Get Practical tips -> 12-volt battery Guide for Cupra Formentor SUV First Generation (2020-2024)

Checking and refilling levels

warmed the windscreen with the ventila-

tion system. The antifreeze could freeze on

the windscreen and reduce visibility.

Keep children away from acid and batteries!

Always follow the instruction manual.

12-volt battery





General information

Disconnecting the battery

CAUTION

The battery is located in the engine com-

partment page 325 or luggage compart-

The battery should only be disconnected in

exceptional cases. When the battery is dis-

connected, some of the vehicle's functions

are lost. These functions will require reset-

ting after the battery is reconnected.

›››

Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other

similar additives with the windscreen wash-

er water. A greasy layer may be formed on

the windscreen which will impair visibility.

ment (PHEV hybrid vehicles) page 335

›››

and is practically maintenance free. It is

checked as part of the Inspection Service.

Nevertheless, check the terminals are clean

and have the correct tightening torque, es-

pecially in summer and winter.

●

Use clean water with a window cleaner

recommended by CUPRA.

When disconnecting the battery from the

vehicle on-board network, disconnect first

the negative cable and then the positive ca-

ble.

●

If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to

All work on batteries requires specialist

knowledge. Please refer to a specialised CU-

PRA Service, SEAT Official Service or a work-

shop specialising in batteries: risk of burns or

exploding battery!

the water in the reservoir.

CAUTION

Deactivate the anti-theft alarm before you

disconnect the battery. Otherwise the alarm

will be triggered.

●

Do not mix cleaning products recom-

mended by CUPRA with other products.

This could lead to flocculation and may

block the windscreen washer jets.

The battery must not be opened. Never try

to change the fluid level of the battery. Oth-

erwise explosive gas is released from the

battery that could cause an explosion.

If the vehicle is not used for long periods

●

When topping up service fluids, make ab-

The vehicle has a system for monitoring the

current consumption when the engine is left

solutely certain that you fill the fluids into

the correct reservoirs. Using the wrong flu-

ids could cause serious malfunctions and

engine damage!

unused for long periods of time page 337 .

›››

Battery warning indications

Some functions, such as the interior lights,

or the remote door opening, may be tempo-

rarily disabled to prevent the battery from

running flat. These functions will come back

on as soon as the ignition is switched on and

the engine started.

Wear eye protection.



●

Lack of window washer fluid causes the

Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear pro-

tective gloves and eye protection. Rinse any

splashes of electrolyte with plenty of water.



view through the windscreen to be ob-

scured.

Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are pro-

hibited.



The battery should only be charged in a well-

ventilated zone. Risk of explosion!



333

Practical tips

Winter conditions

●

Keep children away from acid and batter-

CAUTION

ies.

During the winter, the starting power may be

reduced, and if necessary, the battery

●

Do not expose the battery to direct sun-

●

Before working on the electrical system,

light over a long period of time, as the in-

tense ultraviolet radiation can damage the

battery housing.

should be charged page 336 .

you must switch off the engine, the ignition

and all electrical devices. The negative ca-

ble on the battery must be disconnected.

When a light bulb is changed, you need on-

ly switch off the light.

›››

WARNING

●

If the vehicle is left standing in cold con-

ditions for a long period, protect the bat-

tery from “freezing”. If it freezes it will be

damaged.

Always be aware of the danger of injury and

chemical burns as well as the risk of acci-

dent or fire when working on the battery

and the electrical system:

●

Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by un-

locking the vehicle before you disconnect

the battery! The alarm will otherwise be

triggered.

●

Wear eye protection. Protect your eyes,

skin and clothing from acid and particles

containing lead.

Control lamp

●

When disconnecting the battery from the

vehicle on-board network, disconnect first

the negative cable and then the positive

cable.

●

The control lamp  lights up when the igni-

tion is switched on. It should go out when the

engine has started running.

Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear

protective gloves and eye protection. Do

not tilt the batteries. This could spill acid

through the vents.

●

Switch off all electrical devices before re-

Indicator lamps and driver messages on the

instrument cluster display or infotainment

system:

connecting the battery. Reconnect first the

positive cable and then the negative cable.

Never reverse the polarity of the connec-

tions. This could cause an electrical fire.

●

Neutralise any electrolyte splashes on the

skin, eyes or clothing with a soapy solution,

and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid is

swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor im-

mediately.

Defective alternator



3 Valid only for: conventional vehicles.

●

Never charge a frozen battery, or one

which has thawed. This could result in ex-

plosions and chemical burns. Always re-

place a battery which has frozen. A flat bat-

tery can also freeze at temperatures close

to 0°C (+32°F).

●

Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking

are prohibited. When handling cables and

electrical equipment, avoid causing sparks

and electrostatic charge. Never short the

battery terminals. High-energy sparks can

cause injury.

The control lamp lights up RED.

The vehicle battery stops charging from the

alternator. You should immediately drive to

the nearest specialised workshop.

●

Ensure that the vent hose is always con-

nected to the battery.

●

A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-

You should avoid using electrical equipment

that is not absolutely necessary because this

will drain the battery.

●

Never use a defective battery. This could

leased when the battery is under charge.

The batteries should be charged in a well-

ventilated room only.

cause an explosion. Replace a damaged

battery immediately.

334

Checking and refilling levels

Error: the 12 V vehicle battery

is not charging. Park safely!

and the vehicle should be jump started

The 12-volt power supply is limited, maybe

because the 12 volt battery is discharged or

not working at full performance. The 12-volt

battery can be charged while driving. Until

the warning disappears, you should drive

with care.



page 52 or professional assistance should

be sought.

›››

The control lamp lights up RED.

●

Go to a qualified establishment.

 Stop driving! Stop the vehicle at the next

opportunity and in a safe place.

Have the electrical system checked.

The instrument cluster displays a message

due to a DCDC failure (electrical, mechanical

or energy balance).

Low level of the 12 V vehicle

battery. Charge while driving

Error: 12V power supply. Visit the

workshop



The control lamp lights up YELLOW.

There is a fault in the 12-volt power supply:

●

Switch the ignition off and seek professio-

nal assistance.

●

Go to a qualified establishment.

Starting capacity may be limited. If this driver

message goes out after a certain amount of

time, the vehicle's battery has recharged

while driving and reached a sufficient level. If

the driver message does not go out, take the

vehicle to a specialized workshop.

Have the electrical system checked.

Error: 12V power supply. Park



safely! Check the manual

Access to the 12 volt battery

The control lamp lights up RED.

 Stop driving! Stop the vehicle at the next

opportunity and in a safe place.

Replace the 12V vehicle battery.

Go to a workshop



There is a serious fault in the 12V power sup-

ply.

The control lamp lights up YELLOW.

The 12 volt vehicle battery has almost

●

Go to a qualified establishment.

reached the end of its useful life. Visit a pro-

fessional and request an inspection and re-

placement, if necessary, of the 12-volt vehi-

Have the electrical system checked.

Error: 12 V vehicle battery. En-



cle battery page 336 .

›››

gine cannot be started. Visit the

workshop

Fig. 217 Hybrid vehicles (PHEV): location

of the battery in the luggage compartment

Error: The 12V power supply is

currently limited. Drive with cau-

tion.



The control lamp lights up YELLOW.

The connection between the on-board net-

work and the 12-volt battery has been inter-

rupted. If the drive system switches off in this

situation, it should not be switched on again

The control lamp lights up YELLOW.

335

Practical tips

Valid for hybrid vehicles (PHEV)

workshop to have the battery checked

and replaced if necessary.

Checking the battery electrolyte

level

The 12-volt vehicle battery is located under

the luggage compartment floor.

Black: The battery’s electrolyte level is cor-

rect.

●

Open the luggage compartment.

Raise the luggage compartment floor

page 137, to gain access to the 12-volt

›››

Charging or changing the battery

battery cover Fig. 217 .

›››

●

A suitable tool must be used to open and

If you often drive short distances or if the ve-

hicle is not driven for long periods, the bat-

tery should be checked by a specialised

workshop between the scheduled services.

close the cover.

Valid for conventional vehicles

●

Raise the bonnet

in Working in the

›››

If the battery has discharged and you have

problems starting the vehicle, the battery

might be damaged. If this happens, we rec-

ommend you have the vehicle battery

checked by a Technical Service where it will

be re-charged or replaced.

Fig. 218 Sight glass on the top of the 12

volt battery (schematic representation).

engine compartment on page 322.

●

Lift the cover that protects the front of the

battery page 325 , Fig. 207 .

›››

The electrolyte level should be checked reg-

ularly in high-mileage vehicles, in hot coun-

tries and in older batteries.

Valid for VZ5 version: The 12-volt vehicle

battery is located under the luggage com-

partment floor. To access it, lift up the lug-

Charging the battery

●

Check the colour display in the "magic eye"

on the top of the battery.

gage compartment floor page 137 .

›››

The vehicle battery should be charged by a

specialised workshop only, as batteries using

special technology have been installed and

they must be charged in a controlled envi-

ronment.

●

If there are air bubbles in the window, tap

the window gently until they disperse.

The “magic eye” indicator, located on the

top of the battery changes colour, depend-

ing on the charge state and electrolyte level

of the battery.

Replacing a vehicle battery

The 12-volt vehicle battery has been de-

signed to suit its location and has specific

safety features. If the battery needs to be re-

placed, it is recommended that it be installed

by an official CUPRA qualified workshop.

There are two different colours:

Yellow or colourless: The battery's electro-

lyte level is too low. Go to a specialised

336

Practical tips -> 12-volt battery for Your Cupra Formentor SUV First Generation (2020-2024)

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