battery capacity SKODA RAPID 2013 1.G Owner's Manual

Checking the battery electrolyte levelFig. 140
Vehicle battery: Electrolyte level
indicator
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 171.
On vehicles with a vehicle battery fitted with a colour indicator, the so-called
magic eye » Fig. 140, the electrolyte level can be determined by looking at the
change in colour.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. For this reason carefully
knock on the indicator before carrying out the check.
› Black colour – electrolyte level is correct.
› Colourless or light yellow colour – electrolyte level too low, the battery must be
replaced.
Vehicles with a START-STOP system are fitted with a battery control unit for checking the energy level for the recurring engine start.
We recommend that you have the acid level checked regularly by a specialist ga-
rage, especially in the following cases.
› High external temperatures.
› Longer day trips.
› After each charge.
Winter time
The vehicle battery only has a proportion of the starting power in lower tempera-
tures. A discharged vehicle battery may already freeze at temperatures just be-
low 0 °C .
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked and, if necessary, re-
charged by a specialist garage before the start of the winter.
CAUTIONFor technical reasons, on vehicles with the description “AGM”, the electrolyte lev- el cannot be checked.
Note
The battery acid level is also checked regularly by a specialist garage as part of
the inspection service.
Charging
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 171.
A properly charged vehicle battery is essential for reliably starting the engine.
›
Switch off the ignition and all of the electrical components.
›
Only when performing a “quick-charge”, disconnect both battery cables (first
“negative”, then “positive”).
›
Attach the terminal clamps of the charger to the battery terminals (red = “posi- tive”, black = “negative”).
›
Plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket and switch on the
device.
›
After charging has been successful: Switch off the charger and remove themains cable from the power socket.
›
Only then disconnect the charger's terminal clamps.
›
Reconnect the cables to the battery (first “positive”, then “negative”).
It is not necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge the ve-
hicle battery using low amperages (for example from a mini-charger). Refer to the
instructions of the charger manufacturer .
A charging current of 0.1 multiple of the total vehicle battery capacity (or lower) must be used until full charging is achieved.
It is necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery with high
amperages, known as “ rapid charging”.
The vent plugs of the vehicle battery should not be opened for charging. 
173Inspecting and replenishing

WARNING“Quick-charging” the vehicle battery is dangerous and requires a special
charger and specialist knowledge.
CAUTION
On vehicles with the START/STOP system, the pole terminal of the charger must
not be connected directly to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, but only
to the engine earth » page 191, Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP
system .
Note
We therefore recommend that vehicle batteries be rapid charged by a specialist
garage.
Replacing
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 171.
When replacing a battery, the new vehicle battery must have the same capacity,
voltage, amperage and be the same size. Suitable vehicle battery types can be
purchased from a specialist garage.
We recommend having the battery replaced by a specialist garage, where the
new vehicle battery will be installed properly and the original battery will be dis-
posed of in accordance with national regulations.

Disconnecting and reconnecting
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 171.
On disconnecting and reconnecting the vehicle battery, the following functions
are initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free:
OperationOperating measureEnter the radio/navigation system code num-
ber» User manual of the radio
or » user manual of the naviga-
tion systemSetting the clock» page 13Data in the multifunction display are deleted.» page 25
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a specialist garage in order to en-
sure full functionality of all electrical systems.
Automatic load deactivation
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 171.
The vehicle voltage control unit automatically prevents the battery from discharg-
ing when the battery is put under high levels of strain. This manifests itself by the
following.
› The idling speed is raised to allow the generator to deliver more electricity to
the electrical system.
› Where necessary, large convenience consumers such as seat heaters and rear
window heaters have their power limited or are shut off completely in the event
of an emergency.
CAUTION
■ Despite such intervention by the vehicle electric system management, the vehi-
cle battery may be drained. For example, when the ignition is switched on a long
time with the engine turned off or the side or parking lights are turned on during longer parking.■
Consumers that are supplied via a 12-V power socket can cause the vehicle bat-
tery to discharge when the ignition is switched off.
Note
Driving comfort is not impaired by consumers being deactivated. The driver is of-
ten not aware of it having taken place.
174General Maintenance

WARNING (Continued)■The non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps must never touch each other
– there is a risk of short circuit.■
The jump-start cable connected to the positive terminal of the battery must
not come into contact with electrically conducting parts of the vehicle – there
is a risk of short circuit.
■
Do not clamp the jump-start cable to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. There is the risk of detonating gas seeping out the battery
being ignited by the strong spark which results from the engine being started.
■
Route the jump-start cables so that they cannot be caught by any rotating
parts in the engine compartment.
■
Do not bend over the battery – there is a risk of caustic burns.
■
The vent screws of the battery cells must be tightened firmly.
■
Keep any sources of ignition (naked flame, lit cigarettes, etc.) away from the
battery – there is a risk of explosion.
■
Never jump-start vehicle batteries with insufficient acid levels – risk of ex-
plosion and chemical burns.
CAUTION
■ There must not be any contact between the two vehicles otherwise current
may flow as soon as the negative terminals are connected.■
The discharged battery must be properly connected to the system of the vehi-
cle.
■
We recommend you buy jump-start cables from a car battery specialist.

Jump-starting using the battery from another vehicle
Fig. 155
Jump-starting: A – flat battery, B
– battery providing current
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings on page 189.
The battery of another vehicle can be used to jump-start your vehicle if the en-
gine will not start because the battery is flat. Jump-start cables are required for
this purpose.
The jump-start cables must be attached in the following sequence.
›
Attach clamp
1
to the positive terminal of the discharged battery
A
» Fig. 155 .
›
Attach clamp
2
to the positive terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach clamp
3
to the negative terminal of the battery supplying power
B
.
›
Attach the clamp
4
to a solid metal component firmly connected to the engine
block or to the engine block itself.
Starting engine
›
Start the engine on the vehicle providing the power and allow it to idle.
›
Start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
›
If the engine does not start, halt the attempt to start the engine after 10 sec- onds and wait for 30 seconds before repeating the process.
›
Disconnect the cables in exactly the reverse order to the one described above.
Both batteries must have a rated voltage of 12 V. The capacity (Ah) of the battery
supplying the power must not be significantly less than the capacity of the dis-
charged battery in your vehicle.
Jump-start cables
Only use jump-start cables which have an adequately large cross-section and in-
sulated terminal clamps. Observe the instructions of the jumper lead manufactur-
er.
Positive cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is red.
Negative cable – colour coding in the majority of cases is black.

190Do-it-yourself

Diesel particle filter19
Information messages19
Digital clock13
Dipstick167
Disconnecting and reconnecting vehicle battery
174
Display11
Compass points24
Coolant temperature11
Correct gear changes24
Fuel supply12
Service intervals28
Display of the second speed13
Distance driven12
Door Child safety lock
35
Closing35
Indicator light for an open door15
Opening35
Door locking Emergency
194
Doors Emergency locking
194
Double-sided floor covering70
Driving Abroad
110
Driving through water on streets109
Emissions207
Fuel consumption207
Maximum speed209
Driving economically Economical gear changing
106
Driving through water109
E
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 105
Economical driving Ballast
107
Driving at full throttle106
Idling106
Looking ahead106
Regular maintenance107
Saving energy108
Short distances107
Tyre inflation pressure107
EDL112
Electrical power windows Button in the driver's door
38, 39
Button in the rear door39
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)112
Electronic immobiliser98
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)111
Emergency Changing a wheel
184
Door locking194
Hazard warning light system44
jump-starting190
Jump-starting189
Selector lever-unlocking195
Towing the using the tow hitch192
Towing the vehicle191
Tyre repair187
Unlocking the tailgate194
Emergency equipment Fire extinguisher
183
First aid kit182
Jack183
Vehicle tool kit183
Warning triangle182
Emissions207
Engine Running in
104
Switching off the engine99
Engine compartment162
Brake fluid170
Coolant169
Overview165
Vehicle battery171
Engine oil166
Capacity167
Changing168
Checking167
Indicator light16
Information messages16
Replenishing168
Specifications167
Environment105
Environmental compatibility108
Environmentally friendly driving105
EPC Indicator light
19
ESC Function
111
Warning light17
Exhaust inspection system Indicator light
18
F
Fastening elements
65
Films155
Fire extinguisher183
First aid kit182
Flashing43
Flexible storage compartment69
Fog lights43
Indicator light21
Fog lights with CORNER function43
Footmats101
see footmats101
Force limit Power windows
40
Front airbag137
Fuel160
Diesel162
Fuel gauge12
refer to Fuel160
Refuelling160
Unleaded petrol161
Fuel consumption105
214Index