Get Cleaning and maintenance -> Vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen Up 4 Door First Generation (2011-2019)

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Unscrew the cap carefully ⇒

Refill only new coolant according to the Volkswagen specification (⇒ Coolant specification) ⇒

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The coolant level must be between the marks on the expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 123. Do not fill up

over the top line of the marked area⇒

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Close the cap tightly.

If in an emergency you do not have access to the coolant of the required specification

(⇒ Coolant specification), do not use any other coolant additive. Instead, initially refill with

distilled water⇒

only. Then add the correct proportion of coolant additive as soon as

possible ⇒ Coolant specification.

WARNING

Hot steam or engine coolant can cause serious burns.

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Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or engine coolant coming out of the

engine compartment. Always wait until no escaping steam or coolant can be seen or

heard.

•

Always allow the engine to cool down completely before carefully opening the bonnet. Hot

components can burn the skin.

Before opening the bonnet once it has cooled down:

- Apply the handbrake fully and move the selector lever to position N or move the

manual gear lever to the neutral position.

- Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.

- Always keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave the

vehicle unattended.

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The engine cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never open the cap

of the coolant expansion tank when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause

serious burns and injuries.

- Turn the cap slowly and very carefully anticlockwise while exerting some downward

pressure on the cap.

- Always protect the face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large,

thick cloth.

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When refilling, do not spill any service fluids on engine components or on the exhaust

system. The spilt service fluids can start a fire. In certain circumstances, the ethylene

glycol in the engine can catch fire.

NOTICE

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Refill only with distilled water. All other types of water can cause corrosion in the engine

due to the chemical components contained therein. This can also lead to engine failure. If

any other type of water is refilled, the fluid in the engine cooling system should be

completely replaced immediately by a qualified workshop.

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Do not fill coolant above the top of the marked area ⇒ Fig. 123. Otherwise the excess

coolant will be pressed out of the cooling system when the engine is hot and could cause

damage.

If a large amount of coolant has been lost, do not refill the coolant until the engine has

cooled completely. Heavy coolant loss is an indication of leaks in the engine cooling

system. The engine cooling system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as

possible. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.

•

When refilling operating fluids, please ensure that the correct container is filled. The use of

incorrect operating fluids could result in serious malfunctions and engine damage!

Vehicle battery

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ Warning lamp

⇒ Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery

⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery

The 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 ⇒

. The

work should be carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Volkswagen recommends

using a Volkswagen dealership for this purpose. Serious injuries can be caused if work is carried

out incorrectly.

Location of the vehicle battery

The vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.

Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol

Meaning

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 acid and the vehicle battery!

Additional information and warnings:

•

⇒BookletService schedule,

Pull-away assist systems ⇒ Pull-away assist systems

Preparation for working in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine

compartment

•

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs

and renewal of parts

WARNING

Any work on the vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious chemical burns,

fire and 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

vehicle battery and also disconnect the negative cable from the vehicle battery.

•

Children should always be kept away from electrolyte and the vehicle battery.

Always wear eye protection.

Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When

working with the battery, protect your hands, arms and particularly your face from acid

spillages.

•

Do not smoke during the work, and never work near naked flames or sparks.

When handling cables and electrical equipment, avoid generating sparks and electrostatic

charge.

•

Never short circuit the battery poles.

Never use a damaged vehicle battery. It can explode. Damaged vehicle batteries must be

replaced as soon as possible.

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Damaged or frozen vehicle batteries must be replaced immediately. Discharged vehicle

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

NOTICE

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Do not allow direct sunlight onto the vehicle battery for an extended period as the UV rays

could damage the battery housing.

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If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect the vehicle battery

from frost. If it freezes it will be damaged.

NOTICE

Operation of the vehicle for a very long time at very high outside temperatures can lead to

vehicle battery damage.

After starting the engine with a discharged vehicle battery, or after the battery has been

changed, system settings (time, date, personal convenience settings and programming) may have

been changed or deleted. Check and correct the settings as necessary once the vehicle battery has

been sufficiently charged.

Warning lamp

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Lit up Possible cause

Fault in the alternator.

Solution

Proceed to a qualified workshop. The

electrical system should be checked.

Switch off all electrical equipment that is not

required. The vehicle battery will not be

charged by the alternator while the vehicle is

in motion.

Lit up Possible cause

Solution

Start/stop system cannot start the

engine.

⇒ Pull-away assist systems

Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is

switched on. They will switch off after a few seconds.

WARNING

Failure to observe the warning lamps could lead to your vehicle breaking down in traffic, and

to accidents and serious injuries.

•

Never ignore any warning lamps that are lit up.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to observe the illuminated indicator lamps could lead to the vehicle being damaged.

Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery

Fig. 125 In the engine compartment: possible position of the window on top of the vehicle battery

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

The electrolyte level of the vehicle battery should be checked regularly in high-mileage vehicles, in

hot countries and in older vehicle batteries. The vehicle battery is otherwise maintenance-free.

Vehicles with a start/stop system ⇒ Pull-away assist systems are fitted with special vehicle

batteries. For technical reasons, it might not be possible to check the electrolyte level in these

vehicle batteries.

Preparation

•

Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparation for working in the

engine compartment.

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Open the bonnet

⇒ .

Checking the electrolyte level

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Ensure that enough light is available for you to see the colours clearly. Never use naked flames

or glowing matter (e.g. cigarettes) as a light source.

•

The colour display in the round window ⇒ Fig. 125 on the top side of the vehicle battery will

change according to the electrolyte level.

Colour display

Light yellow or colourless

Black

Action

The electrolyte level of the vehicle is too low. The vehicle battery

should be checked and replaced by a qualified workshop if

necessary.

The electrolyte level of the vehicle battery is correct.

WARNING

Any work on the vehicle battery can cause serious chemical burns, explosions and electric

shocks.

•

Always wear eye protection and protective gloves.

Electrolyte is very aggressive. It can burn the skin and can cause blindness. When

working with the battery, protect your hands, arms and particularly your face from acid

spillages.

•

Never tilt the vehicle battery. Electrolyte may spill out of the battery vents and cause

chemical burns.

•

Never open a vehicle battery.

If acid is splashed onto your skin or into your eye, rinse immediately for several minutes

with cold water. Then consult a doctor immediately.

•

If acid is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.

Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Charging the battery

The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-

fitted batteries requires voltage-limited charging ⇒

Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

. Volkswagen recommends using a

Replacing a vehicle battery

The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has special safety

features. If a vehicle battery has to be replaced, discuss the electromagnetic compatibility, size and

necessary servicing, output and safety requirements for the new vehicle battery with a Volkswagen

dealership before purchase. Volkswagen recommends that the vehicle battery is changed by a

Volkswagen dealership.

Only maintenance-free vehicle batteries compliant with the standards TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73

should be used. These standards must be dated April 2008 or later.

Vehicles with start/stop system ⇒ Pull-away assist systems are equipped with a special vehicle

battery. These vehicle batteries may only be replaced by a vehicle battery with the same

specifications.

Disconnecting the vehicle battery

Please note the following if the vehicle battery has to be disconnected from the electrical system in

the vehicle:

•

Switch off all electrical consumers and the ignition.

Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery in order to avoid triggering the alarm.

First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable ⇒

Connecting the vehicle battery

•

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

•

First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative cable ⇒

Various indicator lamps may light up after the 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 15–20 km/h (10–12 mph). If

the indicator lamps remain lit up, the vehicle should be checked by a qualified workshop.

If the vehicle battery was disconnected for long periods, the system may not able to calculate or

correctly display the time when the next service is due ⇒ Instruments. Comply with the maximum

permissible service intervals ⇒BookletService schedule,.

Automatic switch-off for electrical consumers

The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range of measures to prevent

the battery from discharging under high 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.

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The power supply to the 12-volt socket and the cigarette lighter is interrupted temporarily while

the engine is being started.

The vehicle electrical system cannot always prevent the 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.

How the vehicle battery discharges:

•

Long periods at a standstill in which the engine is not running, especially if the ignition is

switched on.

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The use of electrical consumers when the engine is switched off.

WARNING

Incorrectly attaching the battery and using incorrect vehicle batteries can cause short circuits,

fire and serious injuries.

•

Always use maintenance-free and leak-proof batteries that have the same properties,

specifications and dimensions as the factory-fitted vehicle battery.

WARNING

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

•

Vehicle batteries should only be charged in well-ventilated spaces.

Never charge a vehicle battery once it has been frozen. Discharged vehicle batteries can

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

•

A vehicle battery must be replaced if it has been frozen.

Incorrectly connected cables can cause a short circuit. First connect the positive cable and

then the negative cable.

NOTICE

•

Never make or break connections between vehicle batteries if the ignition is switched on or

the engine is running. Never use a vehicle battery that does not correspond with the

vehicle's specifications. The vehicle's electrical system or electronic components could be

damaged, which could lead to electrical faults, for example in the start/stop system.

•

Never connect equipment that provides electricity, such as solar panels or a battery

charger, to the 12-volt socket or to the cigarette lighter to charge the vehicle battery. This

can damage the vehicle electrical system.

Dispose of the vehicle battery as required by legislation. Batteries may contain toxic

substances such as sulphuric acid and lead.

Electrolyte can pollute the environment. Clean up any service fluid leakages and dispose of

them properly.

Vehicle care and maintenance

Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ Washing the vehicle

⇒ Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner

⇒ Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors

⇒ Cleaning and changing windscreen wiper blades

⇒ Waxing and polishing the vehicle

⇒ Cleaning and caring for chrome and aluminium trim parts

⇒ Cleaning wheels

⇒ Care of rubber seals

⇒ De-icing the door lock cylinders

⇒ Underseal

⇒ Cleaning the engine compartment

Regular and expert care helps to maintain the value of the vehicle. Proper maintenance may also

be one of the requirements for the approval of warranty claims in the event of corrosion or paint

defects.

Suitable care products are available from Volkswagen dealers.

Additional information and warnings:

•

Preparation for working in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine

compartment

•

Cleaning and caring for the interior ⇒ Cleaning and caring for the interior

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs

and renewal of parts

Cleaning and maintenance -> Vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Up 4 Door First Generation (2011-2019)

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