2017-2020 Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Checking and refilling -> Vehicle battery User Manual
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Checking and refilling -> Vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

expressly conforms to quality standard VW Standard 501 14 for optimum performance of the brake system. Check the information on the container for the brake  
fluid you want to use to make sure it meets the requirements for your vehicle.  
Brake fluid that complies with VW Standard 501 14 can be purchased from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
If this special brake fluid is not available you may – under these circumstances – use another high quality brake fluid that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle  
Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 ⇒ ꢀ.  
Please note, however, that not all brake fluids that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4 have the same chemical  
composition. Some of these brake fluids can contain chemicals that could, over time, degrade or damage internal parts of the vehicle’s brake system.  
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you use brake fluid that expressly complies with VW Standard 501 14 for optimum brake system performance over the  
long term.  
Brake fluid level  
The fluid level in the transparent brake fluid reservoir must always be between the MIN and MAX marking  
⇒
ꢀ.  
On some vehicles, engine components may partially block the view of the brake fluid reservoir and make it impossible to see the brake fluid level. If you cannot  
clearly see the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes are automatically adjusted.  
Changing brake fluid  
Brake fluid must be changed according to the service schedule in your ⇒Booklet Warranty and Maintenance,. Have the brake fluid checked by an authorized  
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Refill only with new brake fluid that meets the standards listed above.  
WARNING  
Brake failure and reduced brake performance can be caused by not having enough brake fluid in the reservoir or by old or incorrect brake fluid.  
Check the brake system and brake fluid level regularly.  
Always change the brake fluid according to the service schedule in your ⇒Booklet Warranty and Maintenance,.  
Hard braking with old brake fluid may cause vapor lock. Vapor lock reduces braking performance, increases stopping distances and can even cause total  
brake failure.  
Always make sure that only the correct brake fluid is used. Only use brake fluid that expressly conforms to VW Standard 501 14 or, if it is not available, only  
use a high-quality brake fluid that conforms to U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 requirements.  
Using another brake fluid, or one that is not of high quality, can impair the function of the brake system and reduce its effectiveness. If the container does  
not say that the brake fluid complies with VW Standard 501 14, or U.S. Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4, do not use it.  
The brake fluid must be new.  
WARNING  
Brake fluid is poisonous.  
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use food, beverage or other non-original containers to store brake fluid. Someone might be misled by the original  
label on the container, or by the shape of the container, and drink the brake fluid. This could occur even if you relabel the container as brake fluid.  
Only store brake fluid in the closed, original container and keep it out of the reach of children.  
NOTE  
Brake fluid will damage vehicle paint, plastic parts, and tires. Wipe any brake fluid off vehicle paint and other vehicle parts immediately.  
Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Brake fluid that has leaked out must be collected and disposed of properly, following all applicable environmental  
regulations.  
Vehicle battery  
Introduction to the subject  
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:  
⇒ Warning lightꢀ  
⇒ Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level ꢀ  
⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting, and connecting the vehicle battery ꢀ  
The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.  
296  
Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you  
know exactly how to carry out the job,  
have the correct technical information and the proper tools, and  
are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒ ꢀ!  
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may  
result from improperly performed work.  
Location of the vehicle battery  
The 12 Volt vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.  
Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery  
Symbol  
Meaning  
Always wear eye protection!  
Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection!  
Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking are prohibited!  
When a battery is charged, it produces hydrogen gas which is highly explosive!  
Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries!  
Always read and follow the information and WARNINGS in this Owner's Manual!  
WARNING  
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed  
the following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.  
Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard  
12 Volt battery.  
When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.  
Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.  
Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with your eyes, skin, or clothing.  
Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your  
risk of injury, never tilt the batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.  
If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you  
swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.  
When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).  
Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never  
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause a fire.  
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.  
Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical  
equipment. Never short circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.  
Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause  
explosions and chemical burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F  
(0 °C).  
If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.  
WARNING  
California Proposition 65 Warning  
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and  
reproductive harm. Wash your hands after handling.  
297  
NOTE  
Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.  
If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.  
Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle battery has been replaced may change or delete system  
settings (including time, date, personalized user profiles, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the vehicle battery has built up  
a sufficient charge.  
Warning light  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Lights up  
Proper response  
Alternator malfunction.  
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have the electrical system checked.  
Switch off unnecessary electrical loads. The vehicle battery will not be charged by the alternator as you drive.  
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.  
WARNING  
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal  
injury.  
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.  
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
NOTE  
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.  
Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level  
Fig. 216 In the engine compartment: Open the sleeve covering of the vehicle battery.  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Check the electrolyte level of the battery regularly if the vehicle has high mileage (km), in places with a warm climate, and if the vehicle has an old battery. Otherwis  
the vehicle battery does not require maintenance.  
Preparations  
Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine compartment ⇒ In the engine compartmentꢀ.  
Open the engine hood ⇒ ꢀ.  
Opening and closing the battery cover  
To open, fold the cover to the side in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 216ꢀ.  
To close, fold the cover against the direction of the arrow.  
298  
Checking the vehicle battery acid level  
If the lighting conditions are poor, use a flashlight so that you can clearly see the battery acid level indicator and tell what color it is. Never use an open flame or  
an unprotected light source.  
The round battery window (acid level indicator) on the top of the battery changes color, depending on the battery's electrolyte level.  
Color  
Action  
Battery electrolyte level is too low. The vehicle battery may need to be replaced. Have it checked by an authorized  
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Light yellow or colorless  
Black  
Battery electrolyte level is satisfactory.  
WARNING  
Working on the batteries can cause serious acid burns, explosion, or electrical shock.  
Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.  
Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.  
Never tilt the vehicle battery. Acid could spill out of the battery vents and burn you.  
Never open a vehicle battery.  
If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and then get immediate medical attention.  
If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.  
Charging, replacing, disconnecting, and connecting the vehicle battery  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
Charging the vehicle battery  
Vehicle batteries should be charged by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility because the factory-installed battery  
requires a charger with overload protection ⇒ ꢀ.  
Replacing the vehicle battery  
The battery in your vehicle is specially developed for its location, with special dimensions and safety features. Before buying a new battery, ask an authorized  
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility what batteries are suitable with regard to electro-magnetic compatibility, dimensions, required  
maintenance, performance, and safety specifications.  
Only use maintenance-free vehicle batteries meeting standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. These standards must date from July 2012 or later.  
Particularly in vehicles with a special vehicle battery, for example, vehicles with the Start-stop system, always replace the vehicle battery with a battery with the  
same specifications.  
Have the battery replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Disconnecting the vehicle battery  
If the battery must be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system, note the following:  
Switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.  
Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery; otherwise the alarm system will go off.  
First disconnect the negative cable (-) and then the positive cable (+) ⇒ ꢀ.  
Connecting the vehicle battery  
Prior to reconnecting the battery, switch off all electrical systems and devices and the ignition.  
Connect the positive cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-) ⇒ ꢀ.  
After the battery is connected and the ignition is switched on, different indicator lights may light up. They should go out after you drive a short distance at 10–12 mp  
(15–20 km/h). If the indicator lights do not go out, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the vehicle  
checked.  
If the battery was disconnected for a long time, the next scheduled service may not be correctly calculated and displayed ⇒ Instrument clusterꢀ. The maximum  
permissible service and maintenance intervals are shown in the ⇒BookletWarranty and Maintenance,.  
Vehicles with Keyless Access  
299  

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