Jump-starting -> Using jumper cables for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Using jumper cables  
Fig. 211 Diagram for attaching the jumper cables: Dead battery 1 and  
booster battery 2.  
¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and  
heed the WARNINGS  
The dead battery must be properly connected to the vehicle's electri-  
cal system.  
Make certain that the vehicles are not touching each other. Other-  
wise, electric current could flow as soon as the positive terminals (+)  
are connected. Use longer jumper cables if necessary.  
The clamps on the jumper cables must have good contact to bare  
metal on the battery terminals.  
If the engine does not start, stop the process after 10 seconds and  
repeat after about 1 minute.  
The procedure for attaching and for removing the jumper cables is  
described below. Perform each of the following steps only in the order  
described, which follow the letters shown in the illustration fig. 211  
A – B – C – D.  
Attaching jumper cables  
1. Switch off the ignition in both vehicles Starting and stopping the  
engine.  
2. Open the battery cover in the engine compartment if the battery  
has a cover Vehicle battery or flip open the cap on the positive  
jump-start terminal6 Positive jump start terminal, 3.6 liter engine,  
fig. 210 (+).  
3. Attach one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal (+)  
of the dead battery: (1) ꢀ  
.
4. Attach the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive termi-  
nal (+) of the good battery (booster battery): (2).  
5. Attach one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal  
(-) of the booster battery: (2) fig. 211.  
6. Attach the other end of the black jumper cable (3) to a bare metal  
part of the vehicle with the dead battery. This part should be  
connected directly to the engine block. You may also attach the  
cable to the engine block itself. Attach the clamp to a point that is  
as far away as possible from the dead battery (1) ꢀ  
.
7. Route the jumper cables so that they cannot get caught in any  
moving parts in the engine compartment of either vehicle.  
Starting the engine  
Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery that is provid-  
ing help and let it run at idle speed.  
Turn on the ignition of the vehicle with the dead battery. If the en-  
gine starts, wait 2 to 3 minutes until it “runs smoothly” before remov-  
ing the jumper cables as described below . If the engine does not  
start within about 10 seconds, turn off the ignition and wait at least  
1 minute; then try again.  
Before removing the jumper cables  
Switch off the headlights (if they are on).  
In the vehicle with the dead battery, switch on the heater fan and  
the rear window defroster. This helps to minimize voltage spikes  
when the cables are disconnected.  
Removing jumper cables  
With the engine running, remove the jumper cables in reverse order  
to the way they were connected.  
1. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the vehicle with the dead bat-  
tery.  
6
For vehicles without a battery in the engine compartment, see ⇒ꢀpage 587, Positive jump start terminal,  
3.6 liter engine  
2. Disconnect the black (-) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with  
the good battery).  
3. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the other vehicle (vehicle with the  
good battery).  
4. Disconnect the red (+) cable from the vehicle with the dead battery.  
5. Close the battery cover or snap shut the cap on the positive jump-  
start terminal6, as the case may be.  
6. If necessary, unscrew the towing eye on the front of the vehicle ꢀ  
Installing the front towing eye.  
WARNING  
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle  
with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to  
serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery ex-  
plosion:  
All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-  
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks.  
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-  
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-  
tem Vehicle battery.  
Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehi-  
cle battery.  
Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the posi-  
tive cable, then the negative cable.  
Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing  
starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake  
hoses or brake lines.  
Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to  
touch.  
Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery  
terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle.  
Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle  
battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or  
other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the window  
clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the  
vehicle. Get expert assistance.  
Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle  
battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the  
vehicle battery to ignite.  
Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or  
frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can ex-  
plode. Replace the battery instead.  
Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufac-  
turer.  
Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-  
tance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and  
about the same capacity (see battery label).  
Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas. Always keep fire,  
sparks, open flame and smoking materials away from batteries.  
Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle di-  
rectly to the negative terminal of the dead battery. The hydro-  
gen gas from the battery is explosive.  
Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the posi-  
tive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other.