if whatever spilled onto the underside of your car is already dry, washing it now won't make any difference. When sulfuric acid dehydrates in the atmosphere it turns into harmless sulfate salts. Wash off the salts for cleanliness purposes, but any damage that could have been done has already taken place.

That said, I would be surprised if you found any chemical damage whatsoever, even if small amounts of sulfuric acid did contact the underside. Now, physical damage from dragging a battery under the car, then coming loose and hitting who-knows what on the way to freedom is another thing . . .


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

Lead-acid car batteries don't have "just water" in them. It's sulphuric acid once it mixes with what's already inside the battery. It may be pretty weak, but I'd still want to wash off the bottom of the car.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Thanks for the advice guys! In all honesty, I’m not too angry about the dragged battery--everyone has bad days. What I’m upset about is the lack of consideration involved in not inspecting my car for damage. If I had done something like that then I would've at least looked for damage, and I probably would have thought to wash it off too. It’s frustrating, I have a nice car and I'm trying my best to keep it that way.

03.5 Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Black / Prem / Sport / Aero / Winter / Tint </font color=black>

 

If I were u I would check out the underside thoroughly, or take it to the dealer and ask them to check it - theres a lot more that can get damaged besides the muffler such as the rear axle, brake lines, etc. The G has independent rear suspension so theres probably some rubber components back there, heck even if it was a live rear axle I would wanna take a look. good luck