Jump leads: Observe information provided by the manufacturer.
If the battery is discharged the battery of a second vehicle can be used to jump-start the vehicle. Suitable jump leads are required. Both batteries must have the same voltage (V) and a similar capacity (Ah).
Jump leads
Only use jump leads with insulated battery clamps. On vehicles with a petrol engine we recommend that the leads should have a cable core of at least 25 mm2, on vehicles with a diesel engine the cable core should be at least 35 mm2. In most cases the positive cable is red and the negative cable is black.
- When it is discharged the battery can freeze at temperatures around 0°C. Never try to jump-start a car if the battery has been frozen - risk of explosion and acid burns. A battery must be replaced once it has been frozen.
- The engine compartment is a dangerous area and working here can lead to serious injuries. Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment please read and observe the warnings Link.
- Incorrect handling of the jump leads may result in the battery exploding (risk of serious injury). Please observe the following rules to minimise the risk of injury:
- The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause short circuiting.
- Position the jump leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
- Do not bend over the batteries - risk of acid burns.
- The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
- Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries: the gases given off can cause an explosion.
- Do not attach the negative cable to parts of the fuel system or to the brake pipes.
- The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as soon as the positive terminals are connected.
- If the jump leads are not connected correctly this can result in serious damage to the electrical system of the vehicle.
- The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle's electrical system.
- Please note that the method of connecting the leads (as described below) is meant for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another vehicle, you should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative terminal of the discharged battery, but directly to the engine block or a solid metal part bolted to the engine block. If the battery of the other vehicle does not have a gas vent, there is a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate and cause an explosion.
Note
Switch off the car telephone if necessary. Details will be given in the manufacturer's instructions for the car telephone.