Jump-starting in vehicles with the START-STOP system
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 144.
On vehicles with the START-STOP system, the jump-start cable of the charger
must never be connected directly to the negative pole of the vehicle battery, but
only to the engine earth
» Fig.
122.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Front towing eye
Vehicles with manual transmission can be towed in with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front or rear wheels raised.
Vehicles with automated transmission can be towed with a tow bar or a tow rope
or with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised at rear, the automatic gear-
box is damaged!
A tow bar is the safest way of towing a vehicle and also minimises any shocks.
Only use a tow rope if a suitable tow bar is not available.
When towing, the following guidelines must be observed.
Driver of the tow vehicle
›
Release the clutch particularly gently when starting off or depress the accelera-
tor particularly gently if the vehicle is fitted with an automated transmission.
146
Do-it-yourself
Fig. 122
Engine compartment: Engine
earth
147
›
On vehicles with a manual transmission, only push down on the accelerator
pedal once the rope is taught.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h.
Driver of the towed vehicle
›
Switch on the ignition so that the steering wheel is not blocked and so that the
turn signal lights, horn, windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system can
be switched on.
›
Take the vehicle out of gear or move the selector lever into position N if the ve-
hicle is fitted with an automated transmission.
Please note that the brake servo unit and power steering only operate if the en-
gine is running. If the engine is not running, significantly more physical force is re-
quired to depress the brake pedal and steer the vehicle.
If using a tow rope, ensure that it is always kept taught.
CAUTION
Do not tow start the engine - danger of damaging the engine! On vehicles with
■
a catalytic converter, unburnt fuel may get into the catalytic converter where it
may ignite. This in turn may damage or destroy the catalytic converter. The bat-
tery from another vehicle can be used as a jump-start aid
ing.
If the gearbox of your vehicle no longer contains any oil because of a defect,
■
your vehicle must only be towed in with the driven wheels raised clear of the
ground, or on a special vehicle transporter or trailer.
The vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle or trailer if it is not possible
■
to tow in the vehicle in the way described or if the towing distance is greater than
50 km.
To protect both vehicles when tow-starting or towing, the tow rope should be
■
elastic. Thus one should only use plastic fibre rope or a rope made out of a simi-
larly elastic material.
One should be constantly vigilant not to allow impermissibly high towing forces
■
or jerky loadings. There is always a risk of excessive stresses and damage result-
ing at the points to which you attach the tow rope or tow bar when you attempt
to tow a vehicle which is not standing on a paved road.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eye
■
» page
144, Jump-start-
» page
147.