Get Checking and topping up fluids -> Battery Guide for Audi A5 4 Door First Generation (2007-2013)

Checking and topping up fluids 239

Controls Safety Driving tips General maintenance Self-help Technical data

For the sake of the environment

If the fluid has to be drained out of the brake system, use an appro-

priate container to catch the used brake fluid and dispose of it in the

proper manner.

Battery

General notes

All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.

The battery is virtually maintenance-free. It is checked as part of the

Inspection Service.

We recommend that you replace a battery once it is older than 5

years.

When an airbag is triggered, the battery will, under certain circum-

stances, be disconnected from the on-board power supply for

safety reasons ⇒ in “General notes on airbag system” on

page 176.

Disconnecting the battery

If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will

become inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will

require resetting after the battery is reconnected. For this reason,

the battery should only be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical

system when absolutely necessary.

If the vehicle is not used for long periods

If you do not drive your vehicle for a period of several days or weeks,

the power management will gradually shut off the on-board

systems one by one, or reduce the amount of current they are using.

This limits the amount of power consumed and helps to ensure reli-

able starting even after a long period ⇒ page 202.

Please note that certain convenience features, such as the Audi

advanced key*, the remote control key or the electrical seat adjust-

ment may not be available when you unlock the vehicle. These func-

tions will be restored when you switch on the ignition and start the

engine.

Winter conditions

At low temperatures the battery has to work very hard. It also

provides only a fraction of the starting power it has at normal

temperatures.

For this reason, we recommend having the battery checked and

charged if necessary before the start of winter ⇒ page 241.

WARNING

• All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge. For queries

regarding the vehicle battery please contact an Audi dealership or

other qualified workshop (risk of chemical burns / risk of explo-

sion).

• The battery must not be opened. Do not attempt to make any

changes to the electrolyte level of the battery. Otherwise, there is

a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate

and cause an explosion.

Note

If the vehicle is to be left standing for a period of several weeks at

extremely low temperatures, the battery should be removed from

the vehicle. This ensures that it cannot “freeze up” and be

damaged.

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Checking and topping up fluids240

Important safety warnings for handling a car

battery

All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.

The vehicle battery is located under the floor panel in the luggage

compartment.

WARNING

Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as

well as the risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and

the electrical system.

• Wear safety glasses. Do not allow acid or lead particles to come

into contact with eyes, skin or clothing.

• Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protective gloves and

safety glasses. Do not tilt the battery - acid can leak out of the

vapour vent. If electrolyte should splash into the eyes rinse at once

for several minutes using clear water. Then seek medical care

immediately. Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or clothing

with soap solution, and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid is

swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately.

• Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and lit cigarettes

away from battery. Avoid sparks (including those from static

charges) when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never

cross the battery poles. The resulting high-energy sparks can

cause injury.

• A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the

battery is under charge. Only charge battery in a well ventilated

area.

• Keep children away from the battery and battery acid.

• Switch off all electrical equipment before starting any work on

the vehicle electrical system. Remove the ignition key. The minus

cable of the battery must be disconnected. When changing a light

bulb, it is sufficient to only turn off the light.

• Before disconnecting the battery, turn off the anti-theft

system! Otherwise, the alarm will sound.

• When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle's electrical

system, first disconnect the minus cable and then the plus cable.

• Before reconnecting the battery, turn off all electrical equip-

ment. First connect the plus cable, then the minus cable. The

battery cables must not be connected to the wrong battery poles

- serious risk of cable fire.

• Never charge a frozen or thawed out battery - risk of explosion

and chemical burns! A battery must be replaced once it has been

frozen. When it is discharged the battery can freeze at tempera-

tures around 0°C.

• Make sure that the vapour hose is always attached to the

battery.

• Never use a damaged battery - risk of explosion! Replace a

damaged battery immediately.

Caution

• Never disconnect the car's battery with the engine running or

with the ignition turned on, otherwise the electrical system or elec-

trical components will be damaged.



Wear safety glasses!



Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protec-

tive gloves and safety glasses.



Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and

lit cigarettes away from battery!



A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off

when the battery is under charge!



Keep children away from the battery and battery

acid.

WARNING (continued)

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Checking and topping up fluids 241

Controls Safety Driving tips General maintenance Self-help Technical data

• Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of

time, as the intense ultraviolet radiation can affect the battery

housing.

• If the car is left standing for long periods, protect the battery

from extreme cold temperature so that it does not “freeze up” and

become damaged.

Charging the battery

Terminals for charging the battery are fitted in the engine

compartment.

– Note the warnings ⇒ in “Important safety warnings

for handling a car battery” on page 240 and ⇒ .

– Switch off all electrical equipment. Remove the ignition

key.

– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 230.

– Open the red cap on the positive terminal ⇒ fig. 229.

– Follow the correct procedure for connecting the charger

cables to the jump-start terminals (terminal with red cap

= “positive”, terminal with hexagon = “negative”).

– Now connect the battery charger to the mains and switch

on.

– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger

and disconnect the mains cable.

– Now disconnect the charger cables.

– Refit the red cap onto the positive terminal.

– Close the bonnet ⇒ page 232.

When it is discharged the battery can freeze at temperatures

around 0°C. A frozen battery must be thawed before charging ⇒ .

However, it is advisable to replace the battery if it has frozen,

because the ice can crack the battery casing and allow the battery

acid to escape.

Charging the battery

Important: Before you charge the battery make sure you read the

manufacturer's instructions for using the battery charger.

When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery

charger) the battery does not have to be disconnected. The battery

must not be opened while you are charging it.

Fast-charging the battery

For technical reasons it is not permissible to fast-charge the battery

using charging devices with an output voltage higher than 14.8 V.

WARNING

Never charge a frozen battery – it could explode.

Note

Use only the terminals in the engine compartment to charge the

battery.

Fig. 229 Engine

compartment: Termi-

nals for jump leads and

battery charger

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Checking and topping up fluids -> Battery for Your Audi A5 4 Door First Generation (2007-2013)

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