Preparing Battery for Vehicle Storage

Preliminary work:
Charge battery, check state of charge and capacity, Check Condition of Battery

NOTE: Observe warning information and safety regulations, Technician Safety Information






Retract trunk lid handle by actuating switch on trunk lock.






NOTE: As of approx. 01/95 the switch on the trunk lock has been eliminated. In this case it is necessary to retract the trunk lid grip manually with the lever (1) and switch off the closing assist with the switch (2).
Lock vehicle manually or with infrared remote control.






NOTE: The pin in the trunk lid auxiliary lock should not be extended, if necessary repeat locking procedure.

1 Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2 Recharge battery every three months and then measure electrolyte density. Electrolyte density specification 1.28 kg/dm cu. (see image below).

Never allow the battery to stand discharged, otherwise sulfate will deposit on the plates. Sulfated plates damage the battery leading to premature failure.






Anti-freeze protection as function of state of charge

NOTE: The electrolyte density is dependent on the temperature and varies by 0.01 kg/dm cu. for each 15 °C.
Examples:
Electrolyte density at 20 °C 1.28 kg/dm cu.
Electrolyte density at 35 °C 1.29 kg/dm cu.
Electrolyte density at 5 °C 1.27 kg/dm cu.

Commercially available tester
Acidimeter e.g. Hazet