Checking battery acid level
Battery: Electrolyte level indicator.
Fig. 116
We recommend you have the acid level regu-
larly checked at an official technical service,
particularly in the following cases.
●
At high outside temperatures.
●
On long daily trips.
●
Whenever the vehicle is loaded
›››
page 142, Charging the
In vehicles equipped with a battery with col-
our indicator, the so-called magic eye
›››
Fig. 116
changes colour to indicate the
acid level.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the in-
dicator. Therefore, carefully knock the indica-
tor before checking the acid level.
●
Black – the acid level is correct.
●
Colourless or light yellow – acid level too
low, battery must be changed.
142
Note
●
The battery acid level is also regularly
checked during servicing at authorised SEAT
dealers.
●
The electrolyte level on "AGM" batteries
cannot be checked for technical reasons.
Vehicles equipped with the "Start-Stop"
●
system include a battery control unit to con-
trol the battery level for repeated engine
starting.
Winter service
At low temperatures the battery provides only
a fraction of the starting power it has at nor-
mal temperatures.
A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures
slightly below to 0 °C (32 °F).
battery.
We therefore recommend you have the bat-
tery checked and, if necessary, charged at an
official SEAT technical service before the start
of winter.
Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is essential for relia-
ble starting.
Switch off the ignition and all electrical
–
equipment.
Advice
–
–
–
–
–
–
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a
small battery charger), the battery does not
normally have to be disconnected. The in-
structions of the battery charger manufactur-
er must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than
10% of the battery capacity to fully charge
the battery.
Before "fast-charging" the battery however,
both battery cables must be disconnected.
"Fast-charging" a battery is dangerous and
requires a battery charger and special knowl-
edge. Fast charges should be performed by
an official technical service.
The battery caps should not be opened while
the battery is being charged.
For "fast-charging" only: disconnect both
battery connection cables (first the "nega-
tive" terminal and then the "positive").
Connect the charger cables to the battery
terminals (red = "positive", black = "nega-
tive").
Plug in the battery charger and switch on.
After charging the battery: Switch off the
battery charger and disconnect the cable.
Remove the charger cables.
If necessary, reconnect both battery cables
to the battery (first the "positive" cable,
then the "negative" cable).