Get Checking and filling -> 12 V vehicle battery Guide for Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

3. If the brake ﬂuid level is too low, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

12 V vehicle battery

Introduction

The 12-volt vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system and serves to supply energy to the vehicle. During maintenance procedures, the 12 V vehicle

battery is checked and replaced if necessary.

You may only perform procedures on the electrical system yourself if you are familiar with the necessary activities and the general safety precautions, and if the

correct operating equipment and ﬂuids and suitable tools are available. Work performed incorrectly can result in serious injuries ⇒

. Have all work performed by

suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Information about warning and indicator lights can be found in the troubleshooting section at the end of the chapter ⇒ Troubleshooting.

Battery switch-off in an accident with triggering of the airbag

In vehicles with a 12 V vehicle battery in their vehicle interior or luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the 12 V vehicle battery is pyrotechnically

disconnected in an accident with airbag deployment. This prevents a short circuit. For more information on the installation location of the vehicle battery, refer to

section → page , Checking the 12 V vehicle battery acid level .

Detailed warnings for the 12 V vehicle battery

Always wear eye protection.

are forbidden. A highly explosive mixture of gases forms when charging the 12 V vehicle battery.

V vehicle battery. Always heed the Owner's Manual.

Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.

Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking

Always keep children away from battery acid and the 12

WARNING

Performing work on the 12 V vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious injuries, ﬁres, or electric shocks. This could result in serious injuries.

Always read and follow the warning information on the 12 V vehicle battery.

Before performing any work on the 12 V vehicle battery, switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment and disconnect the 12 V battery negative

cable.

Always keep children away from battery electrolyte and the 12 V vehicle battery.

When handling 12 V vehicle batteries, always protect your hands, arms, and face from spraying battery acid.

Always wear eye protection and safety gloves.

Never short circuit the battery terminals.

WARNING

When work is carried out on the 12 V vehicle battery, a highly explosive, ﬂammable gas mixture builds up. Sparks could form and ignite the ﬂammable gas that

is released by the 12 V vehicle battery. This can result in serious injury or death.

Always keep ﬁres, sparks, open ﬂames, and lit cigarettes far away from the 12 V vehicle battery.

Avoid creating sparks when working with wires and electrical equipment or when discharging static electricity.

WARNING

A drained 12 V vehicle battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C (+32 °F). Acid may leak out of 12 V vehicle batteries that have frozen and thawed again

and cause damage to the vehicle in the long run.

Never charge a frozen or thawed 12 V vehicle battery.

Always replace the 12 V vehicle battery if it freezes.

WARNING

California Proposition 65 Warning.

This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead components, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to https://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

NOTICE

UV rays can damage the battery housing.

Do not expose the 12 V vehicle battery to direct sunlight for a long period of time.

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NOTICE

The 12 V vehicle battery could freeze and be destroyed.

Protect the 12 V vehicle battery against freezing temperatures if the vehicle is parked for long periods of time.

After starting the engine when the 12-volt vehicle battery is severely drained or when it has been replaced or jump-started, the system settings (time, date,

personal convenience settings, and programming) and user profiles may be changed or erased. Check and correct the settings after the 12 V vehicle battery is

sufficiently recharged.

Checking the 12 V vehicle battery acid level

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

Check the acid level of the 12 V vehicle battery regularly if mileage is high, in countries with warm climates, or if the 12 V vehicle battery is old. Otherwise, the 12 V

vehicle battery is maintenance-free.

12 V vehicle battery location

The 12 V vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.

Preparations

1. Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine compartment.

2. Wear suitable eye protection and safety gloves.

3. Open the hood.

Checking the battery acid level

WARNING

Battery acid is corrosive. Contact with battery acid, especially swallowing battery acid, can result in serious burns.

Never open a 12 V vehicle battery.

Never tilt the 12 V vehicle battery. Acid can leak out of the vent openings.

Protect your skin, face, and particularly your eyes when working with the 12 V vehicle battery.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke when working on the 12 V vehicle battery.

Wash your skin with soap and water after working on the 12 V vehicle battery.

If acid comes into contact with your skin or hair, remove all soiled or wet clothing and wash your skin and hair with water. Consult a doctor.

If acid comes into contact with your eyes, rinse the affected area carefully with water for several minutes. Then consult a doctor immediately.

If you swallow battery acid, immediately drink plenty of water and swallow activated charcoal. Consult a doctor immediately.

If you have inhaled acid vapors, leave the hazard area and breathe in fresh air. Consult a doctor immediately.

WARNING

When work is carried out on the 12 V vehicle battery, a highly explosive, ﬂammable gas mixture builds up. Sparks could form and ignite the ﬂammable gas that

is released by the 12 V vehicle battery. This can result in serious injury or death.

Always keep ﬁres, sparks, open ﬂames, and lit cigarettes far away from the 12 V vehicle battery.

Avoid creating sparks when working with wires and electrical equipment or when discharging static electricity.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, an additional bracket must be removed to see the viewing window. An additional tool that is not available in the vehicle tool ki

is required to do this. Always have the acid level of the 12 V vehicle battery checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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Fig. 209 On the top of the 12 V vehicle battery: Window (general example).

Make sure there is enough lighting to clearly see the color indicator in the circular window on the top of the 12 V vehicle battery ﬁg. 209.

The color indicator in the circular window changes depending on the acid level in the 12 V vehicle battery.

Light yellow or colorless The 12 V vehicle battery acid level is too low. Have the 12 V vehicle battery replaced by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Black

The 12 V vehicle battery acid level is OK.

The acid level of 12 V vehicle batteries labeled AGM cannot be checked for technical reasons. Suitably qualiﬁed professionals can inspect the battery. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Charging, replacing, disconnecting, or connecting the 12 V vehicle battery

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

If you suspect that the 12 V vehicle battery is damaged or malfunctioning, see suitably qualiﬁed professionals to have the 12 V vehicle battery checked. Volkswagen

recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Charging the 12 V vehicle battery

The 12 V vehicle battery should be charged by suitably qualiﬁed professionals because the 12 V vehicle battery that is installed at the factory requires a charging

process where the voltage is limited ⇒

. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Replacing the 12 V vehicle battery

The 12 V vehicle battery is designed to ﬁt the location where it is installed and is equipped with safety features. If a 12 V vehicle battery needs to be replaced, have

the replacement part ﬁtted by qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Check with qualiﬁed professionals to ﬁnd out the component information regarding size and the required maintenance, performance, and safety features.

They must possess the necessary technical documentation and equipment. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. The vent opening on the 12 V vehicle battery must always be located on the negative terminal side. The vent opening on the positive

terminal side must always be sealed ⇒

Only use a maintenance-free 12 V vehicle battery that conforms to the TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73 standards. These standards must be from October 2014 or later.

Always have the 12 V vehicle battery replaced by qualiﬁed professionals because the vehicle electronics must be adapted as part of the replacement. Only qualiﬁed

professionals have the necessary equipment to perform the adaptation and have access to the correct replacement batteries.

Disconnecting the 12 V vehicle battery

If the 12 V vehicle battery must be disconnected from the vehicle electrical system, note the following:

1. Switch off all electrical consumers.

2. Unlock the vehicle before disconnecting the battery. Otherwise, the anti-theft alarm system will be triggered.

3. Disconnect the negative cable ﬁrst, and then the positive cable ⇒

Connecting the 12 V vehicle battery

If the 12 V vehicle battery must be connected to the vehicle electrical system, note the following:

1. Switch off all electrical consumers.

2. Connect the positive cable ﬁrst, and then the negative cable ⇒

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Various indicator lights may turn on after connecting the 12 V vehicle battery and switching the ignition on. They will turn off after driving a short distance at a speed

of approx. 15 to 20 km/h (approx. 10 to 12 mph). If the indicator lights light up and remain on, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility and have the vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

If the 12 V vehicle battery was disconnected for a long period of time, the next scheduled maintenance may not display correctly or it may not be calculated correctl

⇒ Service interval display. Follow the maximum permissible maintenance interval ⇒ Maintenance.

Vehicles with a starter button: If the ignition cannot be switched on after connecting the 12 V vehicle battery, carry out the following activities:

1. Lock and unlock the vehicle from the outside.

2. Try to switch the ignition on again.

3. If the ignition will not switch on, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Automatic equipment deactivation

If the ignition is switched on for a very long time when the engine is off or the parking light is switched on when parking for a very long time, the intelligent power

management cannot always prevent the 12 V vehicle battery from being drained.

If the 12 V vehicle battery is under a heavy load, the intelligent power management will automatically begin certain measures to prevent the 12 V vehicle battery

from draining.

The idle speed will be increased so that the alternator delivers more power.

If necessary, equipment that uses a lot of power will have its performance limited or will be switched off.

The power supply to the 12 V socket will be interrupted temporarily when the engine is started.

12 V Vehicle Battery Draining

If the battery is drained, it may not be possible to start the engine. The 12 V vehicle battery will be drained in the following situations:

If the vehicle is parked for long periods of time without running the engine, especially if the ignition is on.

If electrical equipment is used when the ignition is switched off.

WARNING

Use of a 12 V vehicle battery that does not have identical speciﬁcations and dimensions to the 12 V vehicle battery that was installed at the factory may cause

short circuits or ﬁre. This could result in serious or fatal injuries.

Always use a maintenance-free and leak-proof 12 V vehicle battery that has the same characteristics, speciﬁcations, and dimensions as the 12 V vehicle

battery that was installed at the factory.

WARNING

Fitting 12 V vehicle batteries incorrectly may cause short circuits or ﬁre. This could result in serious or fatal injuries.

Always attach the 12 V vehicle battery to the attachment points provided in the vehicle.

Replace all covers that are required for the vehicle back on the battery.

WARNING

A highly explosive mixture of hydrogen gas can form when charging the 12 V vehicle battery. Sparks or naked ﬂames could ignite the gas mixture. This could

cause serious burns.

Only charge 12 V vehicle batteries in well-ventilated areas.

Keep sparks and naked ﬂames away from the 12 V vehicle battery.

WARNING

A drained 12 V vehicle battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C (+32 °F). Acid may leak out of 12 V vehicle batteries that have frozen and thawed again

and cause damage to the vehicle in the long run.

Never charge a frozen or thawed 12 V vehicle battery.

Always replace the 12 V vehicle battery if it freezes.

WARNING

If the degassing tube is not attached to the 12 V vehicle battery correctly, the highly explosive gas mixture that builds up when the vehicle is running may enter

the vehicle interior. The ﬂammable gas could ignite and cause serious injuries or death.

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For vehicles with the 12 V vehicle battery in the vehicle interior or luggage compartment, ensure that the degassing hose is connected to the 12 V vehicle

battery correctly. The degassing hose must always be connected to the negative terminal side of the 12-volt vehicle battery.

Always ensure that the opening on the positive terminal side of the 12 V vehicle battery is capped.

CAUTION

Cables that are connected incorrectly can cause a short circuit. This could damage the on-board electronics and result in serious injuries.

Connect the positive cable ﬁrst and then the negative cable.

NOTICE

If the 12 V vehicle battery is connected or disconnected when the ignition is switched on or the engine is running, this could damage the electrical system or

electronic components, resulting in electrical malfunctions.

Never connect or disconnect the 12 V vehicle battery when the ignition is on or the engine is running.

NOTICE

If accessories that provide power for charging the 12 V vehicle battery are connected to the 12 V socket, this could damage the electrical system or electronic

components, resulting in electrical malfunctions.

Never connect accessories that provide power, such as solar panels or battery chargers, to the 12 V socket in order to charge the 12 V vehicle battery.

12 V vehicle batteries can contain toxic substances such as sulfuric acid and lead. Dispose of 12 V vehicle batteries correctly.

Battery acid can pollute the environment. Collect spilled battery acid and dispose of it correctly.

Troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

12-volt power supply

The red warning light turns on. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Do not continue driving! Possible failure of the electrical system.

1. Stop the vehicle immediately and park it safely.

2. Turn off electrical equipment that is not needed.

3. Switch the ignition off.

4. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

If the red warning light comes on, the start-stop system is switched off. The start-stop system will only be automatically switched on again after the engine is

restarted.

12-volt power supply

The yellow indicator light turns on. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Messages about the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery.

1. Let the engine run so that the 12 V vehicle battery can be recharged.

2. If the message about the battery charge level of the 12 V vehicle battery does not turn off after a few minutes despite the measures having been taken, then

contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Messages about the 12 V power supply.

1. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

If the yellow indicator light lights up, the start-stop system will not be able to start the engine. If the yellow indicator light has turned off, the 12 V vehicle battery has

sufﬁcient battery charge level to automatically restart the engine.

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Checking and filling -> 12 V vehicle battery for Your Volkswagen Tiguan 4 Door 2023

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