jump-start terminal6 ⇒ Positive jump start terminal, 3.6 liter engine,
⇒ fig. 210 (+).
3. Attach one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal (+)
of the dead battery: (1) ⇒ .
4. Attach the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive termi-
nal (+) of the good battery (booster battery): (2).
5. Attach one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal
(-) of the booster battery: (2) ⇒ fig. 211.
6. Attach the other end of the black jumper cable (3) to a bare metal
part of the vehicle with the dead battery. This part should be
connected directly to the engine block. You may also attach the
cable to the engine block itself. Attach the clamp to a point that is
as far away as possible from the dead battery (1) ⇒ .
7. Route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any
moving parts in the engine compartment of either vehicle.
Starting the engine
Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is provid-
ing help and let it run at idle speed.
Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the en-
gine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes until it “runs smoothly” before remov-
ing the jumper cables as described below ⇒ . If the engine does not
start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least
1 minute; then try again.
Before removing the jumper cables
Switch off the headlights (if they are on).
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 bat-
tery.
6 For vehicles without a battery in the engine compartment, see ⇒ page 587, Positive jump start terminal, 3.6 liter engine
and easier on both vehicles than using a tow rope. A tow rope should
be used only if a tow bar is not available.
The tow rope should be flexible enough to help protect both vehicles
from damage. Use a synthetic fiber rope or similar rope.
Attach the tow rope or tow bar only to the towing eye included in the
vehicle tool kit for this purpose, or to a trailer hitch.
Towing manual transmission vehicles
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below ⇒ When
not to tow your vehicle
If yes, not the following for the towed vehicle:
Shift the gearshift lever to Neutral ⇒ Shifting.
Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
Towing automatic transmission vehicles
Check whether your vehicle can be towed at all; see below ⇒ When
not to tow your vehicle
If yes, not the following for the towed vehicle:
Put the transmission in Neutral (N).
Do not tow faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Do not tow more than 30 miles (50 km).
When a commercial tow truck is being used, the vehicle must only
be towed with the front wheels lifted off the ground.
Follow the special instructions for towing vehicles with all-wheel
drive (4MOTION).
Towing vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION)
Vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION) should be towed with a tow
bar or a tow rope. If the vehicle is towed with the front or rear axles
lifted off the ground, the engine must be switched off. Otherwise the
powertrain may be damaged.
For vehicles with the DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox, also follow the di-
rections on how to tow a vehicle with automatic transmission ⇒ Tow-
ing automatic transmission vehicles.