Get Vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

Introduction

The 12-volt 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 → . Otherwise, have all work carried out by a

correspondingly qualified workshop if necessary. 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

the chapter (→ 12-volt vehicle battery).

Number and location of the 12-volt vehicle battery

The 12-volt vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment. Depending on the vehicle equipment level, the

vehicle could also have two 12-volt vehicle batteries, while camper vans can have three 12-volt vehicle batteries. The

second 12-volt vehicle battery is located under the left front seat; the third battery in camper vans is located in the

wardrobe at the rear left of the vehicle.

Explanation of the warnings on the 12-volt 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 12-volt 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 12-volt vehicle battery

and also disconnect the negative cable from the 12-volt vehicle battery.

● Children should always be kept away from electrolyte and the 12-volt vehicle battery.

● 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 spillage.

● Never smoke and work near naked flames or sparks.

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

● Never short circuit battery terminals.

● Never use a damaged 12-volt vehicle battery. The 12-volt vehicle battery can explode. Replace a damaged 12-

volt vehicle battery immediately.

NOTICE

In vehicles with a second battery under the driver’s seat or a third battery in the luggage compartment, you must

ensure that the breather hose is connected properly to the 12-volt vehicle battery.

NOTICE

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The 12-volt vehicle battery housing can be damaged by ultraviolet radiation.

● Do not expose the 12-volt vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended time.

NOTICE

The 12-volt vehicle battery can “freeze” and be destroyed if the outside temperature is very low and the vehicle is

stationary for a long time.

● Protect the 12-volt vehicle battery against frost if the vehicle is left standing for extended periods.

When you start the engine after the 12-volt vehicle battery has been totally discharged or changed, you may

find that system settings e.g. time, date, personal convenience settings and programming have been changed

or deleted. Check and correct the settings as necessary once the 12-volt vehicle battery has been sufficiently

charged.

Checking the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery

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.

Preparations

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

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

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

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

battery (general guide).

Depending on equipment, it may be necessary to remove an additional bracket in order to view the battery window.

An additional tool that is not included in the vehicle toolkit is required for this purpose.

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

12-volt vehicle battery → Fig. 1.

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

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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

and replaced by a qualified workshop if necessary.

Black

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

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

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

WARNING

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

● Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.

● Never use naked flames or glowing objects as a light source.

● 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 spillage.

● 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 sprayed into your eye or onto your skin, rinse the affected area immediately for several minutes with

cold water. Then consult a doctor immediately.

● If electrolyte is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.

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

1. If you suspect that the 12-volt vehicle battery is damaged or faulty, go to a suitably qualified workshop and

have the 12-volt vehicle battery checked.

Charging the 12-volt vehicle battery

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

used in factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle batteries requires voltage-limited charging →

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, the replacement part must be installed by a workshop qualified to do

this. For component information on size and the required maintenance, capacity and safety features, please contact a

correspondingly qualified workshop, which must have the necessary technical documentation and equipment. 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 12-volt 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.

The 12-volt vehicle battery must always be replaced by a workshop qualified to do this, as the vehicle electronics

must be adapted as part of the replacement process. In addition, the battery parameters for functional safety were

determined only with the original equipment battery. Only correspondingly qualified workshops have the technology

required to carry out this adjustment and also the correct replacement batteries. The use of unsuitable batteries can

render the type approval invalid.

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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:

1. Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.

2. Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the anti-theft alarm(if fitted).

3. First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable→

Connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

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

2. First connect 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

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

indicator lamps continue to light up, have the vehicle checked by a suitably 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 . Observe the maximum permissible service intervals .

Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers

The vehicle electrical system cannot always prevent the 12-volt vehicle battery from discharging.

—For example, when the ignition is switched on for an extended period with the engine off, or when the side or

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

To prevent the 12-volt vehicle battery from discharging, the intelligent vehicle electrics management system

automatically implements certain measures when the 12-volt vehicle battery is subjected to heavy loads:

—The idling speed is increased so that the alternator provides more electricity.

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

—The power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter may be interrupted temporarily while the engine

is being started.

12-volt vehicle battery is discharged

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.

WARNING

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the 12-volt vehicle battery is being charged.

● Charge 12-volt vehicle batteries only in well-ventilated spaces.

● Never charge a 12-volt vehicle battery which is frozen or has been frozen. Discharged 12-volt vehicle batteries

can even freeze at temperatures of approx. 0°C (+32°F).

● The 12-volt vehicle battery must be replaced if it has ever frozen.

Troubleshooting

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WARNING

Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short circuit.

● First connect the positive cable and then the negative cable.

NOTICE

● Never connect or disconnect 12-volt vehicle batteries if the ignition is switched on or the engine is running.

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 supplies electric power, such as a solar panel 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 applicable regulations. 12-volt vehicle

batteries may contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead.

Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are spilled and dispose of

them correctly and with respect for the environment.

12-volt vehicle battery

The indicator lamp lights up red.

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.

1. Switch off any electrical consumers that are not required.

2. Seek expert assistance.

3. Have the electrical system checked.

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

1. Seek expert assistance.

2. Have the electrical system checked.

The start/stop system cannot start the engine .

Introduction

Wheels are the most used and most underestimated parts of a vehicle. Wheels are very important as the narrow tyre

surfaces are the only contact between the vehicle and the road.

The tyres and wheel rims approved for the vehicle have been carefully selected.

The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving style, handling and correct fitting.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends that all work on wheels is carried out by a suitably qualified

workshop. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary special tools and spare parts and the proper

facilities for disposing of the old tyres.

Wheel rims, tyres and wheel bolts

Wheel rims, tyres and wheel bolts have be adjusted to the vehicle type. If different wheel rims are fitted, the correct

wheel bolts with the correct length and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that the brakes work

properly and that the vehicle drives quietly and safely. For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the

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Vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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