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Do not work on the electrical system unless you are familiar with the task, aware of the general
safety procedures and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Serious injuries
can be caused by carrying out work incorrectly ⇒ . All work should be carried out by a qualified
workshop. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Information for warning and indicator lamps lit up can be found in the troubleshooting at the end of
the chapter ⇒ Troubleshooting .
Location of the 12-volt vehicle battery
The 12-volt vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.
Explanation of the warnings on the 12-volt vehicle battery
Always wear eye protection!Electrolyte is very corrosive and caustic. Always wear
protective gloves and eye protection!Fire, sparks, naked lights and smoking are prohibited!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the 12-volt vehicle battery is charging!
Always keep children away from electrolyte and the 12-volt vehicle battery!Always
observe the owner's manual!
WARNING
Any work on the 12-volt vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious chemical burns,
fire or electric shocks. Always read and observe the following warnings and safety information
before carrying out any kind of work:
any work on the 12-volt
vehicle battery and also disconnect the negative cable from the 12-volt vehicle battery.
-volt vehicle battery.
12-volt vehicle battery, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid
spillages.
r work near naked flames or sparks.
discharge.
-volt vehicle battery. It can explode. Damaged 12-volt vehicle batteries
must be replaced as soon as possible.
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te is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When working with the
12-volt vehicle battery, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid
spillages.
-volt vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause
chemical burns.
-volt vehicle battery.
Then consult a doctor immediately.
lyte is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
If you suspect that the 12-volt vehicle battery is damaged or faulty, go to a qualified workshop and
have the 12-volt vehicle battery checked.
Charging the 12-volt vehicle battery
The 12-volt vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in
factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle batteries requires voltage-limited charging ⇒ . Volkswagen
recommends using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Replacing the 12-volt vehicle battery
The 12-volt vehicle battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its installation location and
has special safety features. If a 12-volt vehicle battery has to be replaced, find out about the
electromagnetic compatibility, size and necessary maintenance, power and safety requirements for
the new 12-volt vehicle battery at a Volkswagen dealership before purchase. The ventilation opening
of the vehicle battery must always be on the negative terminal side: the ventilation opening on the
positive terminal side must always be sealed.
Only maintenance-free vehicle batteries compliant with the standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
should be used. These standards must be dated October 2014 or later.
Always have the 12-volt vehicle battery replaced by a qualified workshop, as the vehicle electronics
must be adapted as part of the replacement process. Only qualified workshops have the technology
required to carry out this adjustment correctly. Volkswagen recommends that the 12-volt vehicle
battery is replaced by a Volkswagen dealership.
Disconnecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
Please observe the following if the 12-volt vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical
system in the vehicle:
-theft
alarm.
⇒ .
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Connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery
-volt vehicle
battery.
e cable and then the negative cable ⇒ .
Various indicator lamps may light up after the 12-volt vehicle battery has been connected and the
ignition is switched on. They will go out when you drive a short distance at a speed of approximately
15 – 20 km/h (10 – 12 mph). If the indicator lamps remain lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a
qualified workshop.
If the 12-volt vehicle battery was disconnected for an extended period, the system may not able to
calculate or correctly display the time when the next service is due ⇒ Instrument cluster . Observe
the maximum permissible service intervals ⇒ Service .
Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers
The intelligent vehicle electrical system management function automatically implements a range of
measures to prevent the 12-volt vehicle battery from discharging under high loads:
power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter may be interrupted temporarily
while the engine is being started.
The vehicle electrics management system cannot always prevent the 12-volt vehicle battery from
being discharged, for example if the ignition is left on over a long period with the engine off or the
side lights or parking lights are left on over a long period of time.
12-volt vehicle battery is discharged
gnition is switched on.
⇒ Auxiliary heater and ventilation .
WARNING
Incorrectly mounting the battery and using incorrect 12-volt vehicle batteries can cause short
circuits, fire and serious injuries.
-free and leak-proof 12-volt vehicle batteries that have the same
properties, specifications and dimensions as the factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle battery.
WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the 12-volt vehicle battery is being charged.
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-volt vehicle batteries should be charged only in well-ventilated spaces.
-volt vehicle battery. Discharged 12-volt vehicle batteries can
already freeze at temperatures of around 0°C (+32°F).
-volt vehicle battery must be replaced if it has ever been frozen.
the negative cable.
NOTICE
-volt vehicle batteries if the ignition is switched on or the engine is
running. Never use a 12-volt vehicle battery that does not correspond with the vehicle's
specifications. This can damage the electrical system or electronic components and electrical
malfunctions can occur.
to the 12-volt socket or to the cigarette lighter in order to charge the 12-volt vehicle battery. The
electrical system of the vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
12-volt vehicle batteries may contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. Dispose of the
12-volt vehicle battery in accordance with the regulations.
Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are spilt and
dispose of them properly.
Troubleshooting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Vehicle battery (12-volt)
The indicator lamp lights up red.
Fault in the alternator. The 12-volt vehicle battery will not be charged by the alternator while the
vehicle is in motion.
Switch off any electrical consumers that are not required. Inform a qualified workshop. Have the
electrical system checked.
The start/stop system cannot start the engine ⇒ Start/stop system .
and vehicle battery (12-volt)
The central warning lamp lights up red and the text message 12 V battery not charging. Stop vehicle.
is displayed.