Vehicles with a lithium-ion battery
When charging the battery and during starting assistance, always use the jump-start connection point in the engine compartment.
NOTE Damage to the battery from overvoltage
When charging using a battery charger without a maximum charging voltage, the battery or the on-board electronics may be damaged.
Only use battery chargers
with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
All other vehicles
When charging the battery and during starting assistance, always use the jump-start connection point in the engine compartment.
NOTE Damage to the battery from overvoltage
When charging using a battery charger without a maximum charging voltage, the battery or the on-board electronics may be damaged.
Only use battery chargers
with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
WARNING Risk of explosion from hydrogen gas igniting
There is a danger of hydrogen gas igniting when charging the battery if there is a short circuit or sparks start to form.
Make sure that the
positive terminal of
the connected battery does not come
into contact with vehicle parts.
Never place metal objects
or tools on a
battery.
The described order of
the battery
clamps must be observed when connecting
and disconnecting the battery.
When giving starting
assistance, always
make sure that you only connect battery
terminals with identical polarity.
During starting
assistance, you must
observe the described order for connecting
and disconnecting the jumper
cable.
Do not connect or
disconnect the battery
clamps while the engine is running.
WARNING Risk of explosion during charging process and starting assistance
During the charging process and starting assistance, the battery may release an explosive gas mixture.
Avoid fire, open flames,
creating sparks
and smoking.
Make sure there is
sufficient ventilation.
Do not lean over a
battery.
WARNING Risk of explosion from a frozen battery
A discharged battery may freeze at temperatures slightly above or below freezing point.
During starting assistance or battery charging, battery gas can be released.
Always allow a battery to
thaw before
charging it or performing starting assistance.
If the indicator/warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not light up at low temperatures, it is very likely that the discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery.
The service life of a battery that has been thawed may be dramatically shortened. The starting characteristics may be impaired, especially at low temperatures.
It is recommended that you have a thawed battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop. Plug-in hybrid: be sure to observe the notes in the Supplement. You could otherwise fail to recognize dangers.
All vehicles
NOTE Damage caused by numerous or extended attempts to start the engine
Numerous or extended attempts to start the engine may damage the catalytic converter due to non-combusted fuel.
Avoid numerous and
extended attempts
to start the engine.
Observe the following points during starting assistance and when charging the battery:
Observe the additional following points when charging the battery:
Observe the additional following points during starting assistance: