Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery
Fig. 197 Engine compartment: pushing up the vehicle battery sleeve
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings 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 ( ) 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 .
- Open the bonnet
.
Battery cover
To open, fold the sleeve away in the direction of the arrow .
To close, fold the cover against the direction of the arrow .
Checking the electrolyte level
- 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 on the top side of the vehicle battery will change according to the electrolyte level.
| Colour display | Action |
|---|---|
| Light yellow or without colour | The electrolyte level of the vehicle is too low. The vehicle battery should be checked and replaced by a qualified workshop if necessary. |
| Black | The electrolyte level of the vehicle battery is correct. |
WARNING
- 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 spilt in your eye or on your skin, rinse immediately for several minutes with cold water. Then consult a doctor immediately.
- If acid is swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
Warning lamp
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings
Lit up
Possible cause
Solution
Fault in the alternator.
...
Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery
First read and observe the introductory information
and safety warnings Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology
used in factory-fit ...
Other materials:
Nuts and bolts
Loosen and tighten bolts and securing nuts for covers and
housings diagonally.
Avoid canting particularly sensitive parts such as comtrol
motor with control unit. Loosen and tighten them diagonally in
stages.
...
Removing and installing drive shaft heat shield
Front-wheel drive:
Component
Specified
torque
Bolts -1-
25 Nm
Four-wheel drive:
...
Assembly overview - wheel bearing assembly, torsion beam axle
1 -
Dust cap
Renew after removing
Pressing off and driving in
→ Chapter
A proper seal can be achieved only by installing a new dust cap.
2 -
Bolt
Renew after remov ...
