Jump-starting

Jump-starting your vehicle

If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or an external battery using jump leads.

Observe the following points:

  • Jump-starting must only be performed when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.

  • Do not start the engine if the battery has frozen. Thaw the battery out first.

  • Jump-starting may only be performed from 12 V batteries.

  • Only use jump leads which are protected against polarity reversal and which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.

Jump leads which are protected against polarity reversal and further information about jump-starting can be obtained from any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.

Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.

Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery charger.

Risk of injury

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.

Risk of explosion

Gases escaping from the battery during jump-starting may cause minor explosions. Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames away from the battery, and do not smoke.

Comply with safety precautions and take protective measures when handling batteries. You will find these under “Battery” in the index.

  

Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.

  

Depress the parking brake.

  

Manual transmission: engage neutral.

  

Automatic transmission*: move the selector lever to P.

  

All vehicles: switch off all electric consumers.

Positive terminal of donor battery
Positive contact on your vehicle
Negative contact on your vehicle
Negative terminal of donor battery
  

Lift up the red cap on positive contact on your vehicle.

  

Connect positive terminal  of the donor battery and positive contact on your vehicle, starting with your own battery.

  

Start the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.

  

Connect negative terminal  of the donor battery and negative contact on your vehicle, attaching jump-start cable to the donor battery first.

  

Start the engine.

  

Electrical consumers can be switched on again. Do not switch on the lights, however.

  

First disconnect the jump lead from negative terminals  and , then from positive terminals  and .

  

Have the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.