Checking the electrolyte level
Caution! The electrolyte in the battery is an aggressive substance, as it contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow electrolyte to come into contact with skin, clothing or vehicle components!
The electrolyte level should be 5 mm above the battery separator plates. If the battery has electrolyte level marks, the level is determined by them. For topping up, it is recommended to use only distilled water, not acid.
Maintenance-free batteries
Since August 1981, all variants of the VW Kafer have been equipped with maintenance-free batteries. Under normal operating conditions, such batteries require almost no maintenance.
If you still need to add distilled water to the battery, unscrew the plugs with a screwdriver.
Note: To do this, use a suitable screwdriver to pierce the plastic shell at the notch provided for this purpose.
Checking the density of the electrolyte
The density of the electrolyte, along with the voltage, gives an accurate indication of the battery's state of charge. A battery hydrometer is used to check the density.
| Battery charge level | Electrolyte density, g/cm |
| Discharged | 1,12 |
| Half charged | 1,20 |
| Fully charged | 1,27 |
Voltage measurement
Battery voltage can be measured using a voltmeter (see photo) or a universal tester.
At a load current of about 110 A, the voltage should not be lower than 9.6 V. If during measurements (lasting from 5 to 10 seconds each) if the voltage drops below the specified value, the battery is either discharged or faulty.
To maintain the performance and longevity of the battery and electrical equipment, the following requirements must be met:
- do not leave the engine running with the battery disconnected, as this may cause damage to the electrical equipment;
- if the car is parked for a long time, remove the battery and recharge it approximately once a month. Otherwise, the battery may be completely discharged and become unusable;
- maintain proper battery charging current. It should be approximately 10% of its capacity. For example, for a 36 Ah battery, the current should be around 3.6 A. During charging, you need to unscrew the plugs from the battery and place them on the holes.
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