The Engine Is Turned Off; The Bonnet Is Open; Checking The Battery Electrolyte Level; Charging - Skoda 2014 Rapid Owner's Manual

Checking the battery electrolyte level


Read and observe and
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator
electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the change in colour of this
display.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
›
Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
›
Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must
be replaced.
Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for
checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist
garage, especially in the following cases.
›
High external temperatures.
›
Longer day trips.
›
After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has a proportion of the starting power in lower tem-
peratures. A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures
just below 0 °C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
recharged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
136
General Maintenance
Fig. 119
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
on page 135 first.
» Fig.
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
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.

119, the

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 "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.
and on page 135 first.
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