Get Do-it-yourself -> 12-volt vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen T-Roc SUV First Generation (2017-2025)

The 12-volt vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system and serves to supply power in the vehicle. In the scope of

maintenance work, the 12-volt vehicle battery is checked and where required, replaced.

You should only carry out work on the electrical system if you know exactly how to perform the required tasks, are aware of the general

safety procedures and have access to the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Failing to carry out work correctly can

cause serious injuries →

.

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).

Battery switch-off in an accident in which the airbag is triggered

In vehicles with a 12-volt vehicle battery in the vehicle interior or luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the 12-volt

vehicle battery is automatically disconnected pyrotechnically in the event of an accident in which the airbags are triggered. This

prevents a short circuit. You can find further information on the location of the vehicle battery in the section (→ 12-volt vehicle

battery).

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 fire, sparks, naked lights or smoking!

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the 12-volt vehicle battery is charging!

Always keep children away from electrolyte and the 12-volt 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. This can

cause severe injuries.

● Always read and observe the warnings on the 12-volt vehicle battery.

● 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.

● When working with the 12-volt vehicle battery, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected from acid

spillage.

● Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.

● Never short circuit battery terminals.

● All work should be carried out by a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

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.

NOTICE

Ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.

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

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.

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. Only suitably qualified workshops have the technology required to carry out this adjustment and also

the correct replacement batteries.

Disconnecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

Please note the following if the 12-volt vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical system in the vehicle:

1. Switch all electrical consumers off.

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

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

.

Connecting the 12-volt vehicle battery

Please observe the following if the 12-volt vehicle battery has to be connected to the electrical system in the vehicle:

1. Switch all electrical consumers off.

2. 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 switched on. They will go

out if you drive a short distance at a speed of around 15 km/h to 20 km/h (around 10 mph to 12 mph). If the indicator lamps stay lit,

the vehicle should be checked by a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

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 (→ Service interval display). Observe the maximum permissible service intervals .

Vehicles with starter button: Perform the following actions if the ignition cannot be switched on after connecting the 12-volt vehicle

battery:

1. Lock and unlock the vehicle from the outside.

2. Try to switch on the ignition again.

3. Please seek expert assistance if the ignition cannot be switched on.

Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers

If the ignition is switched on for an extended period when the engine is switched off or the exterior lighting is switched on for a long

time when the vehicle is parked, the intelligent onboard supply management system cannot always prevent discharge of the 12-volt

vehicle battery.

If the 12-volt vehicle battery is subject to high loads, the intelligent onboard supply management system automatically performs

various measures to prevent discharge of the 12-volt vehicle battery.

—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 may be interrupted briefly while the engine is being started.

Discharge of 12-volt vehicle battery

It may not be possible to start the engine if the battery is discharged. The 12-volt vehicle battery is discharged in the following

situations:

—By long standing periods without running the engine, especially if the ignition is switched on.

—Through use of electrical consumers when the ignition is switched off.

WARNING

Use of a 12-volt vehicle battery that does not have the same specifications and dimensions as the factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle

battery can lead to short circuits or cause a fire. This can result in serious or fatal injuries.

● Always use a maintenance-free and leak-proof 12-volt vehicle battery that has the same specifications and dimensions as the

factory-fitted 12-volt vehicle battery.

WARNING

Improper mounting of 12-volt vehicle batteries can lead to short circuits or cause a fire. This can result in serious or fatal injuries.

● Always secure the 12-volt vehicle battery at the mounting points provided in the vehicle.

● Fit all covers necessary for the vehicle on the battery again.

WARNING

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the 12-volt vehicle battery is being charged. Sparks or naked flames can ignite

the explosive gas mixture. This can result in serious burns.

● 12-volt vehicle batteries should only be charged in well-ventilated spaces.

● Keep sparks and naked flames away from the 12-volt vehicle battery.

WARNING

If the hose for the central gas venting system is not correctly secured on the 12-volt vehicle battery, the highly explosive gas mixture

that is produced during vehicle operation can enter the vehicle interior. The explosive gas can ignite and cause serious or fatal

injuries.

● In vehicles with the 12-volt vehicle battery in the vehicle interior or luggage compartment, make sure that the hose for the central

gas venting system is connected properly to the 12-volt vehicle battery. The vent line must always be attached on the negative

terminal side of the 12-volt vehicle battery.

● Always make sure that the opening on the positive terminal side of the 12-volt vehicle battery is sealed.

CAUTION

Discharged 12-volt vehicle batteries can already freeze at temperatures of around 0°C (+32°F). Acid can leak from a 12-volt vehicle

battery that has frozen and then thawed again. This can cause injuries and damage to the vehicle in the long term.

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

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

CAUTION

Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short circuit. This can damage the vehicle electronics system and cause injuries.

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

NOTICE

If the 12-volt vehicle battery is disconnected or connected when the ignition is switched on or when the engine is running, this can

result in damage to the electrical system and electronic components and electrical malfunction can occur.

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

NOTICE

If accessories that supply electric power are connected to the 12-volt socket to charge the 12-volt vehicle battery, this can damage

the electrical system and the electronic components and lead to electrical malfunctions.

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

the 12-volt vehicle battery.

12-volt power supply

The warning lamp lights up red.

Do not drive on! Possible failure of the electrical system.

A message is shown on the instrument cluster display.

1. Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place.

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

3. Stop the engine and switch off the ignition.

4. Seek expert assistance.

When the red warning lamp is lit up, the start/stop system is switched off. The start/stop system will be switched on again

automatically when the engine is restarted.

12-volt power supply

The indicator lamp lights up yellow.

A message with information on the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is shown on the instrument cluster display.

1. Allow the engine to run so that the 12-volt vehicle battery can be recharged.

2. Seek expert assistance if the message about the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery does not disappear after a few

minutes in spite of the measures performed.

A message with information on the 12-volt power supply is shown on the instrument cluster display.

1. Seek expert assistance.

When the yellow indicator lamp is lit up, the start/stop system cannot start the engine. When the yellow indicator lamp has gone out,

the charge level of the 12-volt vehicle battery is sufficient for an automatic engine restart.

Wheels are the most heavily loaded 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 wheels and tyres approved by Volkswagen have been carefully selected.

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

Wheel rims, tyres and wheel bolts

Wheel rims, tyres and wheel bolts are matched 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 wheel rims from other vehicles. This can also apply to

wheel rims of the same vehicle type. Always contact a suitably qualified workshop if you wish to change to other tyre and wheel rim

combinations. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

The correct wheel bolts must be used for all vehicle types; these bolts must always be tightened with the correct tightening torque

(→ Wheel bolts).

Declaration of conformity for wheels and tyres

Applies only in India: Tyres fitted in the vehicle meet the requirement of BIS and comply with the requirements under the Central Motor

Vehicle Rules (CMVR), 1989.

WARNING

Incorrect handling of wheels can reduce vehicle safety and cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.

Do-it-yourself -> 12-volt vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen T-Roc SUV First Generation (2017-2025)

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