Skoda Fabia 2003 Owner's Manual page 185

184 Inspecting and Replenishing
Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting
the engine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒
page 181 and ⇒
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for "quick-charging": disconnect both battery cables (first
of all "negative", then "positive") .
– Carefully attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the
battery terminals (red = "positive", black = "negative").
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the
power socket and switch on the charger.
– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and
unplug the mains cable from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the
charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all "positive", then
"negative").
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you
recharge the battery using low amperages (as for example from a mini-
charger) . Please also refer to the instructions from the charger manufac-
turer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total battery capacity (or lower) is that
which should be used until full charging is achieved.
in "Working on the battery" on
.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the
battery with high amperages, so-called "quick-charging".
"Quick-charging" a battery is dangerous ⇒
on page 181. It requires a special charger and appropriate knowledge. We
therefore recommend that you have your battery quick-charged only by
your Škoda dealer.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C.
If a battery is frozen, it is essential that it is first of all thawed out before
being charged ⇒
. We recommend that you no longer use a battery
which has thawed out because the casing of the battery may be cracked
through the formation of ice and this would allow battery electrolyte to flow
out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging.
WARNING
Never charge a battery which is frozen - risk of explosion!
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 4 weeks, the battery will
discharge gradually as a result from electrical components such as the
central control unit which were not switched off. You can prevent the
discharging of the battery by disconnecting the negative terminal or
charging the battery constantly with a very low charging current. Please
also refer to the notes when working on the battery ⇒ page 181, "Working
on the battery".
in "Working on the battery"