Checking and refilling levels
●
Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or
clothing with soap solution as quickly as pos-
sible and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid
is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor im-
mediately.
● Keep children away from the battery.
● Hydrogen is released and a highly explo-
sive mixture of gases is generated when the
battery is under charge. Sparks when discon-
necting or releasing cable terminals with the
ignition switched on could also cause an ex-
plosion.
● A short circuit is produced if the battery ter-
minals are bridged, e.g. using metal objects,
cables, etc. Possible consequences of a short
circuit: melting of lead plates, battery explo-
sion and fire, splashing acid.
● The following is forbidden while working on
the battery: fire and open flames, smoking
and activities that could produce sparks.
Avoid causing sparks when handling cables
or electrical apparatus. Risk of injury in the
event of large sparks.
● Before working on the electrical system,
you must switch off the engine, the ignition
and all electrical components and disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal (-) of the
battery. To change a bulb, simply switch off
the corresponding light.
● Never charge a frozen or thawed out bat-
tery. Risk of explosion and acid burns! Re-
place a frozen battery.
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in
which the electrolyte level is too low. Risk of
explosion and acid burns! ●
Never use a damaged battery. Risk of ex-
plosion! Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately. CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery when the igni-
tion is switched on, as the electrical system
(electronic components) of the vehicle could
be damaged. When disconnecting the battery
from the vehicle electrical system, disconnect
its negative terminal (-) first. Only then may
the positive terminal (+) be disconnected.
● When connecting the battery, first connect
the positive terminal (+) and then the nega-
tive terminal (-). The battery cables must nev-
er be connected to the wrong battery termi-
nals. Risk of burning the electrical installa-
tion!
● Make sure the battery acid does not come
into contact with the bodywork. Risk of paint-
work damage.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
to protect it from ultraviolet radiation.
● If the vehicle is not used for 3 or 4 weeks,
the battery could run flat. This is because
some components use electricity even in
standby mode (e.g. control units). Prevent the
battery from running flat by disconnecting its
negative terminal or leave it charging at a low
current.
● If you frequently use the vehicle for short
trips, the battery may not fully charge and
could run flat. For the sake of the environment
A flat battery is particularly harmful waste for
the environment. It must therefore be dis-
posed of according to current local law. Note
Replace a battery once it is older than 5
years. Open the battery cover.
Fig. 115
Battery: Opening the cover. The battery is located beneath a plastic cover
in the engine compartment.
–
Open the battery cover in the direction indi-
cated by the arrow ›››
Fig. 115 .
– The po s
itive terminal (+) of the battery is
connected in reverse order.
141
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Emergencies
Check after 10 minutes of driving Check the tyre pressure after 10 minutes of
driving!
If the tyre pressure is less than 1.3 bar
(18.8 psi/130 kPa):
– Do not drive on! The tyr e cannot be suffi-
ciently filled using the tyre repair kit.
– See professional assistance.
If the tyre pressure is greater than 1.3 bar
(18.8 psi/130 kPa): – Correct the tyre pressure again to the cor-
rect value (see inside of the fuel tank flap).
– Carefully drive to the nearest specialised
workshop at a maximum speed of 80 km/h
(50 mph).
Jump-starting Introduction If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
charged battery, the battery can be connec-
ted to the battery of another vehicle to start
the engine. Suitable jump leads are required.
Both batteries need to have nominal voltage
of 12 V. The
capacity (Ah) of the back-up bat- t
er
y should not be notably less than the
drained battery.
Jump leads
The jump leads must be heavy enough to car-
ry the starter current and must be fitted with
insulated battery clamps. Refer to the instruc-
tions given by the manufacturer.
Positive cable – usually red
Neg
ative cable
– usually black WARNING
● A flat battery can also freeze at tempera-
tures slightly below to 0 °C (32 °F). Do not at-
tempt to start the vehicle with a frozen bat-
tery. Risk of explosion!
● Please note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
››› page 132.
● The non-in s
ulated parts of the battery
clamps must not be allowed to touch. Addi-
tionally, the jump lead attached to the posi-
tive battery terminal must not touch metal
parts of the vehicle. Risk of short circuit!
● Do not connect the negative lead to the
negative terminal of the discharged battery.
In the event of sparks when starting the en-
gine, the explosive gas given off by the bat-
tery could catch fire.
● Position the jump leads in such a way that
they cannot come into contact with any mov-
ing 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 battery. - Risk of explo-
sion!
● 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 electrical system.
● The jump leads should be checked in a spe-
cialist vehicle battery shop. 157
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Emergencies
on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an explosion.
●
Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
away from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the
other vehicle to parts of the fuel system or to
the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamps must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erwise electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Towing the vehicle
Introduction Vehicles with manual gearbox can be towed
using a towbar or towrope. They can also be
towed with either the front or rear wheels lif-
ted off the road.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox can be tow-
ed using a towbar or towrope. They can also
be towed with the front wheels lifted off the
road. If the vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels lifted off the road the automatic gear-
box will be damaged!
It is safer to tow a vehicle with a
towbar. A
towrope should only be used if you do not
h av
e a towbar.
Follow the instructions below when towing a
vehicle:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Engage the clutch very gently when starting
to move or on vehicles with automatic gear-
box press the accelerator carefully. –
On vehicles with a manual gearbox, the
towrope must be taut before driving off.
Maximum towing speed is 50 km/h (31
mph).
Note
s for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that
the steering wheel lock is not engaged and
the turn signals, horn and windscreen wip-
ers and washers can be used.
– Put the gear lever in neutral or move the se-
lector lever to position N (automatic gear-
bo
x).
The brake servo and power steering only
work when the engine is running. Considera-
bly more effort is required on the brake pedal
and steering wheel when the engine is
switched off.
Ensure the towrope remains taut at all times
when towing. CAUTION
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine
damage! In vehicles with a catalytic convert-
er, fuel that has not been burned could reach
the catalytic converter and catch fire in it.
This could damage and destroy the catalytic
converter. You may use the battery from an-
other vehicle to help you start your engine
››› page 158.
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Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety