should always be replaced by a qualified technician, since the vehicle's onboard electrical system management has to be reset after replacing the battery. Only a qualified service facility is able to perform this necessary adjustment. Therefore, Volkswagen recommends to always have the 12 volt vehicle battery replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Only use maintenance-free vehicle batteries meeting standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. These standards must date from July 2012 or later.
Disconnecting the 12 Volt vehicle battery
If the battery must be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, note the following:
x Switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.
x Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery; otherwise the alarm system will go off.
x First disconnect the negative cable (-) and then the positive cable (+) ⇒ .
Connecting the 12 volt vehicle battery
x Prior to reconnecting the battery, switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.
x Connect the positive cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-) ⇒ .
After the battery is connected and the ignition is switched on, different indicator lights may light up. They should go out after you drive a short distance at 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights do not go out, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle checked.
If the battery was disconnected for a long time, the next scheduled service may not be correctly calcu-
lated and displayed ⇒ Instrument cluster. The maximum permissible service and maintenance inter-
vals are shown in the ⇒ Booklet Warranty and Maintenance.
Vehicles with Keyless Access
If the ignition will not start after reconnecting the vehicle battery, lock the vehicle from the outside and
unlock it again ⇒ Unlocking or locking the vehicle with Keyless Access. Then try to start the ignition again. If the ignition cannot be switched on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop for assistance.
Automatic electrical load deactivation
If the vehicle battery drain is high, the intelligent onboard electrical system management automatically takes steps to help prevent battery drain.
x The idle speed is increased so that the alternator provides more power.
x The power to devices that consume a lot of electricity is cut back or switched off completely.
The onboard electrical system management cannot always keep the battery from being drained. For example, the battery will drain if the electric motor is not activated, but the ignition is switched on or the parking lights are left on for a long time when parked.
What drains the vehicle battery?
x Long periods when the electric motor is not activated, especially when the ignition is on.
x Using electrical systems or devices when the electric motor is switched off.
x Leaving the vehicle unlocked for several days when not in use.
x The selector lever is left for a long period of time in any position other than Park (P) when the
ignition is switched off ⇒ Selector lever.
