Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual page 261

CAUTION
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork –
There is a risk of damage to the vehicle.
Note
We recommend having all work on the vehicle battery carried out by a spe-
■
cialist garage.
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
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Check condition
Fig. 296 Vehicle battery: Open the cover / acid level indicator

Read and observe and
The battery condition is checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of the
inspection service.
Check the acid level
For car batteries with acid level indicator, acidity can be checked on the basis
of a colour display. In vehicle batteries with the label "AGM" there is no acid
level examination.
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle battery may be provided with a cov-
er, this can be opened in the direction of
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
tap 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.
on page 258 first.
arrow» Fig. 296 - .
» Fig. 296 - .
Battery discharge
If frequent short journeys are made, the vehicle battery does not recharge suf-
ficiently.
The battery capacity decreases at low temperatures.
If the vehicle is not used for longer than 3 to 4 weeks, then disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery or charge the battery constantly with a very
low charging current.
Charging

Read and observe and
Only charge the battery when the ignition and all consumers are switched off.
Refer to the instructions of the charger manufacturer.
Charging
›
For vehicles with the START-STOP system or auxiliary heater , connect the
-terminal of the charger on the battery's -pole,  the -terminal of the
charger to the ground point of the engine
›
For vehicles without the START-STOPsystem or auxiliary heating, connect
the charger terminals to the corresponding battery poles
›
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.
›
Disconnect the terminals of the charger from the vehicle battery.
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or low-
er) must be used until full charging is achieved.
WARNING
When charging the vehicle battery, hydrogen is released - risk of explo-
■
sion. An explosion can be caused through sparking while unclamping or
loosening the cable plug.
So-called "quick-charging" of the vehicle battery is dangerous and re-
■
quires a special charger and specialist knowledge. Therefore, have"Quick
loading" carried out by a specialist garage.
on page 258 first.
» page 272.
( to, to).
Inspecting and replenishing
259