Jump-starting, tow-starting and tow-
ing away
Jump-starting
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of
injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale gases released from the battery.
When carrying out maintenance work on the
battery, wear acid-resistant protective cloth-
ing, particularly protective eyewear, protec-
tive gloves and an apron. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep the batteries out of the
reach of children.
If you come into contact with battery acid,
observe the following:
R
immediately rinse battery acid off skin
thoroughly with plenty of clean water and
seek immediate medical attention.
R
if you get battery acid in your eyes, rinse
them thoroughly with plenty of clean
water immediately. Consult a doctor with-
out delay.
G
WARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive
gases can escape from the battery. There is
a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensure there is suffi-
cient ventilation while charging and jump-
starting. Do not lean over a battery.
!
Observe the following notes. Batteries or
electronic component parts in the vehicle
can otherwise be damaged:
R
Do not use rapid charging equipment for
starting assistance.
R
If you use mobile charging equipment
(batteries with mains adapter), disconnect
the mains plug prior to the starting assis-
tance.
R
Only receive starting assistance from
vehicles with a 24 or 12 V system.
R
If starting assistance is provided from
vehicles with a 12 V system, wait about
15 minutes until the starter battery is par-
tially charged.
R
Use jumper cables protected from polar-
ity reversal with a cable cross-section of
approximately 35 – 50 mm
2
and insulated
terminal clamps.
R
A discharged battery can freeze if outside
temperatures fall below 14 ‡ (
Ò
10 †). In
this case, do not start the engine. Let the
battery thaw first.
!
Do not connect the negative terminal
clamp of the jump lead to the vehicle frame.
Otherwise, engine or transmission compo-
nents can be damaged.
!
When removing the jumper cable, let the
engine of the vehicle receiving power run at
idle speed. This will prevent damage to the
vehicle electronics.
General notes
Observe the safety notes and protective meas-
ures when handling the battery (
Y
page 166).
After jump-starting, have the batteries
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
X
Make sure that the vehicles are not touch-
ing.
X
Apply the parking brake.
X
Switch off all electrical consumers.
X
Turn the key back in the ignition lock as far
as it will go.
Observe that different batteries must be used
when jump starting with a 12 V voltage source
depending whether starting assistance is
being given or received.
186
Jump-starting, tow-starting and towing away
Breakdown
assistance
