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 ex-
plosion:
All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks.
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-
tem ⇒ Vehicle battery.
Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehi-
cle battery.
Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the posi-
tive cable, then the negative cable.
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.
Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to
touch.
Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery
terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.
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.
Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle
battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the
vehicle battery to ignite.
Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or
frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can ex-
plode. Replace the battery instead.
Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufac-
turer.
Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-
tance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and
about the same capacity (see battery label).
When not to tow your vehicle
In the following situations, the vehicle cannot be towed and must be
transported on a flatbed truck or trailer:
If transmission fluid has leaked out of the transmission.
If there is little or no oil in the transmission because of damage to
your vehicle, it must be moved with the drive wheels off the ground.
If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
When the vehicle battery is dead, because the steering may remain
disabled and it may not be possible to release the electronic steering
column lock. If the electronic parking brake was engaged when the
battery died, it cannot be released.
If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than
30 miles (50 km).
Towing other vehicles
Obey all legal requirements
Read and heed all towing information in the owner's manual for the
other vehicle.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic parking brake and
the electronic steering column lock are released. In case of a power
loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the engine may have to
be jump-started ⇒ Jump-starting in order to release the electronic
parking brake and the electronic steering column lock.
Installing the front towing eye
Fig. 212 In the right front bumper: Removing the cover cap.
