Jump starting your car

If the 12 V battery level is below a certain point, you need to jump start your car with an external source. Read through the information before you start and perform each step carefully.

 Warning

  • If the 12 V battery has been disconnected, the windows' pinch protection needs to be reset.
  • The battery can generate oxyhydrogen gas which is highly explosive.
  • The battery contains sulphuric acid which can cause serious burns and corrosion. If the sulphuric acid comes into contact with skin or clothes, rinse them with plenty of water. If the acid gets into eyes, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Never smoke near the battery.

 Warning

California Proposition 65

Operating, servicing and maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-highway motor vehicle can expose you to chemicals including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide, phthalates, and lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. To minimize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the engine except as necessary, service your vehicle in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves or wash your hands frequently when servicing your vehicle. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle. Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules and seatbelt pre-tensioners may contain Perchlorate Material. Special handling may be required for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.

 Important

Do not charge another car

The charging points on your car's 12 V battery are only meant for charging your own car. Do not attempt to charge another car.

You need access to an external charger or 12 V battery, such as in another car, and a pair of jumper leads.

If the traction battery is also flat, you need to charge it with a charging cable after you get the electric system running again to be able to start the engine.

Make sure your car's ignition is off.
If using another car's 12 V battery, make sure it's engine is off and that the cars are not in contact with each other.

Connecting the cables

 Warning

Make sure that the jump leads only come into contact with the charging terminals in the engine compartment. Carefully avoid the jump leads contacting other components.
Attach the red jump lead to the external battery's positive terminal.
Remove the cover for the positive terminal on your 12 V battery and attach the other end of the red lead.
Attach the black jump lead to the external battery's negative terminal.
Attach the other end of the black lead to the negative terminal on your battery.

Check that the clamps are properly attached. Poor contact can cause sparks or the clamps to loosen during the start attempt.

Jumper lead connection
Jumper lead connection

Start attempt

 Warning

Do not touch the leads or clamps while either battery is active. There is a risk of creating sparks.
Activate the external battery and charge your car's battery for a few minutes. If you are using the battery on another car, let its engine run at a slightly higher idling speed than normal, approx. 1500 rpm.
Start your car.
Check the driver display to see if your car is ready to drive. The fuel engine doesn't always need to start. In normal conditions, the electric motor is prioritised.
If the start attempt fails, keep charging for 10 minutes and then try again.
While your car is still running, remove the leads in the opposite order, first black and then red. Make sure that the black jump lead does not touch any of the positive terminals or the red jump lead.

Keep your car running for a while to charge the 12 V battery. It charges better while you drive.