Battery General Information
To guarantee a long service life, the Battery -A- must be checked, serviced and maintained as described in this manual.
The Battery -A- supplies the power to start the engine. The Battery -A- also acts as a power reserve for the entire vehicle electrical system.
Note
Refer to Self Study Program.
Caution
In order to prevent damage to the Battery -A- or vehicle, observe the battery type information. Refer to → Chapter "Battery Types".
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and Safety Precautions. → Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions"
Battery Types
General Information
Caution
The following described Batteries -A- are maintenance-free Batteries -A-. Do not remove any of the labels on the battery and do not add distilled water. Perform only a visual inspection. Note the chapter on battery testing. Refer to → Chapter "Battery, Checking".
Battery -A- with Visual Indicator
Maintenance-free Battery -A- with fluid electrolyte (wet battery).
Caution
Do not remove any of the labels on the battery and do not add distilled water. Perform only a visual inspection. Note the chapter on battery testing. Refer to → Chapter "Battery, Checking".
WARNING
Do not check or charge a Battery -A- when the visual indicator has "no color or is bright yellow". Jump starting must not be used!
There is a risk of explosion during testing, charging or jump starting.
These Batteries -A- must be replaced.
This Battery -A- has a visual indicator. The colors in the visual indicator show the Battery -A- charge and electrolyte level.
Visual indicator color display, checking. Refer to → Chapter "Visual Indicator Color Display, Checking".
EFB-Battery
Maintenance-free Battery -A- with fluid electrolyte (wet battery).
Caution
Do not remove any of the labels on the battery and do not add distilled water. Perform only a visual inspection. Note the chapter on battery testing.
WARNING
Do not check or charge a Battery -A- when the visual indicator has "no color or is bright yellow". Jump starting must not be used!
There is a risk of explosion during testing, charging or jump starting.
These Batteries -A- must be replaced.
The Battery -A- is installed in certain Stop/Start vehicles due to special requirements. "EFB" is written on the battery cover to identify this battery.
"EFB" stands for "Enhanced Flooded Battery" (enhanced wet battery).
An EFB battery may only be replaced with another EFB battery.
This Battery -A- has a visual indicator. The colors in the visual indicator show the Battery -A- charge and electrolyte level.
Visual indicator color display, checking. Refer to → Chapter "Visual Indicator Color Display, Checking".
Note
"EFB" batteries are being used in certain Audi A1 and Audi A3 models from August 2011.
AGM-Battery
Maintenance-Free Battery -A- with Fixed Electrolyte (AGM battery).
Lead-acid battery, where the electrolyte is fixed in an absorbent glass mat (AGM). The Battery -A- is closed and equipped with breather valves.
"AGM" is the English abbreviation for Absorbent Glass Mat.
These Batteries -A- cannot have a visual indicator due to the fixed electrolyte. AGM is on the Battery -A- to identify it.
When replacing an AGM battery, another AGM battery must be installed.
Warnings and Safety Precautions
Dangers When Working with Batteries
Recognizing and Preventing Risks
Batteries -A- present risks. Read the warnings on the Battery -A- label, in the Owner's Manual and in ELSA to prevent these risks.
WARNING
WARNING
Pollution risk.
Battery Safety Label
Safety Label on the Battery -A-
1 - When working in the area of the Battery -A-, fire, sparks, open flame are prohibited. Avoid sparks when working with cables and electrical devices, and from electrostatic discharge. Avoid short circuits. For this reason, tools should not be rested on the Battery -A-.
2 - Wear protective eyewear when working on the Battery -A-.
3 - Always keep acid and Batteries -A- out of the reach of children.
4 - Disposal: old batteries require special disposal. They may only be disposed of at a suitable collection facility and only in consideration of legal regulations.
5 - Do not dispose of old batteries in household waste.
6 - When handling Batteries -A-, there is a risk of explosion. Battery -A- charging produces a highly explosive gas mixture.
7 - Always follow instructions on the Battery -A-, in the Parts Catalog and in the Owner's Manual.
8 - Danger of burns: battery acid is severely corrosive, therefore protective gloves and eyewear must be worn when working on the Battery -A-. The Battery -A- must not be tipped because acid may spill from the ventilation openings.
Working on the Airbag System
WARNING
When working on the airbag system (pyrotechnic components, Airbag Control Module -J234-, wiring), the Ground (GND) cable must be disconnected with the ignition switched on.
Exceptions: On vehicles with a battery in the passenger compartment, the ignition must be switched off.
Make sure in this case to keep oneself away from the airbag deployment and belt tensioner zones.
If the ignition is not switched on after reconnecting the battery (the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster do not illuminate), the ignition (key/button) may only be switched on while sitting in the driver's seat in the rearmost position.
Battery Post/Terminal
Caution
In order to prevent damage to the battery terminals and battery posts, observe the following:
Terminal clamp tightening specification. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery.