WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
NOTICE
Always insert and remove lamps carefully to help prevent damage to the vehicle paint or to other parts of the vehicle.
Replacing headlight bulbs
Fig. 196 In the engine compartment: Covers in the left headlight assembly. 1 Low beam, 2 Turn signal indicator, 3 High beam and parking light as well as daytime running light.
Before removing the jumper cables
x Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
x In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes when the cables are disconnected.
Removing jumper cables
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order to the way they were connected.
1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the good battery).
4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.
5. Close the battery cover.
6. If necessary, unscrew the towing eye on the front of the vehicle ⇒ page 453, Installing the front towing eye.
WARNING
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery explosion:
x All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system, Vehicle battery.
x Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehicle battery.
x Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the positive cable, then the negative cable.
x Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake hoses or brake lines.
x Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to touch.
x Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
x Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the window clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert assistance.
x Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the vehicle battery to ignite.
x Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can explode. Replace the battery instead.
x Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufacturer.
x Always make sure that the battery providing starting assistance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and about the same capacity (see battery label).
x Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire, sparks, open flame and smoking materials away from batteries.
x Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the negative terminal of the dead battery. The hydrogen gas from the battery is explosive.
x Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.
off as long as the turn signal is blinking. As soon as the turn signal lever returns to its neutral position, the emergency flashers are automatically activated again.
As the driver of the vehicle being towed:
x If your vehicle is the one being towed, the ignition switch must be switched on to keep the steering wheel from locking. Also make sure that the turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and windshield washers work properly.
x Since power steering does not work when the engine is switched off, more effort is needed to steer the vehicle.
x Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Do not hit the towing vehicle.
x Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the towing vehicle's owner's manual.
As the driver of the towing vehicle:
x Drive especially carefully and accelerate gently. Avoid sudden driving maneuvers.
x Brake earlier and more gently than usual and with light pedal pressure.
x Read and heed the information and WARNINGS in the owner's manual of the vehicle being towed.
