Get Vehicle battery -> Introduction Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Vehicle battery

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning light

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.

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. Seri-

ous personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

Location of the vehicle battery

Depending upon the engine type, the 12 Volt vehicle battery is locat-

ed in the engine compartment or behind a cover in the luggage com-

partment. On vehicles with a 3.6 liter engine, the battery is behind a

trim panel in the left rear corner of the luggage compartment.

Vehicles with the battery located in the luggage compartment are

equipped with a battery isolator feature. In a collision, the airbag con-

trol module triggers a small pyrotechnic charge that physically dis-

connects the battery from the engine starter motor and the positive

jump-start terminal in the engine compartment.

Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol

Meaning

Always wear eye protection!

Symbol

Meaning

Battery acid is highly corrosive. Al-

ways wear protective gloves and eye

protection!

Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking

are prohibited!

When a battery is charged, it produc-

es hydrogen gas which is highly ex-

plosive!

Always keep children away from bat-

tery acid and vehicle batteries!

More information:

⇒ꢀBooklet Warranty and Maintenance

Working in the engine compartment

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

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 elec-

trical 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 bat-

teries 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 unprotect-

ed 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, immedi-

ately 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 reconnect-

ing 12 Volt batteries. Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then

the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of the connec-

tions. This could cause a fire.

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the bat-

tery 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.

Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a

vehicle battery that is located in the luggage compartment.

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.

NOTICE

Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an ex-

tended 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.

Undeployed battery isolator modules are classified as Perchlo-

rate Material. Special handling may apply – see

http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all appli-

cable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehi-

cle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safe-

ty belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the require-

ments, and we recommend that you have them perform this service

for you.

Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak ve-

hicle battery or after the vehicle battery has been replaced may

change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal con-

venience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct

as necessary once the vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.

Warning light

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

See an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Have the electrical

system checked.

F

Alternator malfunction.

Switch off unnecessary electri-

cal loads. The vehicle battery

will not be charged by the al-

ternator 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 mes-

sages 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.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in

vehicle damage.

Vehicle battery -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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