Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Operating Instructions Manual page 212

210 Breakdown assistance
& WARNING Risk of explosion during
charging process and starting assistance
During the charging process and starting
assistance, the battery may release an explo‐
sive gas mixture.
Avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks
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and smoking.
Make sure that there is sufficient venti‐
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lation during the charging process and
during starting assistance.
Do not lean over a battery.
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& WARNING Risk of explosion from a fro‐
zen battery
A discharged battery may freeze at tempera‐
tures slightly above or below freezing point.
During starting assistance or battery charg‐
ing, battery gas can be released.
Always allow a battery to thaw before
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charging it or performing starting assis‐
tance.
If the warning/indicator lamps do not light up in
the instrument display around or below freezing
point, it is very likely that the discharged battery
has frozen.
In this case, observe the following points:
Do not give the vehicle starting assistance or
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charge the battery
The service life of a battery that has been
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thawed may be reduced drastically
The start-up behavior may deteriorate, partic‐
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ularly at low temperatures
It is recommended that you have a thawed
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battery checked at a qualified specialist work‐
shop
* 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
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to start the engine.
When jump-starting and charging the batteries,
observe the following points:
Only use undamaged jumper cables/charging
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cables with a sufficient cross-section and
insulated terminal clamps
Non-insulated parts of the terminal clamps
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must not come into contact with other metal
parts while the jumper cables/charging
cables are connected to the battery/jump-
start connection point
The jumper cables/charging cables must not
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come into contact with any parts which may
move when the engine is running
Always make sure that neither you nor the
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battery is electrostatically charged
Always keep away from fire and open flames
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Do not lean over a battery
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When charging: only use a battery charger
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that has been tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz and read the operating
instructions for your charger before charging
the batteries
Observe the additional following points during
starting assistance:
Starting assistance may only be provided
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using batteries with a nominal voltage of 12 V
The vehicles must not touch each other
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Vehicles with a gasoline engine: only per‐
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form starting assistance when the engine and
exhaust system are cold
Vehicles with a battery main switch: check
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whether the battery main switch is inserted
( page 120)
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Secure the vehicle using the parking brake.
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Vehicles with automatic transmission:
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shift the transmission to position j.
Switch off the ignition and all electrical con‐
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sumers.
Open the hood (
/
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page 192).