Page 115 of 388

03 Your driving environment
Starting the engine – external battery
03
115 Jump starting
If the battery is flat then the car can be started
with current from another battery.
The following points are recommended when
using a donor battery in order to avoid the risk
of an explosion:
1. Insert the remote control key in key posi-
tion 0, see page 81.
2. Ensure that the donor battery is 12 volt.
3. If the donor battery is in another car, switch
off the donor car's engine in the other car
and ensure that the cars do not touch one
another.
4. Connect the red jump lead to the positive
terminal on the donor battery
.5. Open the clips on the front cover of the
battery in your car and remove the cover,
see page 322.
6. Connect the red jump lead to the battery's
positive terminal
.
7. Connect one end of the black jump lead to
the donor battery's negative terminal
.
IMPORTANT
Connect the start cable carefully to avoid
short circuits with other components in the
engine compartment.
8. Connect the other clamp to an earthing
point, (right-hand engine mounting at the
top, the outer screw head)
. Check that
the jump lead clamps are fixed securely so
that there are no sparks during the starting
procedure.
9. Start the engine of the "donor car". Let the
engine run a few minutes at a speed slightly
higher than idle (1500 rpm).
10. Start the engine of the car with the flat bat-
tery. Do not touch the crocodile clips dur-
ing the start procedure. There is a risk of
sparks forming.11. Remove the jump leads, first the black and
then the red.
Make sure that none of the clamps on the
black jump lead comes into contact with
the battery's positive terminal or the clamp
connected to the red jump lead.
WARNING
The battery can generate oxyhydrogen gas,
which is highly explosive. One spark, which
can be generated if you connect a jump lead
incorrectly, is sufficient to make the battery
explode. The battery contains sulphuric
acid, which can cause serious burns. If the
acid comes into contact with eyes, skin or
clothing, flush with large quantities of water.
If acid splashes into the eyes, seek medical
attention immediately.
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Page 284 of 388

06 During your journey
Towing and recovery
06
284
Towing
Find out the highest legal speed for towing
before towing the car.
1. Press the remote control key into the igni-
tion switch to unlock the steering lock so
that the car can be steered, see page 81.
2. The remote control key must remain in the
ignition switch while the car is being towed.
3. Keep the towline taut when the towing
vehicle reduces speed by holding your foot
gently pressed on the brake pedal -
thereby avoiding unnecessary jerking.
4. Be prepared to brake to stop.
WARNING
•The steering lock must be unlocked
before towing.
•The remote control key must be in key
position II.
•Never remove the remote control key
from the ignition switch while driving or
when the car is being towed.
WARNING
The brake servo and power steering do not
work when the engine is switched off. The
brake pedal must be pressed about five
times harder than normal, and the steering
will be considerably heavier than normal.
Manual gearbox
Move gear lever into neutral and release
the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox, Geartronic
IMPORTANT
Note that the car must always be towed with
the wheels rolling forward.
•Cars with automatic gearbox must not
be towed at speeds above 80 km/h or
further than 80 km.
Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.
Automatic gearbox, PowershiftThe 2.0T with Powershift automatic transmis-
sion should not be towed as the transmission
is dependent on the engine running in order to
receive sufficient lubrication.
IMPORTANT
Avoid towing.
•However, the car can be towed for a
short distance at low speed to move it
from a dangerous position - not further
than 10 km and not faster than
10 km/h. Note that the car must always
be towed with the wheels rolling for-
ward.
•In the event of moving a longer distance
than 10 km, the car must be transported
with the drive wheels raised from the
road - professional recovery is recom-
mended.
Move the gear selector to position N and
release the parking brake.
Jump startingDo not tow the car to bump start the engine.
Use a donor battery if the battery is discharged
and the engine does not start, see page 115.
IMPORTANT
Bump starting the car can damage the cat-
alytic converter.
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Page 321 of 388

08 Maintenance and service
Battery
08
321 Warning symbols on the battery
Use protective goggles.
Further information in the
owner's manual.
Store the battery out of
the reach of children.
The battery contains cor-
rosive acid.
Avoid sparks and naked
flames.
Risk of explosion.
Must be taken for recy-
cling.
NOTE
An expended battery must be recycled in an
environmentally responsible manner - it
contains lead.
Operation
•Check that the cables to the battery are
correctly connected and properly tight-
ened.
•Never disconnect the battery when the
engine is running.
The service life and function of the battery is
influenced by factors such as the number of
starts, discharging, driving style, driving con-
ditions, climatic conditions etc.
IMPORTANT
Never use a quick charger to charge the
battery.
WARNING
Batteries can generate oxyhydrogen gas,
which is highly explosive. One spark, which
can be generated if the jump leads are con-
nected incorrectly, is sufficient to make the
battery explode. The battery contains sul-
phuric acid, which can cause serious burns.
If sulphuric acid comes into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing, flush with large quan-
tities of water. If acid splashes into the eyes,
seek medical attention immediately.
ProCarManuals.com