Jump-starting the engine

WARNING

Acid contained in the gases escaping from the battery during jump-starting can cause burns. Do not lean over the battery during jump-starting.

WARNING

Gases escaping from the battery during jump-starting may explode. Avoid creating sparks. Do not bring open flames near the battery and do not smoke.

To handle the battery, follow the safety instructions. Refer to “Vehicle battery” in the alphabetical index.

WARNING

Unburned fuel can accumulate in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire.

Avoid repeated or prolonged starting attempts.

Avoid repeated or prolonged starting attempts. Otherwise, unburned fuel may damage the catalytic converter.

Never use a quick charger to start the vehicle. If the battery is discharged, the engine can be started using the battery of another vehicle (or another battery) and jumper cables. Observe the following notes:

• The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the battery of the other vehicle is not accessible, the engine can be started using another battery or a jump-starting device.
• Only use jump-starting when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
• Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Allow it to thaw first.
• Only use jump-starting if the jump-start battery has a nominal voltage of 12 V.
• Use only jumper cables with sufficient cross-section and insulated clamps.
• If the battery is completely discharged, leave the jump-start battery connected for a few minutes before attempting to start. This gives the discharged battery a small charge.
• Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.

Make sure that

• the jumper cables are not damaged
• the uninsulated parts of the clamps do not come into contact with other metal parts while the jumper cables are connected to the battery
• the jumper cables cannot come into contact with parts such as the drive belt pulley or the fan. These parts move when the engine starts or while the engine is running.

• Apply the electric parking brake.
• Manual transmission: shift the transmission to neutral.
• Automatic transmission: shift the transmission to P.
• Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition switch, then remove it.
• Switch off all electrical consumers (radio, blower, etc.).
• Open the hood.

Number 6 indicates the charged battery of the other vehicle or a jump-starting device.

• Press in cover 1 on positive terminal 2 and push it backwards.
• Connect positive terminal 2 of your vehicle to positive terminal 3 of the other battery 6 using the jumper cable. Start with your vehicle's battery.
• Let the engine of the assisting vehicle idle.
• Connect negative terminal 4 of the other battery 6 to ground point 5 of your vehicle using the jumper cable. Start with the other battery 6.
• Start the engine.
• Let the engines run for a few minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
• Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition switch, then remove it.
• First disconnect the jumper cable connecting ground point 5 and negative terminal 4, then the one connecting positive terminal 2 and positive terminal 3. In both cases, start with the contacts of your vehicle.
• Close cover 1 over positive terminal 2 after removing the jumper cable.
• Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.

Jump-starting the engine is not a normal operating condition.

You can obtain these jump leads and further information on jump-starting the engine from any qualified workshop.