The essentials
starting, check the magic eye on the battery
› ›
›
page 280.
For starting assistance, jump lead cables con-
forming to the standard DIN 72553 are re-
quired (see the cable manufacturer instruc-
tions). The jump lead cable must be at least
25 mm 2
in section (0.038 inches 2
) for petrol
engines, and 35 mm 2
(0.054 inches 2
) for die-
sel engines.
For vehicles whose battery is not in the en-
gine compartment, the jump leads should
only be connected to the starting assistance
connection points in the engine compart-
ment. WARNING
Incorrect use of jump leads and incorrectly
jump st ar
ting could cause the battery to ex-
plode resulting in serious injury. Please ob-
serve the following rules to minimise the risk
of a battery explosion:
● The battery providing current must have
the same v
oltage (12V) and approximately
the same capacity (see markings on battery)
as the flat battery.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed
batter
y. A flat battery can also freeze at tem-
peratures close to 0°C (+32°F).
● If a battery is frozen and/or has been frozen
then it mus
t be replaced.
● A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
lea
sed when the battery is being charged. Al- ways keep lit cigarettes, flames, sparks and
fire f
ar fr
om the battery. Never use a mobile
telephone when connecting and removing the
jump leads.
● Charge the battery only in well ventilated
area
s given that when the battery is charged
by outside assistance, it creates a mix of
highly explosive gases.
● Jump leads should never enter into contact
with mov
ing parts in the engine compart-
ment.
● Never switch the positive and negative
pole
s or connect the jump leads incorrectly.
● Note the instruction manual provided by
the manufact
urer of the jump leads. CAUTION
To avoid considerable damage to the vehicle
electric a
l system, note the following careful-
ly:
● If the jump leads are incorrectly connected,
this c
ould result in a short circuit.
● The vehicles must not touch each other,
otherwi
se electricity could flow as soon as
the positive terminals are connected. Positive pole on the jump lead con-
nection point
s Fig. 74
In the engine compartment: positive
po l
e f
or starting assistance + .
On some vehicles, there is a starting assis-
t
anc
e t
erminal in the engine compartment,
under a labelled cover. 52
