Severely Discharged Batteries

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING:

Risk of injury! Follow all Warnings and Safety Precautions. Refer to WARNINGS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .

For a battery to be indicated as "severely discharged", the resting voltage must be less than 11.6 V.

WARNING:

Batteries that have a light yellow visual indicator do not have to be tested or charged. Do not give a jump start.

There is a risk of explosion during testing, charging or jump starting.

These batteries must be replaced.

CAUTION:

Severely discharged batteries freeze earlier.
Batteries that have been frozen must no longer be used.

NOTE:

Severely discharged batteries in vehicles must be replaced prior to delivery. Pre-existing damage cannot be ruled out.

Batteries which have not been used in driving operation for a long time, for example vehicles in storage, discharge themselves.

For severely discharged batteries, the electrolyte consists almost completely of water, because the acid portion has been greatly reduced.

Severely discharged batteries become sulfated, meaning all the battery plate surfaces become hardened.

The sulfating process may be largely reversed if a severely discharged battery is recharged immediately.

If the battery is not recharged, the plates will continue to harden, and the ability to accept a charge will decrease. This results in reduction of battery performance.

-- Check the battery resting voltage. Refer to BATTERY CHARGE .