Checking and refilling levels
●
Keep c hi
ldren away from acid and the bat-
tery itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It
can burn sk
in and cause blindness. When
handling the battery, protect yourself from
splashes of acids, above all your hands, arms
and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to pla-
ces
exposed to flames or sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges
when workin
g with cables and electrical devi-
ces.
● Never short the battery terminals.
● Never use a damaged battery. It can ex-
plode. Rep
lace a damaged battery immedi-
ately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as
soon as po
ssible. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0°C (+32°F). CAUTION
● Never di s
connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
over a lon
g period of time, as the intense ul-
traviolet radiation can damage the battery
housing.
● If the car is left standing for long periods,
protect
the battery from extreme cold temper- ature so that it does not “freeze up” and be-
come d
am
aged. Warning lamp
It lights up
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the electrical system checked.
Disconnect any unnecessary elec-
trical devices. The generator does
not charge the battery while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 26. Checking the electrolyte level of the
v
ehic
l
e battery Fig. 172
In the engine compartment: Remove
the c o
v
er from the vehicle's battery. The battery's electrolyte level should be
c
hec
k
ed regularly in high-mileage vehicles,
in hot countries and in older batteries. Other
batteries do not require maintenance.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with special batteries. For technical
reasons, the electrolyte level cannot be
checked in these batteries.
Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine
compar
tment ››› page 187
● Open the bonnet ›››
page 187.
● Press on the tabs ›››
Fig. 172 (arrows) in the
direction of the arrows and lift the battery
cover up. »
197
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
