Replacing the battery on a Volkswagen Touareg is, unfortunately, a bit of an ordeal. Where other manufacturers are content with placing the battery in the engine bay or in the boot of the car, Volkswagen needed as much space as possible, so they hid it under the front passenger seat (in RHD models).
Getting to the battery and changing it will take you a good couple of minutes but once you've assessed the situation you will see that it's not all doom and gloom.
Related: What is covered under Volkswagen Touareg manufacturer car warranty?
The below services the T3 Volkswagen Touareg from 2010 through 2018. If your battery has completely died, you will need to connect a power source, a battery charger or booster pack, to the auxiliary terminals under the bonnet in order to keep power supplied to the electronics.
Here's how you can change the battery on your Volkswagen Touareg.
You will need:
- 10mm open-end spanner
- 10mm socket
- M10 Triple-Square bit
- Socket wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
How to:
1. Start by sliding the passenger seat as far forward as it will go.
2. Remove the plastic trim panels that cover the rear of the seat rails and place one side.
3. Pull the carpet back from beneath the seat to expose the two battery cover clips.
4. Undo the retaining clips by pulling upwards on the clips from the base.
5. Slide the seat as far back as it will go. Tilting the backrest forward will also assist.
6. Pry away the front trim panel from the lower section of the front seat.
7. Using the flathead screwdriver, lift and remove the two lower trim panels on the floor to expose the seat mounting bolts.
8. Remove the two retaining bolts using the M10 Triple-Square bit and socket wrench.
9. Tip the whole seat backwards to expose the battery box.
10. Undo the two battery cover clips and remove the battery cover.
11. Using the 10mm spanner, undo the terminals and remove the terminals from the posts.
12. Undo the two retainers on the battery with the 10mm socket, both the one on the corner and the one holding down the side of the battery.
13. Remove the battery from the battery box.
14. Replace the battery with a suitable replacement (refer to owners manual for exact specifications).
15. Reverse the process for correct installation.
Images courtesy of HowToDoYourself. Watch the video here: How To Remove The Battery From A VW 7L Touareg
