Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
12 00... External jump-starting aid: Operation
Always conform with the procedures to avoid injury to persons or damage to parts.
Select range P in vehicles with an automatic transmission and apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever of vehicles with manual transmission into neutral and apply the parking brake.
Ensure that the starting cables cannot get caught in rotating parts, e.g. fan.
First connect both positive poles of the batteries with one starting cable (red).
Use the positive connection point in the engine compartment for vehicles with the battery in the trunk.
Then connect the second starting cable (black) between the negative pole of the current supplying battery and engine or body earth of the vehicle to be started.
Produced gas could be ignited by sparks.
Danger of explosion!
If the battery in the vehicle supplying power is weak, start the engine of this vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
After the engine of the vehicle to be started has started up, first disconnect the starting cable on the negative pole/earth connection. Then remove the starting cable from the positive poles.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.