Vehicle Battery - Skoda Octavia Operating Instructions Manual

Vehicle battery

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening the cover
Checking the battery electrolyte level
Charging
Replacing
Disconnecting and 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
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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
There is a risk of injuries, poisoning, chemical burns, explosions or fire
when carrying out any work on the battery and on the electrical system.
The general applicable safety rules and the following warnings must be ob-
served without exception.
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.
Meaning
WARNING (Continued)
Protect your eyes by safety glasses or a face shield – risk of blindness!
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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.
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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.
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Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds after con-
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199 tact with the skin which take a long time to heal.
If any battery electrolyte comes into contact with your eyes, rinse the rel-
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evant eye immediately with clear water for several minutes - consult a doc-
200
tor 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, seek immediate medical assistance!
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WARNING
The use of open flames and light should be avoided.
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Smoking and radio triggering activities should be avoided.
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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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caustic burns!
Replace a frozen vehicle battery.
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Never jump-start vehicle batteries with an electrolyte level that is too low
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– risk of explosion and caustic 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.
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Inspecting and replenishing
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