Low-Maintenance Battery A, Checking
Battery, Checking
CAUTION!
Risk of injury. Observe warning notes and safety precautions, refer to => [ Warnings and Safety Precautions ] Battery A!
CAUTION!
In order to prevent damage to the Battery (A) or vehicle, observe battery type descriptions and notes, refer to => [ Battery Types ] Battery Types.
Perform battery checks in the following sequence:
- Visual check, refer to => [ Inspecting ]. Inspecting
- Battery (A) with Visual Indicator, Checking, refer to=> [ Battery With Visual Indicator, Checking ] Battery With Visual Indicator, Checking and Maintenance-Free Battery (A), Checking, refer to => [ Low-Maintenance Battery A, Checking ].
- Battery (A) no load voltage, testing, refer to => [ Battery Resting Voltage, Checking ]. Battery Resting Voltage, Checking
- Battery load test with (VAS 5097 A).
Low-Maintenance Battery A, Checking
CAUTION!
Risk of injury. Observe warning notes and safety precautions, refer to => [ Warnings and Safety Precautions ] Battery A!
This Battery (A) is "low maintenance ", which means the electrolyte level must be checked and topped off with distilled water, if necessary.
Electrolyte Level, Checking
Check Electrolyte Level On Battery Case:
- Check the electrolyte level using the - MIN/MAX - markings on the battery case.
The electrolyte level is OK when it is at the - MAX - marking.
If the electrolyte level is below the - MAX - marking:
- Top off with distilled water.
Checking Electrolyte Level In The Cells:
- Turn off the ignition and all electrical components.
- If equipped, pull the protective foil off from over the cell caps.
• The Warning label must remain on the Battery (A).
- Remove cell caps.
- Check electrolyte level in battery cells.
Electrolyte level must align with the internal electrolyte level indicator (lip) - 1 -.
• The level indicator lip equates to the external "maximum" marking on the battery case.
If Electrolyte Level Is OK:
- Check cell caps and O-ring seals for damage. Damaged parts must be replaced.
- Close cells with cell caps.
If Electrolyte Level Is Below Indicator Lip:
- Top off with distilled water.
Topping Off with Distilled Water
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Battery Fill Bottle (VAS 5045)
CAUTION!
• The battery will be damaged if it is topped off with non-distilled water or battery electrolyte Battery (A). Top up with distilled water only.
• The Battery (A) can be damaged by overfilling the cells. To top up, use the Battery Fill Bottle (VAS 5045 ) exclusively. The construction of the filler nozzle prevents the cell from being overfilled.
- Check the Battery (A) electrolyte level.
- Turn off the ignition and all electrical components.
- If equipped, pull the protective foil off from over the cell caps.
• The Warning label must remain on the Battery (A).
- Remove cell caps.
- Add distilled water using (VAS 5045). Once the maximum fill level has been reached, the flow stops automatically.
- Check cell caps and O-ring seals for damage. Damaged parts must be replaced.
- Close cells with cell caps.
- Check Battery (A) no load voltage. Refer to => [ Battery Resting Voltage, Checking ]. Battery Resting Voltage, Checking
- Test battery.
Electrolyte Specific Gravity, Checking
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Commercially Available Electrolyte Hydrometer
- Check the Battery (A) electrolyte level.
- Turn off the ignition and all electrical components.
- If equipped, pull the protective foil off from over the cell caps.
• The Warning label must remain on the Battery (A).
- Remove cell caps.
- Extract enough electrolyte out of one cell with the hydrometer, until the floater floats freely.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte is determined by how deep the floater sets in the electrolyte. The value can be read from the scale on the floater.
• If testing the specific gravity of electrolyte immediately after topping up with distilled water, the measured values will be incorrect. Test the specific gravity of the electrolyte after the Battery (A) has been charged.
- Check cell caps and O-ring seals for damage. Damaged parts must be replaced.
- Close cells with cell caps.