Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual:  Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

⇒ Warning light 

⇒ Checking the vehicle battery electrolyte level 

⇒ Charging, replacing, disconnecting and connecting the 12 Volt vehicle battery 

The standard 12 Volt vehicle battery is part of the vehicle electrical system.

Never do any work on the vehicle electrical system unless you

• know exactly how to carry out the job,

• have the correct technical information and the proper tools, and

• are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒  !

If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

Location of the vehicle battery

The vehicle battery is located in the engine compartment.

Explanation of the warnings on the vehicle battery

Symbol	Meaning
	Always wear eye protection!
	Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection!
	Fire, sparks, open light and smoking are prohibited!
	When a battery is charged, it produces hydrogen gas which is highly explosive!
	Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries!

More information:

• ⇒BookletWarranty and Maintenance,

• Preparations for working in the engine compartment ⇒ Preparations for working in the engine compartment 

• Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications ⇒ Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications 

Warning

Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.

• Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical consumers and disconnect the negative (–) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.

• When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.

• Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.

• Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with your eyes, skin, or clothing.

• Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.

• If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid, get medical attention immediately.

• When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect the negative cable (–) first and then the positive cable (+).

• Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries. Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (–). Never reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause a fire.

• A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.

• Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.

• Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).

• If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.

• Always make sure that the vent line is securely attached to a vehicle battery that is located in the luggage compartment.

Warning

California Proposition 65 Warning

• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash your hands after handling.

Note

• Never disconnect a vehicle battery or connect 2 vehicle batteries to each other when the ignition is switched on or the engine is running. Doing this may damage the electrical system or electronic components.

• Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.

• If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.