Checking and refilling levels
engine compartment. Wait until no steam
or coolant can be seen before opening the
bonnet.
accident!. A hydraulic jack is insufficient for
securing the vehicle and there is a risk of
injury.
For the sake of the environment
●
Inspect the ground underneath your vehi-
cle regularly so that any leaks are detec-
ted at an early stage. If you find spots of oil
or other fluids in the area where it was
parked, have your vehicle inspected at the
workshop.
●
●
Keep children away from the engine
If any work has to be performed when the
compartment.
engine is started or with the engine running,
there is an additional, potentially fatal,
safety risk from the rotating parts, such as
the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc.,
and from the high-voltage ignition system.
You should also observe the following:
●
Never spill liquids used for vehicle opera-
tion on the engine compartment, as these
may catch fire (e.g. the antifreeze in cool-
ant).
●
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the en-
vironment. For this reason you should make
regular checks on the ground underneath
your vehicle. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a
specialised workshop.
●
Avoid causing short-circuits in the elec-
–
Never touch the electrical wiring of the
ignition system.
trical system, particularly at the points
where the jump leads are attached
–
page 53. The battery could explode.
Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing
and long hair do not get trapped in ro-
tating engine parts. Danger of death.
Before starting any work remove jewel-
lery, tie back and cover hair, and wear
tight-fitting clothes.
›››
●
If working inside the engine compart-
ment, remember that, even when the igni-
tion is switched off, the radiator fan may
start up automatically, and therefore there
is a risk of injury.
Note
In right-hand drive vehicles some brake flu-
id reservoirs are on the other side of the en-
gine compartment Fig. 227.
›››
–
Never accelerate with a gear engaged
without taking the necessary precau-
tions. The vehicle could move, even if
the handbrake is applied. Danger of
death.
●
Never cover the engine with additional in-
sulating materials such as a blanket. Risk of
fire!
●
Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant
expansion tank when the engine is hot. The
cooling system is under pressure.
●
Observe the following additional warn-
ings if work on the fuel system or the elec-
trical system is necessary:
●
Protect face, hands and arms by cover-
ing the cap with a large, thick rag to protect
against escaping coolant and steam.
–
Always disconnect the 12-volt vehicle
battery from the on-board network.
●
Always make sure you have not left any
–
–
–
Do not smoke.
objects, such as cleaning cloths or tools, in
the engine compartment.
Never work near naked flames.
●
If you have to work underneath the vehi-
Always keep an approved fire extin-
guisher immediately available.
cle, you must use suitable stands addition-
ally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of
327
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