MG ZR Series Owner's Manual page 143

Starting the car
Turn off the starter switch and ALL electrical equipment of
BOTH vehicles, then follow the instructions that follow:
Ensure that each booster cable connection is securely made and
that there is no risk of the clips accidentally slipping from the
battery terminals (as a result of engine vibration, for example); this
could cause sparking, which could lead to fire or explosion.
HB0655
Positive battery terminal connection with quick release clamp fitted.
1. Connect the RED booster cable between the positive (+)
terminals of both batteries.
NOTE: On cars fitted with a quick-release battery clamp, it may
not be possible to connect the booster cable securely to the terminal. In
this case, attach the booster cable to the head of the bolt provided
(arrowed in illustration).
Emergency Starting
2. Connect the BLACK booster cable from the negative (-)
terminal of the donor battery, to a good earth point (e.g. an
engine mounting, chassis member or other unpainted
surface), at least 0.5 m from the battery and well away from
fuel and brake lines on the disabled vehicle (see illustration).
DO NOT connect a booster cable to the negative (-) terminal
of the discharged battery!
3. Check that the cables are clear of moving parts of both
engines, then start the engine of the donor vehicle and allow
it to idle for a few minutes.
4. Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged
battery - DO NOT crank the engine for more than 15
seconds at a time.
5. Once both engines are running normally, allow them to idle
for two minutes, before switching off the engine of the donor
vehicle and disconnecting the booster cables. DO NOT
switch on any electrical circuits on the previously disabled
vehicle, until AFTER the booster cables have been removed.
6. Disconnecting the booster cables must be an exact reversal of
the procedure used to connect them, i.e.: disconnect the
BLACK cable from the earth point on the disabled vehicle
FIRST.
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