Vehicle Battery - Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual

144 In the engine compartment

Vehicle battery

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Warning light
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Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery
Charging, replacing, disconnecting or connecting the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is part of the electrical system in the vehicle.
Never work on the electrical system if you are not familiar with the necessary ac-
tions and the established precautions and/or if proper operating material and flu-
ids as well as adequate tools are not available ⇒
ried out by a specialist garage. Škoda recommends a Škoda partner for this pur-
pose. Serious injuries can be caused by improper work.
Installation position of the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.
Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery
Symbol Meaning

Always wear eye protection!
Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear gloves and eye

protection!

Fire, sparks, open flames and smoking are forbidden!
During charging of the battery, a highly explosive gas mix-

ture is produced!
Always keep children away from acid and the vehicle bat-

tery!
Additional information and warnings:
● ⇒ B ooklet Service schedule
● Preparing to work in the engine compartment ⇒ p age 131
● Accessories, spare parts, repairs and modifications ⇒ p age 172
Work on the vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause severe chemi-
cal burns, fire or electric shock. Before performing any work, always read and
observe the following warnings and precautions:
● Before performing any work on the vehicle battery, switch off the ignition
and all electrical loads, and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
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● Always keep children away from the battery acid and vehicle battery.
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● Always wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very aggressive. You may chemically burn the skin and
cause blindness upon contact with the eyes. When handling the vehicle bat-
tery, protect especially your hands, arms and face from acid splashes.
● Do not smoke and never work near open flames or sparks.
! Otherwise, have all work car-
● Avoid sparks when dealing with cables and electrical equipment, and by
electrostatic discharge.
● Never short-circuit the battery terminals.
● Never use a damaged vehicle battery. It may explode. Replace a damaged
vehicle battery immediately.
● Replace a damaged or frozen vehicle battery immediately. A discharged
battery may start to freeze at temperatures around 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Never disconnect vehicle batteries or connect them with each other with
the ignition switched on or the engine running, since otherwise the electrical
system or electronic components will be damaged.
● Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for extended periods
of time, because UV radiation may damage the battery housing.
● Protect the vehicle from frost during longer periods of non-use so that the
vehicle battery does not "freeze" and hence will be destroyed.
WARNING
NOTICE
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