Skoda OCTAVIA - 05-2010 Owner's Manual page 205

204 Inspecting and replenishing
WARNING (continued)
lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. Battery
acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds after contact with the
skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact with diluted acids causes
skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks). Acids coming into contact
with water are diluted accompanied by significant development of heat.

Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
battery vent openings. Protect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There is
the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your eye,
rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes. Contact a
doctor without delay.

Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as
possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a doctor
immediately if you swallow battery electrolyte.

Keep batteries out of the reach of children.

Hydrogen is released when you charge a battery and a highly explosive gas
mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over during
unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.

Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal objects,
cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead struts, explo-
sion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.

It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light, to smoke or to carry out
any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when working with
cables and electrical devices. Strong sparking represents a risk of injury.

Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the engine,
the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the negative
cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it is sufficient to switch off
the appropriate light.

Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic
burns! Replace a frozen battery.

Never jump-start the batteries which have a too low electrolyte level - risk
of explosion and caustic burns!

Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately
replace a damaged battery.
Caution

You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise the
electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged. When
disconnecting the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle, first disconnect the
negative terminal (-) of the battery. Then disconnect the positive terminal (+).

When reconnecting the battery, first connect the positive terminal (+) and only
then the negative terminal (-) of the battery. You must on no account connect the
cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.

Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body other-
wise damage could occur to the paintwork.

Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the battery housing
from the effects of ultra-violet light.
For the sake of the environment
A removed battery is a special type of waste which is harmful to the environment -
contact your specialist garage regarding disposing of the battery.
Note
Please also refer to the guidelines  page 206, also after connecting the battery.
Battery with a two-tone indicator
Fig. 167 The battery: Show