Skoda Octavia 2014 Owner's Manual page 205

Note
The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part
■
of the inspection service.
For technical reasons, on vehicles with the description "AGM", the electrolyte
■
level cannot be checked.
Charging

Read and observe and
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
A charging operation can be performed if the following conditions are satis-
fied.
The engine is turned off.

The ignition is switched off.

All consumers are turned off.

The bonnet is open.

"Fast charging" with high currents
›
Disconnect both battery cables (first of all "negative", then "positive").
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red =
"positive", black = "negative").
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove the
mains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all "positive", then "negative").
Charging with low voltages
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables from the battery if you recharge
the vehicle battery, for example from a mini-charger.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging.
202
General Maintenance
on page 200 first.
WARNING
When you charge a battery, hydrogen is released, and a highly explosive
■
gas mixture is also produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling
over during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is
on.
Creating a bridge between the poles on the battery (e.g. with metal ob-
■
jects - cables) creates a short circuit - risk of damage to the battery, explo-
sion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
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 en-
■
gine, the ignition and all electrical components and disconnect the negative
terminal  .
"Quick-charging" the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
■
charger and specialist knowledge.
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be "rapidly charged" by a
■
specialist garage.
CAUTION
On vehicles with the START/STOP system or additional heating (auxiliary heat-
ing), do not connect the pole terminal of the charger directly to the negative
terminal of the vehicle battery, but rather only to the engine earth
Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle.
Replacing

Read and observe and
The new vehicle battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current and
size as the original battery. Suitable vehicle battery types can be purchased
from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be
disposed of in accordance with national regulations.
Disconnecting and reconnecting

Read and observe and
Disconnecting
›
Switch off the ignition.
on page 200 first.
on page 200 first.
» page 220,
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