Skoda RAPID Owner's Manual page 95

Disconnecting or reconnecting
Automatic load deactivation
The vehicle battery represents a power source for the motor to start and for
the supply of electrical consumers in the car.
Warning symbols on the vehicle battery
Symbol

Always wear eye protection.
Battery acid is severely caustic. Always wear gloves and eye pro-

tection.
Keep fire, sparks, open flames and lit cigarettes well clear of the

vehicle battery.
When charging the vehicle battery, a highly explosive gas mixture

is produced.

Keep children away from the vehicle battery.
WARNING
There is risk of injuries, poisoning, chemical burns, explosions or fire when
working on the battery and on the electrical system. It is essential to com-
ply with the general applicable safety rules as well as the warning instruc-
tions outlined below.
Keep the vehicle battery away from people who are not completely inde-
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pendent, especially children.
Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the
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battery vent openings.
Protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles or a face shield – risk of
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blindness!
Always wear protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling
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the vehicle battery.
The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled
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with the greatest of care.
Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and lead to conjunctivi-
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tis and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs.
Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and, if it comes into contact with the
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skin, causes deep wounds that take a long time to heal.
Importance
95 WARNING (Continued)
If any battery acid comes into contact with your eyes, rinse the affected
95 ■
eye immediately with clean water for several minutes and consult a doctor
immediately!
Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as
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possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water.
If you swallow battery acid, consult a doctor immediately!
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WARNING
Avoid using open flames and light.
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Avoid smoking and radio-emitting activities.
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Never use a damaged vehicle battery – risk of explosion!
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Never charge a frozen or thawed vehicle battery – risk of explosion and
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chemical burns!
Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
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Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of
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explosion and chemical burns.
CAUTION
Improper handling of the vehicle battery may cause damage.
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Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the bodywork – risk
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of damage to the paintwork.
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will
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discharge. Prevent the battery from discharging by disconnecting the battery's
negative terminal  or continuously charging the battery with a very low
charging current.
Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the vehicle bat-
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tery housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
If the vehicle is frequently used for making short trips, the vehicle battery
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will not have time to charge up sufficiently and may discharge.
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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93
Inspecting and replenishing