Safety Precautions
Battery
CAUTION!
Danger of injury!
• Prior to handling or servicing batteries, read, understand and observe the Warnings and Safety Measures => [ Lead-Acid Battery Safety Precautions ] !
CAUTION!
Risk of damage to battery or vehicle.
• Vehicles with non-maintenance-free batteries: Observe notes => [ Battery, Visual Inspection ] Lead-Acid Battery Without Visual Indicator.
• Vehicles with maintenance-free batteries: Observe notes => [ Battery, Visual Inspection ] [1][2]Description and Operation.
The battery is one of the most important electrical components in the modern automobile. A battery that provides trouble-free service has a great influence on customer satisfaction. To ensure trouble-free service and optimum service life, batteries must be checked, serviced and maintained as per the instructions in this service information.
Apart from starting the engine, the battery has other tasks. It acts as a buffer and also supplies electrical energy to the complete vehicle electrical system. In addition, the cyclical and capacity demands on the battery have increased due to additional safety and convenience features (electrical consumers) being installed.
The automobile battery has undergone many technical changes and improvements, and development of new battery technologies continues.
A new generation of maintenance free batteries uses physically and constructively optimized, lead-calcium coated positive electrodes. Advantages include minimal electrolyte consumption and servicing requirements, as well as improved charge stability over a longer period of time. Simplified checking of these batteries is also achieved with the "Magic Eye" charge indicator.
=> [ Safety Precautions ]
=> [ Lead-Acid Battery Safety Precautions ]
Safety Precautions
Before beginning work, technicians must be acquainted with the possible risks when handling batteries.
CAUTION!
• Personnel instructed in protection, such as e. g. a trainee or apprentice, may only perform work on vehicle batteries under supervision of technical personnel such as e. g. a master automotive mechanic or a master automotive electrician.
• Acid has strong corrosive properties. If batteries are handled inappropriately, there is a risk that personal injury may result from exposure to harmful electrolyte influences. Therefore, suitable remedies for acid damage must be kept readily available. Suitable remedy is e.g. soap solution.
• If electrolyte drips out from the battery, skin can be acid-burned, and the vehicle may be affected by acid erosion and corrosion. It is a possibility that safety-related vehicle components can be damaged.
• When charging and when resting after charging, explosive gas is present. In extreme cases, if battery is handled inappropriately, the emitted gases may cause the battery to explode.
• Batteries with a colorless or light yellow "Magic Eye" charge indicator must be replaced. They may not be tested or charged and jump starting may not be used. There is a risk of explosion during testing, charging or jump starting.
• Generating sparks by sanding, welding, separating work and open flame, e.g. smoking in vicinity of the battery, is prohibited. Producing sparks through electrostatic discharge must also be avoided. Always touch the vehicle body before touching the battery.
• Only perform battery procedures in suitable and well-ventilated rooms.
Lead-Acid Battery Safety Precautions
Recognizing and preventing risks
Working with batteries can be hazardous. Danger can be avoided if the warnings on the battery, in the owner's manual and in the repair information are heeded.
Explanation of battery symbols
CAUTION!
1 - Keep open flames and sparks away and DO NOT smoke near batteries! Avoid sparks when working with cables and electrical units. Always reinstall battery positive (B+) or negative (-) terminal covers if removed during servicing.
• Avoid sparks when working with cables and electrical units.
• Always reinstall battery positive (B+) or negative (-) terminal covers if removed during servicing.
2 - Always wear eye protection when working with electrolyte!
• If electrolyte gets into eyes, flush with large quantities of water. Seek medical attention immediately!
3 - Keep children away from batteries!
4 - Dispose of batteries properly!
• Waste batteries must only be disposed of in appropriate waste disposal sites. Refer to local regulations pertaining to battery disposal.
5 - Never dispose of batteries in household waste!
6 - Danger of explosion!
• Batteries produce explosive gasses while being charged.
• Keep open flames and sparks away and DO NOT smoke near batteries.
• The battery charger MUST be turned off when connecting or disconnecting the cables at the battery.
• Battery cell caps must NOT be removed while charging.
• Ensure that battery is charged in a well ventilated area.
• Avoid short circuits. Always reinstall battery positive (B+) or negative (-) terminal covers if removed during servicing.
7 - Read and follow all instructions on battery, contained in Repair Information, Electrical Equipment, and in Owner's Manual!
8 - Battery acid can cause severe burns!
• When working with electrolyte always wear eye protection, rubber gloves and a suitable apron. If electrolyte is spilled on eyes, skin, clothing (or painted surfaces), flush at once with large quantities of water.
• Never tip a battery on edge. Electrolyte can spill from the ventilation openings.
CAUTION!
There is a risk of injury from the battery acid.
• Can cause severe injury to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
• Inhalation can damage the respiratory system.
• Swallowing is harmful to the digestive system.
• First Aid: Rinse eyes and immediately consult first aid station or inform doctor.
• Never tilt battery. Electrolyte may leak out of vents.
• Soak up spilled electrolyte with appropriate absorbent material and neutralize remaining electrolyte with commercial acid neutralizer (or water and baking soda). A soapy solution, for example, is a suitable remedy.
• Never allow electrolyte to come into contact with bare hands.
• Avoid contact with skin.
• Never touch mouth, nose or eyes with soiled hands.
• Immediately remove electrolyte-contaminated clothing and place in water.
• Do not eat, drink or store food in work areas.
• Wash thoroughly before breaks and on completion of work.
CAUTION!
Protect against injury by using protective eyewear and clothing.
• Wear safety goggles and an acid-resistant apron or alternatively electrolyte-proof overalls.
• Wear electrolyte-proof gloves.
CAUTION!
Risk of explosion due to the explosive gas that forms during battery charging.
• The gas resulting from charging and partially when resting after charging is explosive. In extreme cases, if battery is handled inappropriately, the emitted gases may cause the battery to explode.
• Smoking, open flame, fire and sparks (from sanding, welding or separating work) are prohibited when working near the battery.
• Avoid short circuits when working with electrical wires and devices. Do not place any tools on the battery.
• To prevent sparks from forming due to electrostatic discharge, always touch the vehicle body before touching the battery.
CAUTION!
Protect against explosion.
• On batteries with a "magic eye", the battery must not be tested or charged if the indicator has no color or is light yellow. Jump starting must not be used! There is a risk of explosion during testing, charging or jump starting. The battery must be replaced.
• Used batteries (lengthy period of use over 6 months) must be treated with an anti-static spray "Neostatic Antistatikum HB 155" (or equivalent) prior to handling.
• On batteries that are not maintenance-free, the sealing plugs must be securely installed when charging the battery.
• Charging of batteries removed from the vehicle is only permitted in vented cubicles with extraction system.
• After charging, battery must be left in charging area with extraction system for an appropriate length of time.
• Only perform battery procedures in suitable and well-ventilated rooms.
• Batteries are always to be transported in conductive metal containers.
• Electrostatically chargeable materials are not to be used for securing purposes.
CAUTION!
Risk of damage to vehicle.
• Safety-related vehicle components could be damaged by acid burns and corrosion due to escaping battery acid.
CAUTION!
Personal injury and environmental risk.
• Old batteries require special disposal. They contain poisonous lead (Pb) and sulfuric acid.
• Follow disposal requirements, only dispose of used batteries in suitable containers at an authorized collection site.