238
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Warning!
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
could cause an explosion, resulting in severe
personal injuries.
fCharge battery in a well ventilated area.
fNever charge a frozen battery. It may explode
because of gas trapped in the ice. Allow a fro-
zen battery to thaw out first.
fIf you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-tor. Slow battery charging
1. Pay attention to all warnings and follow instruc-
tions that come with your battery charger.
2. When charging, ensure adequate ventilation.
3. Remove battery.
Please observe the chapter “REMOVING THE
BATTERY” on Page 240.
4. All vent caps should be open.
The fluid level should meet the indicator mark
in each cell.
5. Ensure that charger is switched off – danger of
short circuit!
6. Connect charger cables.
Charger cables must be connected
POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+) and
NEGATIVE (–) to NEGATIVE (–).
7. Switch on charger.
Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
Rated capacity of the battery in your vehicle is
listed on the battery housing.
8. After charging, turn off charger and disconnect
charger cables.
9. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.
Please observe the chapter “INSTALLING THE
BATTERY” on Page 241.
Winter operation The capacity and ability of the battery to store
power decreases at low outside temperatures.
Additionally, more power is consumed while start-
ing, and the headlights, heater, rear window de-
fogger, etc., are used more frequently.
fLet your Porsche dealer test the battery’s
capacity before winter sets in.
The battery will discharge more quickly if your ve-
hicle is not driven on a daily basis over a distance
of several miles. The more often you drive your ve-
hicle, and the longer the distance driven on each
trip, the more opportunity the vehicle’s charging
system will have to recharge the batteries.
242
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Emergency Starting with Jumper
Cables If the battery is discharged, e.g. in winter or after
the car has been parked for a long time, the bat-
tery of another car can be used for starting with
the help of jumper cables.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the
same. Both batteries must be 12 volt types.
The capacity (Ampere hours, Ah) of the booster
battery must not be substantially less than that of
the discharged battery.
The discharged battery must be correctly con-
nected to the vehicle’s electrical system.
fPlease observe the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 236.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMERGENCY UN-
LOCKING OF THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
LID” on Page 235.
Note
fDo not try to start the car by pushing or tow-
ing. Damage to the catalytic converters and
other components of the car may result.
Warning!
Risk of damage and serious personal injury
due to short circuit.
fUse only jumper cables of adequate diameter
cross-section and fitted with completely insu-
lated alligator clips.
fFollow all warnings and instructions of the
jumper cable manufacturer.
fWhen connecting jumper cables, make sure
that they cannot get caught in any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
The jumper cables must be long enough so
that neither vehicles nor cables touch another.
fThe vehicles must not be in contact, otherwise
current might flow as soon as the positive ter-
minals are connected.
fThe cable clamps must not be allowed to con-
tact each other when one end of the jumper ca-
bles are connected to a battery.
fEnsure that tools or conductive jewelery (rings,
chains, watch straps) do not come into contact
with the positive jumper cable or the positive
battery post.
fImproper hook-up of jumper cables can ruin
the alternator. Danger of caustic burns.
fDo not lean over the battery.
Danger of gas explosion.
fImproper use of booster battery to start a
vehicle may cause an explosion, resulting in
severe personal injuries.
fKeep sources of ignition away from the bat-
tery, e.g. open flame, burning cigarettes or
sparking due to cable contact or welding work.
fA discharged battery can freeze even at
23°F/–5°C.
Before connecting jumper cables, a frozen bat-
tery must be thawed out.