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.
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 ⇒ 12 Volt vehicle bat-tery.
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 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 win-dow clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the vehicle. Get expert assis-tance.
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 smok-ing 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 (-) termi-nals with each other.