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It isn't a dumb question. It would be dumb to not ask....
The circles are the "caps". I guess "filler plugs" might be a better term. Unscrew them with a large flat bladed screwdriver. The original Saab battery has o-rings around these caps - the vent system is like a motorcycle battery through a seperate soft tube on the side. Make sure the o-rings are ok and be SURE the vent hose is not pinched (or the battery could rupture)! The hose should extend clear of the car so any venting acid vapor or drops does not dissolve your fine Saab. It might be prudent to check this.
Typical USA aftermarket batteries are either totally sealed or have plastic covers over each set of 3 cells (even if they are marked "Maintenance Free") - you have to lever these up with a flat blade rather than unscrew them.
Look in the holes with a flashlight. If you are using a metal flashlight please try really hard not to drop it across the battery terminals! In each cell opening you will see some projections sticking down toward the fluid surface - these are the fill indicators. The fluid should just touch the bottom of these projections. Surface tension causes the surface to pucker (it forms a "miniscus") and the reflection you see will be distorted. If the fluid level is low (as it usually is) you will instead see a flat mirror-like reflection of your light. Carefull add distilled water until you see the reflection pucker. Do all the cells, then carefully whack the battery on the side to remove any bubbles inside the case. Recheck and add more if needed. Be careful not to jar the battery hard enough to splash acid out the holes - a gentle nudge is all that is needed. Put a rag across the opening if you are concerned or safety conscious.
Reinstall the caps and clean the top of the battery case. If you spilled any acid, a little baking soda mixed with tap water will neutralize it. Or you can just thoroughly flush it with the garden hose. But don't leave it there. Make sure the terminals are clean, and put a little grease or battery post protector on them to stop them from corroding. I use BoeShield B-9 spray, which does an exxcellent job of sealing them.
You really need to do this annually, unless you drive a lot of miles. Then maybe twice a year would be a good idea. The battery needs to be fully charged before you add water - the electrolyte level goes down as the battery discharges, so you might overfill a partially discharged battery.
Remember that battery acid is corrosive and can burn skin, especially sensitive tissues like eyes. Be very careful, please.
The Optima battey I referred to in my earlier post is a totally sealed gel battery. It can even be mounted upside down. It requires only that you keep the terminals clean.
posted by 12.82.172...
More than you ever wanted to know about batteries
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