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Vehicle battery
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Warning light
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12 Volt vehicle battery
The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.
Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you
know exactly how to CARry out the job,
have the correct technical information and the proper tools, and
are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from imprope rly pe rf o rme d
work.
Location of the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is located in the engine compartm ent.
Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery
Symbol Meaning
Always wear eye protection!
Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear protective
gloves and eye protection!
Fire, sparks, open light and smoking are prohibited!
When a battery is charged, it produces hydrogen gas
which is highly explosive!
Always keep children away from battery acid and
vehicle batteries !
!
More information:
Booklet
Preparations for working in the engine compartment
Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
Warranty and Maintenance
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WARNING
.
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Alw ays read and heed the foll owing WARNINGS
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electr i cal syst em.
Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical
consumers and disconnect the nega ti ve ( –) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
Always wear eye p rotection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with
your eyes, skin, or clothing.
Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindnes s.
Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injur y, n e ver til t the
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid,
get medical attention immediately.
When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect
the negative cable (–) first and then the positive cable (+).
Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the 12 Volt batteries.
Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (– ). Never re verse th e polarit y
of the connections. This could cause a fire.
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames w hen working. Never create
sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen
but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batter ie s immedia tely. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that this it is properly connected to the
battery.
Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a vehi cle battery that is located
in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components,
chemicals known to the State of Cal i fornia to cause cancer and reprodu ctive harm. Wash
your hands after handling.
NOTICE
.
Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as
ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
If the vehicle is left standing in the col d for a long time, protect the vehicle batter y fr o m
freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.