2009 Mercedes SLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 331

Practical hints Battery Battery acid is caustic. Do not allow it to come into contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Wear suitable protective clothing, especially gloves, apron and faceguard. Wear eye protection. Rinse any acid spills immediately with clear water. Contact a physician if necessary. Keep children away. Follow the instructions in this Operator's Manual. Batteries contain materials that can harm the environment if disposed of improperly. Large 12-volt storage batteries contain lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of disposal. Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old batteries for recycling. G Warning! Failure to follow these instructions can result in severe injury or death. Never lean over batteries while connecting, you might get injured. Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water and seek medical help if necessary. A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking etc. G Warning! Do not place metal objects on the battery as this could result in a short circuit. Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk of acid burns in the event of an accident. ! As with any other battery, have the battery disconnect at a qualified workshop or an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center if you do not intend to operate your vehicle for an extended period of time to prevent battery discharge. You may also connect an accessory battery charge unit expressly approved by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to maintain the battery charge. Contact an authorized Mercedes- Benz Center for further information. The battery, the battery ventilation hose and the lateral plug must always be securely installed when the vehicle is in operation. ! Never loosen or detach battery terminal clamps while the engine is running or the SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the alternator and other electronic components could be severely damaged. Have the battery checked regularly at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance intervals or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further information. i Only replace a discharged battery with a battery recommended by Mercedes-Benz. 329