Jaguar XK. Manual - part 53

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Vehicle battery

BATTERY WARNING SYMBOLS

There is a label on the battery depicting a 
number of warning signs. The warning 
signs are as follows:

No smoking, no flames, no sparks (Red).

Shield eyes (Blue).

Keep away from children (Red).

Explosive gas (Yellow).

Battery acid (Yellow).

1. DANGER/POISON

2. NO

• SPARKS
• FLAMES
• SMOKING

3. FLUSH EYES IMMEDIATELY

GET MEDICAL HELP FAST

4. SULFURIC ACID can cause 

blindness or severe burns

5. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF 

CHILDREN
DO NOT TIP
KEEP VENT CAP TIGHT AND LEVEL

6. SHIELD EYES

EXPLOSIVE GASES CAN CAUSE 
BLINDNESS OR INJURY

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BATTERY CARE

WARNINGS

Do not allow the battery 
electrolyte (fluid) to come into 
contact with your skin or eyes. It is 

both corrosive and toxic, and the 
resulting injuries can be severe. If any 
electrolyte does come into contact with 
your skin or eyes, immediately rinse the 
affected area with clean, cold water. 
Immediate medical advice will be 
required.

If battery electrolyte comes into 
contact with your skin and/or 
clothes you should remove the 

affected clothing and flush the skin with 
copious amounts of water. Seek medical 
assistance immediately.

If battery electrolyte comes into 
contact with your eyes, flush with 
copious amounts of clean cold 

water. Seek medical assistance 
immediately, and continue to flush with 
water.

If swallowed, battery electrolyte 
can be fatal. If electrolyte is 
swallowed seek medical 

assistance immediately.

Do not connect any 12 volt 
equipment directly to the battery 
terminals. Doing so may cause a 

spark, which can result in an explosion.

Switch off ignition before 
disconnecting battery terminals. 
Always disconnect the earth 

terminal first and reconnect last.

The cell plugs and vent pipe must 
be in place at all times when the 
battery is connected to the 

vehicle. Ensure that the vent pipe is clear 
of obstructions and not kinked. Failure to 
do so may cause a pressure build up in 
the battery, resulting in an explosion.

Do not expose the battery to a 
naked flame or spark as the 
battery produces explosive, 

flammable gas.

Never jump start (boost) or 
charge, a frozen battery. Doing so 
can result in an explosion.

Remove all metal jewellery before 
working on, or near, the battery, 
and never allow metal tools or 

vehicle components to come into 
contact with the battery terminals. Metal 
objects can cause sparks, and/or short 
circuits, resulting in an explosion.

Do not allow the battery posts or 
terminals to come into contact 
with your skin. They contain lead, 

and lead compounds which are toxic. 
Always wash your hands thoroughly after 
handling the battery.

CAUTION

Do not allow battery electrolyte to 
come into contact with fabrics or 
painted surfaces. If battery 

electrolyte comes into contact with any 
surface, the surface should be washed 
down immediately with copious amounts 
of clean water. Battery electrolyte is both 
corrosive and toxic, and can damage a 
wide range of materials if left.

WARNINGS

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A low maintenance battery specifically 
designed for use with this vehicle is fitted 
in the luggage compartment.

In hot climates more frequent checks of 
the battery electrolyte level are required. 
If necessary, the battery cells can be 
topped up with distilled water.

The exterior of the battery should be 
occasionally wiped clean to remove any 
dirt or grease.

Note: Do not connect any 12 volt 
equipment, (for example, a 12 volt lamp), 
directly to the battery terminals. Use the 
accessory socket located in the glove box 
for connecting Jaguar approved 
accessories.

Replacement batteries

Battery disposal

Used batteries should be recycled. 
However, batteries are hazardous - you 
should seek advice about disposal from a 
Jaguar Dealer/Authorised Repairer or 
your local authority.

USING BOOSTER CABLES

WARNING

Only fit a replacement battery of 
the same type and specification 
as the original - other batteries 

may vary in size or have different terminal 
positions which could cause a fire hazard 
when connected to the vehicle’s 
electrical system.

WARNINGS

Always wear appropriate eye 

protection when working with batteries.

During normal use, batteries emit 
explosive hydrogen gas - ensure 
sparks and naked lights are kept 

away from the engine compartment.

Do not attempt to start the vehicle 
if the electrolyte in the battery is 
suspected of being frozen.

Make sure both batteries are of 
the same voltage (12 volts), and 
that the booster cables have 

insulated clamps and are approved for 
use with 12 volt batteries.

Do not disconnect the discharged 
battery.

Do not connect positive (+) 
terminals to negative (-) terminals, 
and ensure booster cables are 

kept away from any moving parts in the 
engine compartment.

Take care when working near 
rotating parts of the engine.

CAUTIONS

If using a boost start vehicle, under 

no circumstances should the vehicles 
come into contact with each other. This 
could establish an earth connection, 
which may cause sparks and damage.

Do not run the boost start vehicle’s 
engine when boost starting a 
Jaguar vehicle. If the boost start 

vehicle’s engine is running and the jump 
leads are disconnected, damage to the 
Jaguar vehicle’s electrical system will 
result.

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This vehicle is fitted with automatic 
transmission. In the event of a discharged 
battery preventing a normal engine start, 
the vehicle cannot be started by pushing 
or towing. Either use booster cables 
connected to a booster battery (e.g. on 
another vehicle) or fit a fully charged 
battery.

Using booster cables (jump leads) from a 
donor battery, or a battery fitted to a 
donor vehicle, is the only approved 
method of starting a vehicle with a 
discharged battery. This procedure 
differs to that used to charge a battery, 
which should not be attempted with the 
battery connected to the vehicle.

Boosting from another vehicle

If a donor vehicle is to be used, both 
vehicles should be parked with their 
battery locations adjacent to each other. 
Ensure that the two vehicles do not 
touch.

Apply the park brakes and ensure that the 
transmission of both vehicles is set in 
neutral (P- Park for vehicles with 
automatic transmission).

Ensure that both vehicles have all 
electrical services OFF.

Where the booster cables are of a 
different colour, e.g. red and black, use 
red for positive (+). This aids identification 
and helps to avoid crossing positive (+) to 
negative (-). Take extra care to avoid 
crossing the polarity when using cables 
of the same colour.

Procedure for using booster 
cables

The following procedure must be 
followed exactly:

1. Remove the left-hand side luggage 

compartment trim panel cover to 
access the vehicle battery positive (+) 
remote charge terminal, remove the 
protective cap from the terminal.

2. Attach one end of the red jump lead 

to the positive (+) terminal of the 
booster battery and the other end to 
the positive (+) remote charge 
terminal of the vehicle battery.

3. Lift the luggage compartment floor 

panel to reveal the spare wheel. 
Remove the protective cap from the 
negative (-) terminal of the vehicle 
battery remote charge terminal.

WARNING

Do not use a 24 volt booster start 
system. These produce excessive 
voltage and can damage the 

vehicle’s electrical system.

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