154n
BatteryCharge condition You can read the charge condition of
the battery with the "Magic Eye"
(hydrometer):
>Green: adequate charge
>Black: not charged adequately.
The battery must be recharged
Please contact your BMW center.
>Yellow: replace the battery.
The projected service life of the
battery can only be reached if the
battery is fully-charged at all times.
Check the charge condition of the
battery frequently if the vehicle is used
primarily for driving short distances. < 367de337
Charging the batteryCharge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is switched off.
Charge the battery using the auxiliary
jump-start terminal and a ground in the
engine compartment, refer to Jump-
starting on page 158.
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal. Then recharge the battery with
an appropriate battery charger.
If you intend to store your vehicle for
longer than twelve weeks: remove the
battery, charge it and store it in a cool
(but frost- and dust-free) room. Every
three months and before reinstalling the
battery, have it recharged. If it is not
recharged, it will not be serviceable.
Every time the battery is discharged,
especially over extended periods, its
service life is reduced, refer also to
page 131.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your BMW center.
Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Secure
the battery against tilting when trans-
porting.<
158n
Jump-startingNever use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.
When your battery is discharged you can
used two jumper cables to start your
vehicle with power from the battery in a
second vehicle. You can also use the
same method to help start another
vehicle. Always use jumper cables with
fully insulated handles on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch components
carrying high-voltage on a running
engine. Contact with components
carrying high voltage can cause fatal
injury. Carefully observe the following
instructions to avoid personal injury
and/or damage to one or both vehi-
cles.<
1. Ensure that the battery in the support
vehicle is also rated at 12 volts. This
information is provided on the top of
the battery casing
2. Do not disconnect the battery from
your vehicle's electrical system.
Switch off all electrical accessories in
both vehicles
3. Make absolutely certain that there is
no contact between the bodywork of
the two vehicles Ð short circuit
hazard
4. Start the engine on the support
vehicle and allow it to run
5. Use the jumper cable (+) to connect
the positive terminal of the battery in
the support vehicle with the auxiliary
positive terminal provided in the
engine compartment of your BMW
specifically for jump-starting. The
cover on this auxiliary terminal is
identified by a "+" symbol, refer to
the illustration. Pull up to open the
cover 367de381
6. Then connect the negative terminals.
Connect one end of the other jumper
cable (Ð) to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal or
a suitable ground on its engine or
bodywork. Connect the other end to
the negative battery terminal or a
suitable ground on the vehicle being
started. There is a special nut on the
strut dome of your BMW; refer to the
arrow in the illustration
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.< 367de639
