Battery check and care

Note: See also materials Chapters 5. The battery is located on the left side of the engine compartment (6 in Section 1 illustration).

Attention: When working with a battery, certain safety precautions must be taken. Highly flammable hydrogen is always present in battery banks, so do not allow open flames near the battery. Battery electrolyte is a solution of sulfuric acid, which can cause serious injury if splashed into the eyes or onto exposed areas of the body. In addition, the acid corrodes clothes and paints. When disconnecting the battery, always disconnect the negative cable first and connect it last!

1. Battery care is an important procedure that requires the proper tool. Before starting a maintenance procedure, always turn off the engine and disconnect all electrical appliances first, and then disconnect the negative cable from the battery.

2. The cars in question can be equipped with various batteries: serviced or unattended, as well as with or without an indicator of charge and electrolyte level. On maintenance-free batteries, it is only supposed to check the electrolyte level, and its level adjustment is not provided.

3. To access the terminals and the battery indicator, you need to remove its plastic cover by pressing the latch in front (2 to resist. illustrations) and pulling the cover up. If the battery is closed with a soft casing, just pry off its cover from the side of the wing (1) and fold its top and aside, after which the casing can be pulled up from the battery.




4. Check the electrolyte level in each of the battery cells - it should be between the marks "MIN" And "MAX" on the battery case (see illustration 17.4a). If the marks are not visible, unscrew the plug on the battery being serviced and look inside - the electrolyte level should reach the plastic mark (1 in Figure 17.4b).

Note: On adsorption batteries "AGM" electrolyte level cannot be checked.

5. If there is an indicator on the battery (round "peephole" between terminals), the electrolyte level and/or charge can be checked by its color. There are two types of indicators: 2-color and 3-color. A factory-installed battery with a 2-color indicator has a symbol starting with "5K0", and with a 3-color indicator, a designation starting with "1J0", "3B0" or "7N0". The spare battery designation always starts with "000", but ends either in "D*" (for 2-color indicator) or "A*" (for 32-color indicator), where it can mean any character.

6. For the 2-color indicator, black indicates a normal electrolyte level, while a pale yellow or discolored indicator indicates a low electrolyte level (battery should be replaced). For 3-color indicator, green indicates normal charge, black indicates low charge (less than 65%), and a discolored or pale yellow indicator indicates a low electrolyte level.

7. If a serviceable battery is used, if necessary, bring the electrolyte level to the required value for each section separately by adding distilled water through the plugged holes.

Note: Overfilling the jars can cause electrolyte to overflow during boost charging, causing corrosion and damage to components close to the battery.

8. If the positive terminal and battery cable tie are equipped with a rubber protector, make sure it is not torn or damaged. It must completely cover the terminal.

9. Periodically inspect the battery for damage such as cracks in the case.


10. Check tightening torque (6 Nm) clamping nuts of clamps for fastening wires to battery terminals. Check each of the wires along the entire length for cracks, as well as frayed insulation and conductive core. When connecting the wiring to the battery, put the clamps on the terminals only by hand, do not use a tool.

11. If there is evidence of corrosion, usually a loose white coating, disconnect the wires from the terminals, clean them with a wire brush and reconnect.

12. Make sure the battery retainer fastener is securely tightened. If the battery was removed from the pallet, make sure that no foreign objects lie on it during installation. Do not tighten the clamp bolt too tight (see specs).

13. Disconnecting the battery resets the trip computer and the engine may exhibit unusual dynamic performance over several kilometers (engine parameters are being reconfigured). You may also need to perform the following procedures (see chapter "Controls and methods of operation"): enter the security code of the audio system, initialize the power windows and set the time on the clock. Various control lamps may also be lit, which, after covering a short distance at a speed of 15-20 km / h, should go out. If the battery has been disconnected for a long time, the service interval may not be calculated or displayed correctly.

14. Further information about the battery and about starting the engine from the auxiliary power source can be found respectively in Chapter 5 and during Administered.