
•Unscrew the cap carefully ⇒.
•Refill only new coolant according to the Volkswagen specification (⇒ Coolant specification) ⇒
.
•The coolant level must be between the marks on the expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 123. Do not fill up 
over the top line of the marked area⇒!
•Close the cap tightly.
•If in an emergency you do not have access to the coolant of the required specification 
(⇒ Coolant specification), do not use any other coolant additive. Instead, initially refill with 
distilled water⇒ only. Then add the correct proportion of coolant additive as soon as 
possible ⇒ Coolant specification.
Vehicle battery
 Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Warning lamp
⇒ Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery
⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system in the vehicle.
Never carry out any work on the electrical system if you are not familiar with the necessary 
procedures and the general safety requirements and only unsuitable tools are available ⇒. The 
work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Volkswagen recommends 
using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. Serious injuries can be caused if work is carried 
out incorrectly.
Location of the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.
Hot steam or engine coolant can cause serious burns.
•Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or engine coolant coming out of the 
engine compartment. Always wait until no escaping steam or coolant can be seen or 
heard.
•Always allow the engine to cool down completely before carefully opening the bonnet. Hot 
components can burn the skin.
•Before opening the bonnet once it has cooled down:
- Apply the handbrake fully and move the selector lever to position N or move the 
manual gear lever to the neutral position.
- Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.
- Always keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave the 
vehicle unattended.
•The engine cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never open the cap 
of the coolant expansion tank when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause 
serious burns and injuries.
- Turn the cap slowly and very carefully anticlockwise while exerting some downward 
pressure on the cap.
- Always protect the face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, 
thick cloth.
•When refilling, do not spill any service fluids on engine components or on the exhaust 
system. The spilt service fluids can start a fire. In certain circumstances, the ethylene 
glycol in the engine can catch fire.
WARNING
•Refill only with distilled water. All other types of water can cause corrosion in the engine 
due to the chemical components contained therein. This can also lead to engine failure. If 
any other type of water is refilled, the fluid in the engine cooling system should be 
completely replaced immediately by a qualified workshop.
•Do not fill coolant above the top of the marked area ⇒ Fig. 123. Otherwise the excess 
coolant will be pressed out of the cooling system when the engine is hot and could cause 
damage.
•If a large amount of coolant has been lost, do not refill the coolant until the engine has 
cooled completely. Heavy coolant loss is an indication of leaks in the engine cooling 
system. The engine cooling system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as 
possible. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.
•When refilling operating fluids, please ensure that the correct container is filled. The use of 
incorrect operating fluids could result in serious malfunctions and engine damage!
NOTICE 

Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-
fitted batteries requires voltage-limited charging ⇒. Volkswagen recommends using a 
Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has special safety 
features. If a vehicle battery has to be replaced, discuss the electromagnetic compatibility, size and 
necessary servicing, output and safety requirements for the new vehicle battery with a Volkswagen 
dealership before purchase. Volkswagen recommends that the vehicle battery is changed by a 
Volkswagen dealership.
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 April 2008 or later.
Vehicles with start/stop system ⇒ Pull-away assist systems are equipped with a special vehicle 
battery. These vehicle batteries may only be replaced by a vehicle battery with the same 
specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery
Please note the following if the vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical system in 
the vehicle:
•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.
•Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the alarm.
•First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable ⇒.
Connecting the vehicle battery
•Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition before reconnecting the vehicle battery.
•First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative cable ⇒.
Various indicator lamps may light up after the vehicle battery has been connected and the ignition is 
switched on. They will go out if you drive a short distance at a speed of 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 vehicle battery was disconnected for long periods, the system may not able to calculate or 
correctly display the time when the next service is due ⇒ Instruments. Comply with the maximum 
permissible service intervals ⇒BookletService schedule,.
Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range of measures to prevent 
the battery from discharging under high loads:
•The idling speed is increased so that the alternator provides more electricity.
•The performance of large electrical consumers may be reduced or they may be switched off 
completely.
•The power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter is interrupted temporarily while 
the engine is being started.
The vehicle electrical system cannot always prevent the vehicle battery from discharging. For 
example when the ignition is switched on for an extended period with the engine off, or when the 
side or parking lights are on when the vehicle is parked for an extended period.
Any work on the vehicle battery can cause serious chemical burns, explosions and electric 
shocks.
•Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.
•Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When 
working with the battery, protect your hands, arms and particularly your face from acid 
spillages.
•Never tilt the vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause 
chemical burns.
•Never open a vehicle battery.
•If acid is splashed onto your skin or into your eye, rinse immediately for several minutes 
with cold water. Then consult a doctor immediately.
•If acid is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
WARNING