Jump-Starting - Mercedes-Benz R-Class Owner's Manual

Jump-starting

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Jump-starting
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WARNING
There is a risk of acid burns when jump-starting a vehicle due to the gases which escape from
the battery. Do not lean over the battery while the engine is being jump-started.
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WARNING
Gases escaping from the battery during jump-starting may cause minor explosions. Avoid cre-
ating sparks. Keep naked flames away from the battery, and do not smoke.
Comply with the important safety precautions when handling batteries. You will find these under
"Battery (vehicle) - important safety notes" in the index.
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WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire. Avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
! Vehicles with a petrol engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise,
the non-combusted fuel may damage the catalytic converter.
Do not use a rapid charging device to start the vehicle. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jump
leads. Observe the following points:
the battery is not accessible in all vehicles. if the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
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jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
vehicles with a petrol engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
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system are cold.
do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
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jump-starting may only be performed from batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V.
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only use jump leads that have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
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if the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
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for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
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Make sure that:
the jump leads are not damaged.
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non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps do not come into contact with other metal parts
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while the jump leads are connected to the battery.
the jump leads cannot come into contact with parts such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.
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These parts move when the engine is started and while it is running.
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Firmly depress the parking brake.
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Shift the transmission to position P.
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Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g. radio, blower, etc.).
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Open the bonnet ( Y page 278).