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Self-help
Both batteries must be rated at 12 Volts. The capacity (Ah) of the booster
battery should not be significantly lower than that of the discharged battery.
Jump leads
The jump leads must be heavy enough to carry the starter current and must
be fitted with insulated battery clamps. Refer to the instructions given by
the manufacturer.
Positive cable – usually red
Negative cable – usually black
WARNING
● A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures slightly below 0 °C
(32 °F). Do not attempt a jump start with a frozen battery – Explosion
hazard!
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 182.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. Additionally, the jump lead attached to the positive battery termi-
nal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle. Risk of short circuit!
● Do not connect the negative lead to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. In the event of sparks when starting the engine, the ex-
plosive gas given off by the battery could catch fire.
● Position the jump leads in such a way that they cannot come into con-
tact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the battery. Risk of acid burns!
● The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
● Keep sources of fire (flames, lit cigarettes, etc.) away from the bat-
tery. Risk of explosion!
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in which the electrolyte level is
too low. Risk of explosion and acid burns.
Note
● The vehicles must not touch each other, as electricity could flow as soon
as the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system.
● The jump leads should be checked in a specialist vehicle battery shop.
Starting the engine
Fig. 143 Jump-starting
with the battery of anoth-
er vehicle: A – Dis-
charged battery, B –
Boosting battery
The two jump leads must be connected in the correct sequence:
Connecting the positive terminals with the positive lead
– Connect one end 1
⇒ Fig. 143 to the positive terminal of the
flat battery A.
– Connect the other end 2
to the positive terminal of the boost-
ing battery B.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
216Self-help
Connecting negative terminals with the engine block
–Connect one end 3
⇒ Fig. 143 to the negative terminal of the
boosting battery B.
– Attach the other end 4
to a solid metal part firmly attached to
the engine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting the engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– If the engine fails to start, do not operate the start for longer
than 10 seconds. Wait for about 30 seconds and try again.
– Remove the jump leads from the engine in exactly the opposite
sequence to that described above. Jump-starting vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 144 Jump-starting
vehicles with the START-
STOP system
In vehicles fitted with the START-STOP system, the booster cable cannot be
directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but must
be attached to the engine earthing point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Vehicles with manual gearbox can be towed using a towbar or tow-
rope. They can also be towed with either the front or rear wheels
lifted off the road.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox can be towed using a towbar or
towrope. They can also be towed with the front wheels lifted off the
