Skoda octavia Owner's Manual page 177

Automatic shutdown of consumers - vehicle battery discharge protection
The on-board power supply system tries to prevent the vehicle battery from
discharging in the following ways when it is subject to heavy loading.
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By increasing the engine idle speed.
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Through the power limitation of certain loads.
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By switching off some loads(heated seats, heated rear window) for as long
as necessary.
Warning symbols on the vehicle battery
Symbol

Always wear eye protection!
Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye pro-
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tection!
Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the
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vehicle battery!
When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture
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is produced!
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Keep children away from the vehicle battery!
WARNING
Battery acid is highly corrosive - it can cause injury, chemical burns or poi-
soning! Corrosive vapours in the air irritate and damage the respiratory
tract and the eyes. The following guidelines must be observed.
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
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the vehicle battery.
If your eyes or skin come into contact with the electrolytic fluid, immedi-
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ately wash the affected area for a few minutes long with a lot of water. Get
medical assistance without delay.
Keep the vehicle battery away from people who are not completely inde-
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pendent (e.g. children).
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
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battery vent openings.
Meaning
WARNING
Working on the car battery may cause explosion, fire, injury or chemical
burn! The following guidelines must be observed.
Do not smoke, use open flames or light or transmitting devices.
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A discharged vehicle battery may freeze slightly. Never charge up a fro-
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zen or thawed vehicle battery. Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
Never use a damaged vehicle battery.
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Do not connect the battery terminals, bridging the two poles will cause a
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short circuit.
CAUTION
Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork –
There is a risk of damage to the vehicle.
Notice
We recommend having all work on the vehicle battery carried out by a spe-
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cialist garage.
You should replace batteries older than 5 years.
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Check condition
Fig. 200 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.
on page 175 first.
Inspecting and replenishing
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175