User's Manual

Checking and topping up fluids 241
Controls Safety Driving tips General maintenance Self-help Technical data
• Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of
time, as the intense ultraviolet radiation can affect the battery
housing.
• If the car is left standing for long periods, protect the battery
from extreme cold temperature so that it does not “freeze up” and
become damaged.
Charging the battery
Terminals for charging the battery are fitted in the engine
compartment.
– Note the warnings ⇒ in “Important safety warnings
for handling a car battery” on page 240 and ⇒ .
– Switch off all electrical equipment. Remove the ignition
key.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 230.
– Open the red cap on the positive terminal ⇒ fig. 229.
– Follow the correct procedure for connecting the charger
cables to the jump-start terminals (terminal with red cap
= “positive”, terminal with hexagon = “negative”).
– Now connect the battery charger to the mains and switch
on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger
and disconnect the mains cable.
– Now disconnect the charger cables.
– Refit the red cap onto the positive terminal.
– Close the bonnet ⇒ page 232.
When it is discharged the battery can freeze at temperatures
around 0°C. A frozen battery must be thawed before charging ⇒ .
However, it is advisable to replace the battery if it has frozen,
because the ice can crack the battery casing and allow the battery
acid to escape.
Charging the battery
Important: Before you charge the battery make sure you read the
manufacturer's instructions for using the battery charger.
When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery
charger) the battery does not have to be disconnected. The battery
must not be opened while you are charging it.
Fast-charging the battery
For technical reasons it is not permissible to fast-charge the battery
using charging devices with an output voltage higher than 14.8 V.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen battery – it could explode.
Note
Use only the terminals in the engine compartment to charge the
battery.
Fig. 229 Engine
compartment: Termi-
nals for jump leads and
battery charger
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 241 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10