Get Checking and filling -> Charging, replacing, disconnecting, or connecting the 12 V vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

Depending on the vehicle equipment, an additional bracket must be removed to see the viewing window. An additional tool that is not available in the vehicle tool ki

is required to do this. Always have the acid level of the 12 V vehicle battery checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Fig. 196 On the top of the 12 V vehicle battery: Window (general example).

Make sure there is enough lighting to clearly see the color indicator in the circular window on the top of the 12 V vehicle battery ﬁg. 196.

The color indicator in the circular window changes depending on the acid level in the 12 V vehicle battery.

Light yellow or colorless The 12 V vehicle battery acid level is too low. Have the 12 V vehicle battery replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Black

The 12 V vehicle battery acid level is OK.

The acid level of 12 V vehicle batteries labeled AGM cannot be checked for technical reasons. Suitably qualiﬁed professionals can inspect the battery. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Charging, replacing, disconnecting, or connecting the 12 V vehicle battery

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

If you suspect that the 12 V vehicle battery is damaged or malfunctioning, see suitably qualiﬁed professionals to have the 12 V vehicle battery checked. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Charging the 12 V vehicle battery

The 12 V vehicle battery should be charged by suitably qualiﬁed professionals because the 12 V vehicle battery that is installed at the factory requires a charging

process where the voltage is limited ⇒

. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Replacing the 12 V vehicle battery

The 12 V vehicle battery is designed to ﬁt the location where it is installed and is equipped with safety features. If a 12 V vehicle battery needs to be replaced, have

the replacement part ﬁtted by qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Check with qualiﬁed professionals to ﬁnd out the component information regarding size and the required maintenance, performance, and safety features.

They must possess the necessary technical documentation and equipment. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. The vent opening on the 12 V vehicle battery must always be located on the negative terminal side. The vent opening on the positive

terminal side must always be sealed ⇒

Only use a maintenance-free 12 V vehicle battery that conforms to the TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73 standards. These standards must be from October 2014 or later.

Always have the 12 V vehicle battery replaced by qualiﬁed professionals because the vehicle electronics must be adapted as part of the replacement. Only qualiﬁed

professionals have the necessary equipment to perform the adaptation and have access to the correct replacement batteries.

Disconnecting the 12 V vehicle battery

If the 12 V vehicle battery must be disconnected from the vehicle electrical system, note the following:

1. Switch off all electrical consumers.

2. Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery. Otherwise, the anti-theft alarm system will be triggered.

3. Disconnect the negative cable ﬁrst, and then the positive cable ⇒

320

Connecting the 12 V vehicle battery

If the 12 V vehicle battery must be connected to the vehicle electrical system, note the following:

1. Switch off all electrical consumers.

2. Connect the positive cable ﬁrst, and then the negative cable ⇒

Various indicator lights may turn on after connecting the 12 V vehicle battery and switching the ignition on. They will turn off after driving a short distance at a speed

of approximately 10–12 mph (15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights light up and remain on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility and have the vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

If the 12 V vehicle battery was disconnected for a long period of time, the next scheduled maintenance may not display correctly or it may not be calculated correctl

⇒ Service interval display. Follow the maximum permissible maintenance interval ⇒ Maintenance.

Vehicles with a starter button: If the ignition cannot be switched on after connecting the 12 V vehicle battery, carry out the following activities:

1. Lock and unlock the vehicle from the outside.

2. Try to switch the ignition on again.

3. If the ignition will not switch on, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Automatic equipment deactivation

If the ignition is switched on for a very long time when the engine is off or the parking light is switched on when parking for a very long time, the intelligent power

management cannot always prevent the 12 V vehicle battery from being drained.

If the 12 V vehicle battery is under a heavy load, the intelligent power management will automatically begin certain measures to prevent the 12 V vehicle battery

from draining.

The idle speed will be increased so that the alternator delivers more power.

If necessary, equipment that uses a lot of power will have its performance limited or will be switched off.

The power supply to the 12 V socket will be interrupted temporarily when the engine is started.

12 V Vehicle Battery Draining

If the battery is drained, it may not be possible to start the engine. The 12 V vehicle battery will be drained in the following situations:

If the vehicle is parked for long periods of time without running the engine, especially if the ignition is on.

If electrical equipment is used when the ignition is switched off.

WARNING

Securing the vehicle battery incorrectly or using the wrong 12 V vehicle battery can cause short circuits, ﬁres, and serious injuries.

Always use maintenance-free and leak-proof 12 V vehicle batteries that have the same characteristics, speciﬁcations, and dimensions as the 12 V

vehicle battery that was installed at the factory.

WARNING

A highly explosive mixture of hydrogen gas can form when charging the 12 V vehicle battery.

Only charge 12 V vehicle batteries in well-ventilated areas.

Never charge a frozen or thawed 12 V vehicle battery. A drained 12 V vehicle battery can freeze at temperatures around 32 °F (0 °C).

Always replace the 12 V vehicle battery if it freezes.

WARNING

A highly explosive mixture of gas forms in the 12 V vehicle battery when operating the vehicle.

For vehicles with the 12 V vehicle battery in the vehicle interior or luggage compartment, ensure that the degassing hose is connected to the 12 V vehicle

battery correctly. The degassing hose must always be connected to the negative terminal side of the 12-volt vehicle battery. If there is an opening on the

positive terminal side of the 12-volt vehicle battery, it must always be capped.

CAUTION

Cables that are connected incorrectly can cause a short circuit. This may damage the on-board electronics.

Connect the positive cable ﬁrst and then the negative cable.

321

NOTICE

The electrical system or electrical components could be damaged and electrical malfunctions could result.

Never connect or disconnect the 12 V vehicle batteries when the ignition is on or the engine is running.

Never connect accessories that provide power, such as solar panels or battery chargers, to the 12 V socket in order to charge the 12 V vehicle battery.

Never use a 12 V vehicle battery that does not conform to the vehicle speciﬁcations.

12 V vehicle batteries can contain toxic substances such as sulfuric acid and lead. Dispose of 12 V vehicle batteries correctly.

Battery acid can pollute the environment. Collect spilled battery acid and dispose of it correctly.

Troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

12-volt power supply

The red warning light turns on. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Do not continue driving! Possible failure of the electrical system.

1. Stop the vehicle immediately and park it safely.

2. Turn off electrical equipment that is not needed.

3. Switch the ignition off.

4. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

If the red warning light comes on, the start-stop system is switched off. The start-stop system will only be automatically switched on again after the engine is

restarted.

12-volt power supply

The yellow indicator light turns on. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Messages about the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery.

1. Let the engine run so that the 12 V vehicle battery can be recharged.

2. If the message about the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery does not turn off after a few minutes despite the measures having been taken, then

contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Messages about the 12 V power supply.

1. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

If the yellow indicator light lights up, the start-stop system will not be able to start the engine. If the yellow indicator light has turned off, the 12 V vehicle battery has

sufﬁcient battery charge level to automatically restart the engine.

322

Checking and filling -> Charging, replacing, disconnecting, or connecting the 12 V vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

Related Topics

Checking and filling

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals