Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual: Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery

Volkswagen Polo Owners Manual / In the engine compartment / Vehicle battery / Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery

Fig. 141 In the engine compartment: removing the vehicle battery cover

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.

In vehicles with the vehicle battery in the spare wheel well, it is not possible to check the electrolyte level without first removing vehicle parts. Seek expert assistance.

Preparations for vehicles with the battery in the engine compartment

Preparing the vehicle for working in the engine compartment .

Open the bonnet .

Pushing the cover aside

Depending on the engine fitted to the vehicle, the vehicle battery cover may have a different design:

Push the tabs (thin arrows) away from the vehicle battery using a screwdriver if necessary, and push the cover to the side in the direction of the arrow (thick 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 (magnification).

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

Any work on the vehicle battery can cause serious chemical burns, explosions and electric shocks.

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, ensure that your hands, arms and face in particular are protected 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 splashed onto your skin or into your eye, 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. Go ...

Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the vehicle battery

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warningsCharging the battery The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop, as the technology used in factory-fitted ...

Other materials:

Wear Spots
A wear spot is a flat spot on the tread of the tires that can be caused by extreme braking maneuvers on subsurface such as asphalt. At the same time a tire during the braking maneuver is rubbed at selective points which ...

Locking and unlocking the vehicle from the outside
Fig. 23 Buttons on the vehicle key Fig. 24 Mechanical vehicle key First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings Function Buttons to be used in the vehicle key Action to be followed with key in the lock cylinder or Unlockin ...

Washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warningsFollow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when cleaning your vehicle using a high-pressure cleaner. This applies in particular to the pressure and the spraying distance . Maintain sufficient distance to soft m ...