Skoda Rapid Owner's Manual page 148

146 In the engine compartment
Replacing the vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is designed according to the installation position and equip-
ped with safety features. If a vehicle battery needs replacing, before purchasing a
new battery, consult your Škoda partner about the electromagnetic compatibility,
size, and necessary maintenance, capacity and security requirements of the new
battery. Škoda recommends having the vehicle battery replaced by a Škoda part-
ner.
Use only a maintenance-free vehicle battery according to standards TL 825 06
and VW 7 50 73. These standards should be from April 2008 or later.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery
If the vehicle battery needs to be disconnected from the electrical system in the
vehicle, observe the following:
● Switch off all electrical loads and turn off the ignition.
● First disconnect the negative cable and then disconnect the positive cable
⇒
.
Connecting the vehicle battery
● Before reconnecting the vehicle battery, switch off all electrical loads and
switch off the ignition.
● First reconnect the positive cable, then reconnect the negative cable ⇒
After connecting the vehicle battery and switching on the ignition, various indica-
tor lights may illuminate. They will extinguish after driving a short distance at ap-
prox. 9 – 12 mph (15 – 20 km/h). If the indicator lights continue to illuminate, visit a
specialist garage and have the vehicle checked.
If the vehicle battery has been disconnected a long time, the next due service may
not be displayed or calculated correctly ⇒ p age 19. Observe the maximum allowa-
ble maintenance intervals ⇒ B ooklet service schedule.
Automatic load deactivation
An intelligent vehicle power management system automatically takes various
measures at high loads on the vehicle battery to prevent discharging of the bat-
tery:
● The idling speed is increased to allow the alternator to generate more electric-
ity.
● Large consumers of electricity may be cut in their power consumption or fully
switched off if necessary.
● When starting the engine, the power supply to the 12-Volt power sockets and
the cigarette lighter may be briefly interrupted.
Despite the vehicle power management, the vehicle battery may be discharged.
For example, when the ignition is switched on a long time with the engine turned
off or the side or parking lights are turned on during longer parking.
What will exhaust the vehicle battery?
● Long standing times, without running the engine, particularly when the igni-
tion is switched on.
● Use of electrical loads with the engine switched off.
WARNING
Improper mounting and using wrong vehicle batteries can cause short circuits,
fire and serious injuries.
● Use only maintenance-free and leak-proof vehicle batteries that have the
same characteristics, specifications and dimensions as the factory-installed
battery. The specification is indicated on the battery housing.
WARNING
When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture is produced.
● Charge the vehicle battery only in a well-ventilated area.
.
● Never charge frozen or thawed vehicle batteries. A discharged battery may
start to freeze at temperatures around 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Be sure to replace the vehicle battery if it has frozen once.
● Incorrectly connected wires may cause a short circuit. First connect the
positive cable and then the negative cable.
NOTICE
● Never disconnect the vehicle battery with the ignition switched on or the
engine running, since otherwise the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents will be damaged.
● Never connect power-supplying accessories, such as solar panels or a bat-
tery charger for charging the vehicle battery, to the 12-Volt power sockets or
the cigarette lighters. Otherwise, the electrical system of the vehicle could be
damaged.
For the sake of the environment
Properly dispose of the vehicle battery. Vehicle batteries may contain toxic sub-
stances such as sulphuric acid and lead.
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