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The procedure for attaching and for removing the jumper cables is described below. Perform each of the following steps only in the order described, which follow the letters shown in the illustration
⇒ fig. 183 A – B – C – D.
Attaching jumper cables
1. Switch off the ignition in both vehicles ⇒ page 205, Starting and stopping the electric drive.
2. Open the battery cover in the electric motor compartment if the battery has a cover ⇒ 12 Volt vehicle battery.
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 terminal (+) of the good battery (booster battery): (2).
5. Attach one end of the black jumper cable to the negative jump-start terminal ⇒ Jump-start termi-nal, or if that is not available, to the negative terminal (-) of the battery in the vehicle providing
assistance (2) ⇒ fig. 183.
6. Attach the other end of the black jumper cable (3) to the negative jump-start terminal ⇒ Jump-start terminal, or if that is not available, a bare metal part of the vehicle with the dead battery. This part should be connected directly to the electric motor block. You may also attach the cable to the
electric motor block itself or to the towing eye installed on the front of the vehicle ⇒ page 408, Tow-
ing. 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 electric motor compartment of either vehicle.
Starting the electric motor
x Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is providing help and let it run at idle speed.
x Turn on the ignition of your vehicle with the dead battery. If the electric motor can be activated, wait
2 to 3 minutes before removing the jumper cables as described below ⇒ . If the electric motor cannot be activated within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least 1 minute; then try again.
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 electric motor activated, 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 ⇒ Installing the front towing eye.
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WARNING
Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an acci-dent and serious personal injury, note the following:
x The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:
– Since the brake booster also does not work when the electric motor is stopped, you will need to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-end the towing vehicle.
– Will have to use considerably more force to turn the steering wheel because the power steering is not working.
x The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:
– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.
– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.
– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.
NOTICE
x Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.
Text messages
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WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the electric drive.
x Never tow the vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
Tips on towing
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WARNING
If the vehicle is towed even though the text message Towing damages electrical sys-tem. See owner's man.! appears in the instrument cluster, vibrations can occur in the electric drive and the front wheels can lock, especially on ice or wet roads. Locking front wheels can impair the steering functions and cause accidents and serious injuries.
x If the message Towing damages electrical system. See owner's man.! appears in the instrument cluster, only tow the vehicle in emergency situations at walking speed and for a maximum of 330 ft. (100 m).
NOTICE
If the vehicle is towed even though the text message Towing damages electrical system. See owner's man.! appears in the instrument cluster and walking speed is exceeded or it is towed further than 330 ft. (100 m), serious damage can be done to the to the electric drive.
A vehicle can be towed only if the electronic parking brake is switched off and the electronic steering column lock is released. In case of a power loss or malfunctions of the electrical system, the electric motor may have to be jump-started in order to release the electronic steering column lock and the electronic parking brake.
Installing the front towing eye
Fig. 184 In the right front bumper: Removing the cover.
