Winter Operation; Charging Of Battery; Slow Battery Charging - Audi 100 Quattro Owner's Manual

Winter operation

During the winter months, battery capac-
ity tends to decrease as temperatures
drop. Additionally, more power is consu-
med while starting, and the headlights,
heater, rear window defogger, etc., are
used more frequently. Curtail unnece-
ssary power consumption, particularly in
city traffic or when traveling short dis-
tances only. Let your Audi dealer test the
battery's capacity before winter sets in. A
well charged battery will not only prevent
starting problems but will also live longer.
If your vehicle is left standing for several
weeks at extremely low temperatures,
the battery should b e removed and sto-
red where it will not freeze. This will pre-
vent it from being damaged.
When removing the battery, first discon-
nect both cables (see C harging of Bat-
tery), then unscrew the battery mounting.
WARNING
Always keep the battery well out of
the reach of children.

Charging of battery

WARNING
§
The battery contains sulfuric acid.
Therefore, keep battery out of reach of
children.
§
Always shield your eyes and avo-
id leaning over the battery whenever
possible.
§
Charge battery in a well ventilated
area. Keep away from open flame or
electrical spark. Do not smoke. Hydro-
gen gas generated by the battery is
explosive,
§
Battery acid that may spill during
charging should be washed off with a
solution of warm water and baking
soda to neutralize the acid.
§
If you get battery acid in your
eyes or on your skin, immediately rin-
se with cold water for several minutes
and call a doctor.
§
Never charge a frozen battery. It
may explode because of gas trapped
in the ice. Allow a frozen battery to
thaw out first.
VEHICLE CARE
§
Never use a fast charger as a
booster to start the engine. This will
seriously damage the sensitive elec-
tronic components, such as relays, ra-
dio, etc., as well as the battery char-
ger.
§
Fast charging a battery is dange-
rous and should only be attempted by
a competent mechanic with the proper
equipment.
Slow batte ry charging
WARNING
Heed all WARNINGS and follow instru-
ctions that come with your battery
charger.
§
It is not necessary to remove the
battery from the vehicle, and it is also not
necessary to disconnect the cables.
§
Make sure the electrolyte level in
each cell is between the "min" and "max"
marks. If the fluid level is below the "min"
mark, let your Audi dealer correct the
condition.
Always heed WARNINGS on page 102.
117