Mercedes-Benz Vito 111 CDI/BlueTEC Operating Instructions Manual page 336

Battery
334
Before handling the battery, touch the vehicle
body to remove any existing electrostatic
build-up.
The flammable gas mix is produced when the
battery is charged or when the vehicle is jump-
started.
Always make sure that neither you nor the bat-
tery is electrostatically charged. Electrostatic
charging results, for example, from:
wearing synthetic clothing
R
friction between clothing and the seat
R
dragging or pushing the battery across carpet
R
flooring or any other synthetic materials
rubbing the battery with cloths or towels
R
Comply with the following safety precautions
and take protective measures when handling
batteries.
Risk of explosion. Explosive oxyhy-
drogen is produced when batteries
are being charged. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
Fire, naked flames and smoking are
prohibited when working on the bat-
tery. Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear acid-proof protective gloves. If
skin or clothes are splashed with
acid, neutralise the splashes imme-
diately with soapy water or an acid
neutraliser, then clean the affected
areas with water. Consult a doctor if
necessary.
Wear eye protection. When mixing
water and acid, the liquid can splash
into your eyes. Rinse acid splashes
to the eyes immediately with clean
water and contact a doctor immedi-
ately.
Keep children at a safe distance.
Children are not able to assess the
dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
these Operating Instructions.
H
Environmental note
Batteries contain pollutants.
It is illegal to dispose of them
with the household rubbish.
They must be collected sep-
arately and disposed of in an
environmentally responsible
recycling system.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally responsible
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or to a col-
lection point for used batter-
ies.
Observe the following notes:
Recharge the battery more frequently, if you:
R
predominantly drive short distances
-
predominantly drive at low outside temper-
-
atures
leave the vehicle parked for a lengthy
-
period
In order for the batteries to achieve their max-
imum possible service life, they must always
be sufficiently charged.
Consult a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre if
R
you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for a
long period of time.
When you park the vehicle, remove the key if
R
you do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
If your vehicle requires jump-starting, or if you
R
wish to provide jump-starting assistance to
another vehicle, only use the jump-starting
connection point in the engine compartment
Y
( page 349).
For safety reasons, only replace a battery with
R
a battery that has been recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
These batteries have been tested and
approved for your vehicle. They provide
increased impact protection to prevent vehi-
cle occupants from suffering acid burns
should the battery be damaged in the event of
an accident.
Have the battery removed at a qualified spe-
R
cialist workshop.