This is probably an indication of a mild OCD disorder, but I do like to read car manuals, especially on one newly acquired.

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before, I came across these apparent contraindictions :-

Page 259 Working on the Battey

"Caution !

You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on, otherwise the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged."

Then goes on to say what order to disconnect.reconnect the terminals.

This struck me as odd, but read on :confused:

Page 260

Charging the battery.

"- Read the warning notes in "Working on the battery" on page 258

- Switch the ignition and all electrical off"

So which is correct ???

My guess is the second, on general logical terms, but it seems a direct contra-indication.

Only disconnect the battery with the ignition switched on.

Thats what a well respected Skoda technician told me once.

Incidentally, most people come here because they've not read the manual - so I doubt anyone else has noticed

Only disconnect the battery with the ignition switched on.

Thats what a well respected Skoda technician told me once.

Did he say why?! I've always done it with the ignition off because there's then no load on the battery (well assuming the clock draws negligible load!

Chris

Always re-connect it with the ignition on too

Caution !

You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on, otherwise the .

my guess is that is should have read "you must never disconnect the battery if the ingition is switched on"

dont do it with the ignition switched on otherwise you'l get sparks! also if there's a short somewhere it could be potentially fatal

Yes why indeed?? There has to be a logical explanation, but I would think there would be a risk of voltage spikes etc. if you disconnect with the system live?

I was always told to disconnect and reconnect with it all off; I always make sure I have the keys in my pocket so I know it cannot be on.

Interesting, forum users so far seem to be equally divided on the issue! :confused:

There must be a right answer, unless of course it doesn't matter a toss what you do as long as you are careful with disconnecting and reconnecting the battery tereminals.

I personally wouldn't want to hook up or disconnect a battery that will have an instant load on it thank you very much.

I was always told to disconnect and reconnect with it all off; I always make sure I have the keys in my pocket so I know it cannot be on.

It also means that if the car has central locking that automatically locks when you disconnect the battery (stupid Nissan Micra) you can get back into the car! :rofl:

Chris

also there's a possibility that the airbag( if fitted) can deploy too

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before

O/T but I had a new Civic as a works hire car the other week. 504 pages I think that one ran too, and that was all in English and apparently just for the 5dr varient :eek:

Must be a good job writing these! :rubchin:

Steve

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before

[off-topic]

I had a new Civic as a works hire car the other week. 504 pages I think that one ran too, and that was all in English and apparently just for the 5dr varient :eek:

Must be a good job writing these! :rubchin:

[/off-topic]

I'd much prefer to connect it when I knew nothing was going to magically spring to life the second I made the connection!

Steve

Ignition off, no way would i ever connect something that can put out 60A to a system that could be drawing a fair amount from it.

Also, I would have thought the airbags wouldn't like it and that the warning is wrong otherwise the car could not cope with a flat battery.

Disconnect after turning off ignition for sure. The car (ECU in particular) has detection for low/no batt anyway, the only time it causes problems is when you are (re)mapping a car and the battery drops below a certain voltage. That however is only critical for remapping, during normal operation you will be protected against it