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12-volt vehicle battery -> Checking the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Polo SUV Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

NOTICE  
The 12-volt vehicle battery can freeze and be destroyed as a result.  
Protect the 12-volt vehicle battery against frost if the vehicle is left standing for extended periods.  
System settings after battery replacement  
System settings may have been changed or deleted if the 12-volt vehicle battery has been replaced or after jump starting.  
1. Check the date and time and adjust if necessary.  
2. Check the personal convenience settings and adjust and save if necessary.  
12-volt vehicle batteries may contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. Dispose of the 12-volt vehicle battery  
in a proper and environmentally responsible manner and only at a collection point for used batteries, e.g. a recycling centre  
or specialist company.  
Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are spilled and dispose of them in a proper  
and environmentally responsible manner.  
The 12-volt vehicle battery is maintenance-free.  
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.  
Location of 12-volt vehicle battery  
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the 12-volt vehicle battery may be located in the bonnet space or under or behind a cover in the  
luggage compartment.  
Preparations  
1. Prepare the vehicle for working in the bonnet space.  
2. Wear eye protection and protective gloves.  
3. Open the bonnet.  
Checking the electrolyte level on vehicles with a 12-volt vehicle battery in the bonnet space  
WARNING  
Battery acid is caustic. Contact with battery acid – especially if swallowed – can cause severe burns.  
Never open a 12-volt vehicle battery.  
Never tilt the 12-volt vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the gas vents.  
Protect the skin, face and especially the eyes while working with the 12-volt vehicle battery.  
Do not eat, drink or smoke when working on the 12-volt vehicle battery.  
Wash your skin with soap and water after working on the 12-volt vehicle battery.  
In case of acid contact on skin and hair, remove all soiled or soaked clothing and wash skin and hair with water. Consult a doctor.  
If acid comes into contact with the eyes, rinse the affected area gently with water for a few minutes. Then consult a doctor  
immediately.  
If you have swallowed acid, swallow activated charcoal and drink plenty of water immediately. Consult a doctor immediately.  
If you have inhaled acid mist, leave the danger zone and breathe in fresh air. Consult a doctor immediately.  
WARNING  
A highly explosive gas mixture is produced when working on the 12-volt vehicle battery. The explosive gas emitted from the 12-volt  
vehicle battery could be ignited by sparks. This can cause severe or fatal injuries.  
Always keep fire, sparks, naked flames and lit cigarettes away from the 12-volt vehicle battery.  
When handling cables and electrical equipment, avoid generating sparks and electrostatic discharge.  
Depending on equipment, an additional bracket must be removed to view the battery window. An additional tool that is not included in  
the vehicle toolkit is required for this purpose. Always have the electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery checked by a suitably  
qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
On the top of the 12-volt vehicle battery: battery window  
(illustration).  
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.  
Light yellow or without colour  
The electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is too low. Have the 12-volt vehicle battery replaced by a correspondingly  
qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
Black  
The electrolyte level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is correct.  
For technical reasons, it is not possible to check the electrolyte level of 12-volt vehicle batteries that are marked as AGM. The battery  
can be checked by a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
Checking the electrolyte level on vehicles with a 12-volt vehicle battery in the luggage compartment  
On vehicles with the 12-volt vehicle battery in the luggage compartment, the electrolyte level cannot be checked for technical reasons.  
1. Go to a suitably qualified workshop to have the 12-volt vehicle battery checked. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised  
Volkswagen repairer.  
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. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
Charging the 12-volt vehicle battery  
The 12-volt vehicle battery should be charged by a suitably qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle  
batteries requires voltage-limited charging . Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.  
Replacing the 12-volt vehicle battery  
The 12-volt vehicle battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its installation 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 suitably qualified workshop, which  
must have the necessary technical documentation and equipment. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.