Get Vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen Caddy SUV Fifth Generation (2020-2025)

Brake fluid level

The indicator lamp lights up red.

Brake fluid level is too low.

Do not drive on! Check the brake fluid level.

If the brake fluid level is too low, inform a qualified workshop. Have the brake system checked.

Brake fluid change

The brake fluid should be changed by a qualified workshop. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose. Only brake fluid that conforms with the required

specification should be used.

WARNING

Brake failure or reduced braking efficiency can be caused by the brake fluid level being too low or by brake fluid that

is too old or unsuitable.

● The brake system and brake fluid level must be checked regularly.

● The brake fluid should be changed regularly.

● Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system for too long. Vapour locks

reduce levels of braking power, considerably increase braking distance and can cause the brake system to fail

completely.

● Please ensure that the correct brake fluid is used. Only use brake fluid that is explicitly compliant with VW

standard 501 14.

● Any other brake fluid or a low-quality one can affect the functioning of the brakes and reduce their effectiveness.

● If a brake fluid compliant with VW standard 501 14 is not available, use a high-quality brake fluid compliant with

DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 6 or the US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4, but only in exceptional circumstances.

● The refilled brake fluid must be new.

WARNING

Brake fluid is toxic.

● In order to reduce the risk of poisoning, never use bottles or other containers to store brake fluid. There is always

a risk of someone drinking from such containers, even if they are labelled appropriately.

● Brake fluid must always be stored in its original sealed container and kept out of the reach of children.

NOTICE

Brake fluid that has leaked or been spilt can damage the vehicle paintwork, plastic parts and tyres. Wipe off brake

fluid that has leaked or been spilled immediately from all parts of the vehicle.

Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Any spilt service fluids must be cleaned up and disposed of

properly.

Introduction

The vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system in the vehicle.

Never carry out any work on the electrical system if you are not familiar with the necessary procedures and the

general safety requirements and only unsuitable tools are available → . The work should be carried out by a

qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends using a Volkswagen

Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose. Serious injuries can be caused if work is carried out incorrectly.

Information on warning and indicator lamps that light up can be found in the troubleshooting sections at the end of

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the chapter (→ 12-volt vehicle battery).

Number and location of the vehicle battery

The vehicle battery is located on the left of the engine compartment.

Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Always wear eye protection!

Electrolyte is very corrosive and caustic. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection!

No fires, sparks, naked lights or smoking!

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the vehicle battery is charging!

Always keep children away from electrolyte and the vehicle battery.

Always observe the owner's manual!

WARNING

Any work on the vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious chemical burns, fire or electric shocks.

Always read the following warnings and safety information before carrying out any kind of work:

● Switch off the ignition and all electrical consumers before carrying out any work on the vehicle battery and also

disconnect the negative cable from the vehicle battery.

● Children should always be kept away from electrolyte and the vehicle battery.

● Always wear eye protection.

● Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When working with the battery,

ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid spillages.

● Do not smoke during the work, and never work near naked flames or sparks.

● When handling cables and electrical equipment, avoid generating sparks and electrostatic charge.

● Never short circuit the battery poles.

● Never use a damaged vehicle battery. It can explode. Damaged vehicle batteries must be replaced as soon as

possible.

● Damaged or frozen vehicle batteries must be replaced immediately. Discharged vehicle batteries can even freeze

at temperatures of around 0°C (+32°F).

● In vehicles with a second battery under the driver's seat or a third battery in the luggage compartment: Ensure

that the gas discharge hose is correctly attached to the vehicle battery.

NOTICE

● Do not allow direct sunlight onto the vehicle battery for an extended period as the UV rays could damage the

battery housing.

● If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect the vehicle battery from frost. If it

freezes it will be damaged.

● Vehicles with a start/stop system are fitted with a special vehicle battery. The installation of a different vehicle

battery could cause problems with the vehicle electronics. When replacing the vehicle battery, only insert a

battery with specifications that correspond exactly with those of the original battery.

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After starting the engine with a discharged vehicle battery, or after the battery has been changed, system

settings (time, date, personal convenience settings and programming)may have been changed or deleted.

Check and correct the settings as necessary once the vehicle battery has been sufficiently charged.

Checking the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery

Fig. 1 Battery window on the top of the 12-volt vehicle

battery (general guide).

The electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery should be checked regularly in high-mileage vehicles, in hot

countries and in older 12-volt vehicle batteries. The 12-volt vehicle battery is otherwise maintenance-free.

For technical reasons, you cannot check the electrolyte level of 12-volt vehicle batteries marked with . Go to a

qualified workshop to have the 12-volt vehicle battery checked.

Preparations

—Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment (→ In the engine compartment).

—Open the bonnet (→ In the engine compartment).

—If fitted: Loosen the screw on the mounting bracket and remove the bracket from the 12-volt vehicle battery→

.

The mounting bracket is installed by following the same steps in reverse order.

Checking the electrolyte level (12-volt vehicle batteries with battery window)

—Ensure that enough light is available for you to clearly see the colour indicator in the round battery window on the

top of the 12-volt vehicle battery (arrow) → Fig. 1. Never use naked flames or glowing matter(e.g. cigarettes) as a

light source.

—The colour indicator in the round window changes according to the electrolyte level in the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Light yellow or without colour

The electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low. The 12-volt vehicle battery should be checked by

a qualified workshop and replaced if necessary.

Black

The electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is correct.

WARNING

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Any work on the 12-volt vehicle battery can cause serious chemical burns, explosions and electric shocks.

● Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.

● Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When working with the 12-volt

vehicle battery, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid spillages.

● Never tilt the 12-volt vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause chemical burns.

● Never open a 12-volt vehicle battery.

● If acid is spilt in your eye or on your skin, rinse immediately for several minutes with cold water. Then consult a

doctor immediately.

● If acid is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.

NOTICE

You will need additional tools to remove the mounting bracket.

● Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends having the 12-volt vehicle battery checked by a qualified

workshop.

Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

Charging the 12-volt vehicle battery

The 12-volt vehicle battery should always be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-

fitted 12-volt vehicle batteries requires voltage-limited charging → . Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

recommends using a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership for this purpose.

Replacing the 12-volt vehicle battery

The 12-volt vehicle battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has special safety features.

If a 12-volt vehicle battery has to be replaced, discuss the electromagnetic compatibility, size and necessary

servicing, output and safety requirements for the new 12-volt vehicle battery with a Volkswagen Commercial

Vehicles dealership before purchase. The ventilation opening of the 12-volt vehicle battery must always be on the

negative terminal side. The ventilation opening on the positive terminal side must always be sealed.

Only maintenance-free vehicle batteries compliant with the standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73 should be used.

These standards must be dated October 2014 or later.

Always have the 12-volt vehicle battery replaced by a qualified workshop, as the vehicle electronics must be adapted

as part of the replacement process. Only qualified workshops have the technology required to carry out this

adjustment correctly. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that the 12-volt vehicle battery is replaced by a

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealership.

Disconnecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

Please note the following if the vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical system in the vehicle:

—Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.

—Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the alarm.

—First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable→

.

Connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

—Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition before reconnecting the vehicle battery.

—First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative cable→

.

Various indicator lamps may light up after the 12-volt vehicle battery has been connected and the ignition is

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switched on. They will go out if you drive a short distance at a speed of 15 – 20 km/h (10 – 12 mph). If the indicator

lamps remain lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a qualified workshop.

If the 12-volt vehicle battery was disconnected for an extended period, the system may not able to calculate or

correctly display the time when the next service is due (→ Instrument cluster). Observe the maximum permissible

service intervals .

Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers

An intelligent vehicle electrical system management function automatically implements a range of measures to

prevent the 12-volt battery from discharging under high loads:

—The performance of large electrical consumers may be reduced or they may be switched off completely.

The vehicle electrical system cannot always prevent the 12-volt vehicle battery from discharging. For example, if the

ignition is switched on for an extended period when the vehicle’s drive system is deactivated, or if the side or parking

lights are on when the vehicle is parked for an extended period.

What causes the 12-volt vehicle battery to discharge?

The 12-volt vehicle battery will discharge if you use electrical consumers when the engine is switched off.

WARNING

Incorrectly securing the battery and using incorrect 12-volt vehicle batteries can cause short circuits, fire and

serious injuries.

● Always use maintenance-free and leak-proof 12-volt vehicle batteries that have the same properties,

specifications and dimensions as the factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle battery.

● In vehicles with the 12-volt vehicle battery in the luggage compartment or vehicle interior, ensure that the

breather hose is connected properly to the 12-volt vehicle battery. Make sure that there is no open ventilation

opening in the area of the positive terminal. If an open ventilation opening is located in this area, it must be

blocked with a sealing plug. The breather hose must be connected to the open ventilation opening in the area of

the negative battery terminal.

NOTICE

● Never connect or disconnect 12-volt vehicle batteries when the electric drive is activated. Never use a 12-volt

vehicle battery that does not correspond with the vehicle's specifications. This can damage the electrical system

or electronic components, which can cause electrical faults.

● Never connect equipment that provides electric power, such as solar panels or a battery charger, to the 12-volt

sockets or to the cigarette lighter to charge the 12-volt vehicle battery. This can damage the vehicle electrical

system.

Dispose of the 12-volt vehicle battery in accordance with the regulations. 12-volt vehicle batteries may

contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead.

Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Clean up any service fluid leakages and dispose of them

properly.

Troubleshooting

12-volt vehicle battery

The indicator lamp lights up red. The following text messages can be displayed:

—12V battery is not charging. Safely stop the vehicle!or

—Fault: 12V battery is not charging. Safely stop the vehicle!or

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—Fault: 12V onboard supply. Safely stop the vehicle! Consult owner's manual.

Do not drive on! Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

The 12-volt vehicle battery will not be charged while the vehicle is in motion.

—Switch off any electrical consumers that are not required.

—Inform a qualified workshop.

—Have the electrical system checked.

There is a fault in the 12-volt vehicle electrical system.

—Inform a qualified workshop.

—Have the electrical system checked.

The start/stop system cannot start the engine

12-volt vehicle battery

The indicator lamp lights up yellow. The following text message is displayed:

—Fault: 12 V battery. Unable to restart. Workshop!

Fault in the connection between the vehicle electrical system and the 12-volt vehicle battery.

If the engine is switched off in this situation, it cannot be switched back on again. Start the vehicle using jump leads

if necessary or seek expert assistance.

—Go to qualified workshop.

—Have the electrical system checked.

12-volt vehicle battery

The indicator lamp lights up yellow. The following text message may be displayed:

—Fault: 12 V battery diagnosis. Please visit workshop.

Fault in the system for monitoring the 12-volt vehicle battery.

—Go to qualified workshop.

—Have the electrical system checked.

Or

—Fault: 12V onboard supply. Please visit workshop..

There is a fault in the 12-volt vehicle electrical system.

—Go to qualified workshop.

—Have the electrical system checked.

12-volt vehicle battery

The indicator lamp lights up yellow. The following text message is displayed:

—Please replace the 12 V battery. Visit workshop.

The 12-volt vehicle battery has almost reached the end of its service life.

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Vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Caddy SUV Fifth Generation (2020-2025)

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