How to Jump Start a Mercedes-Benz the Right Way

Last updated: November 9, 2026

In this guide (6 sections)

1. Three (3) ways to jump-start a Mercedes-Benz
2. Method 1: Jump-start a Mercedes-Benz battery using a jump cable.
3. Method 2: Jump-start your car battery with a booster pack/jump starter box.
4. Method 3: charge the battery instead of jumping it
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Warnings!

Is your Mercedes-Benz battery dead? Do the lights turn on at all? Click…Click…Click… is all you hear when you try to start your Mercedes-Benz? The problem is frequently a dead battery. Improper jump-starting a Mercedes-Benz can cause electrical or control unit problems, which can become expensive repairs. In this guide, we will show you different methods that you can use to safely jump-start your car and get back on the road. You have three options to get your car running again. When the battery is completely discharged, the vehicle may not respond when you attempt to start it.  The battery could be partially discharged, so you will hear the clicking, as shown in the video clip.

When the battery is completely dead, you will know because nothing on the car turns on. The battery could be partially discharged, so you will hear a CLICK… CLICK… CLICK… as you try to start your Mercedes-Benz.

First, locate the jump-start connection points to ensure you jump-start your Mercedes-Benz correctly and do not damage any electrical components. If your Mercedes-Benz doesn’t have the jump-start connection points, you must connect directly to the battery. The battery is located in the trunk, engine bay, under the front passenger seat, or the rear passenger seat. Location of jump-start connection points on Mercedes-Benz C S E GL CLA SL Class

Three (3) ways to jump-start a Mercedes-Benz

Here are your options on how to get the car running again.

If you need to get back on the road quickly, you can start the car using jumper cables. The problem with this method is that if the battery is entirely dead, jump-starting can shorten its life or even damage the battery. A deeply discharged battery may have reduced capacity or internal damage, particularly if it has remained discharged for an extended period. Jump-starting may temporarily restore the vehicle’s ability to start, but it does not confirm that the battery is healthy. Have the battery and charging system tested after a jump-start, especially if the battery repeatedly becomes discharged. It can also cause electronic components in the car to malfunction and trigger under-voltage fault codes in the control units in your Mercedes-Benz. The best option is to use a battery charger if possible. It will take longer, but you can save your battery and avoid damaging your car’s electronics.

1. Use jumper cables and another car.
   (Higher risk. May trigger under-voltage fault codes in control units.)
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2. Use a booster starter jump box (Recommended to keep the jump box connected for 15 minutes after the start)
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3. Charging the battery using a battery charger (Best method)
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Here are the instructions for jump-starting your Mercedes-Benz by applying these methods.

• When you jump-start a car, do not allow the clamps to touch each other or the car frame.
• To avoid damaging the electrical components of your Mercedes-Benz, it is recommended to use the jump-starting terminals found in the engine bay whenever possible.
• If your battery is completely dead, remove the metal blade key from your keyless remote and use it to unlock the driver’s door or the trunk. If the battery is already flat enough that the trunk release will not respond and the battery lives back there, start by opening the trunk manually.
• Never attempt to jump-start or charge a frozen battery. Allow it to thaw first and have it inspected by a qualified technician. A frozen or damaged battery can present an explosion risk during charging or jump-starting.

Method 1: Jump-start a Mercedes-Benz battery using a jump cable.

Always check your Mercedes-Benz owner’s manual before jump-starting. Use only approved 12-volt starting assistance equipment and the designated connection points. Never allow the clamps to touch each other, keep cables away from moving engine components, and avoid sparks or open flames around the battery. Never jump-start a frozen or visibly damaged battery.

Jump-start connection locations vary depending on the Mercedes-Benz model and year. Some older models use different connection arrangements, while newer vehicles generally provide designated connection points in the engine compartment. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or the model-specific repair guide before connecting jumper cables.

1. Get your jumper cables out. Most owners already have a set of jumper (BOOSTER) cables. If you don’t have jumper cables, you can order them on Amazon. We recommend buying cables with a low gauge rating, which means thicker wire. Here is a list of Best Selling Booster cables on Amazon.
2. Bring the helper car next to your Mercedes-Benz. You can have both cars face each other. If there is enough room, park the cars parallel to each other.
3. Apply the parking brake. Place both vehicles in Park (automatic transmission) or Neutral (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Open the hoods of both cars. If you are having difficulty opening your Mercedes-Benz hood, read our post How to Open a Mercedes-Benz hood.
5. Turn the helper car off. Remove the key from the Mercedes-Benz ignition as well.
6. Locate the battery on the helper car. Connect the jumper cables to the helper car. Be careful not to let the two clamps touch each other.
7. Connect the clamps to the Mercedes-Benz jump-start terminals. Current Mercedes-Benz models are equipped with jump-start terminals. Attach clamps directly to the battery if you don’t have the jump-start terminals.
   1. Connect the POSITIVE clamp to the positive terminal of the helper battery. The positive clamp is generally red. The battery will have a + sign or the letters POS written next to the terminal.
   2. Connect the other POSITIVE clamp to the other end of the booster cables on the Jump Start Terminal of your Mercedes-Benz.
   3. Connect the NEGATIVE clamp to the negative terminal of the helper car.
   4. Connect the NEGATIVE clamp to the ground terminal of your Mercedes-Benz or any part of the engine or frame that is not painted.
      MAKE SURE THE RED CLAMP DOES NOT TOUCH THE CAR FRAME OR THE BLACK CLAMP.
8. Start the helper car. Start the donor vehicle and allow the engine to run at idle speed. Do not unnecessarily rev the engine while providing starting assistance. Follow the specific jump-starting instructions in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
9. Get inside your Mercedes-Benz and start it. If it doesn’t start immediately, let the battery charge for at least 5 minutes, or even longer if possible.
10. If your Mercedes-Benz won’t start, refer to the Troubleshooting FAQ section below.
11. Once the car starts, disconnect the cables. Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cables on both vehicles.

Once it is running, the question worth asking is why it went flat. A battery that dies after sitting a few days is either worn out or something is drawing current while the car sleeps: see tracking down a battery drain. If it simply will not hold a charge anymore, replacing the battery is the fix, and a jump is only getting you home.

Caution: Your Mercedes-Benz’s electrical systems can get damaged, or the control units will trigger under-voltage fault codes if you let the car run while connected to a dead battery.

Note: Jump-starting a car with a fully discharged battery will shorten the life of the battery or damage it.

Hint: For a safer method to jump-start a Mercedes-Benz with a fully discharged battery, see Method 3.

Method 2: Jump-start your car battery with a booster pack/jump starter box.

1. Get a jump box that is powerful enough to turn over a Mercedes-Benz engine. Generally, it’s best to have a jump box with 1,000 peak amps or more. The best jump starter that is very practical and portable and will start your Mercedes-Benz is the NOCO 1000 Amp 12 volt Lithium Jump Starter, shown in the picture below. They also make a 2000 amp portable power bank that will jump-start the car easily but is more expensive.
2. Set your Mercedes-Benz shifter to Park and press the parking brake.
3. Turn the car off. Remove the key from the ignition.
4. Open the hood. If you have difficulty opening your Mercedes-Benz hood, read our post How to Open a Mercedes-Benz hood.
5. Locate the Jump Start Connection Terminals. If you need help, look at the pictures at the beginning of this article.
6. Connect the booster jump box cables to the positive and negative jump start terminals below.
   • Connect the Positive (+) red jump box clamp to your Mercedes-Benz jump start terminal. The jump-start terminal is typically covered with a red plastic cover with a plus sign (+) on top. If you don’t have jump-start connection points, connect to the battery as follows.
   • Connect the black Negative (-) clamp to the negative ground post on the frame. If you can’t find the negative terminal, you could also connect the negative clamp to the vehicle’s metal frame.
   • If your jump box has an ON switch, turn it to ON. Many jump starter boxes don’t have an ON switch.
   • Turn the ignition to position 2, and all dash lights will be on, but do not start the car. Turn off your lights and all other vehicle accessories.
   • MAKE SURE THE RED CLAMP DOES NOT TOUCH THE CAR FRAME OR THE OTHER CLAMPS.
7. Get inside your Mercedes-Benz and start it. If it doesn’t start right away, WAIT 2 MIN and try again. Wiggle the clamps to ensure they are making proper contact at the terminals. Make sure all your lights and accessories are turned off.
8. If your Mercedes-Benz doesn’t start, see the Troubleshooting FAQ section below.
9. Once the car starts, let the jumper box be connected for at least 10 minutes, or more if possible. Disconnect the jumper box. Disconnect the NEGATIVE clamp first.

Method 3: charge the battery instead of jumping it

This is the gentlest option on the car and the one to pick when you are not stranded. A 10-amp charger and a few hours beats a jump if you have the time.
Advantages of using this method:

• Less risk of damaging your car’s electronics.
• Slow charging the battery usually restores the battery to its previous condition with minimal impact on the battery life.
• Control units will not set low voltage fault codes on your Mercedes-Benz control units.

Disadvantage: It will take several hours to charge the battery fully.

How to Start a Mercedes-Benz using a battery charger.

1. Find a 12-volt battery charger designed to slow charge the automotive batteries. The charger needs to provide at least a current of at least 2 AMP up to 12 AMP. We would recommend a charger that monitors the battery and provides efficient charging while avoiding overcharging, such as the Black and Decker Battery 12V 2 Amp Charger, which works on Mercedes-Benz AGM, GEL, and WET batteries. Or if you need a battery charger that will charge the battery faster, take a look at Schumacher SpeedCharge 3/6/12 AMP Charger-Maintainer-Tester, and use the 12 AMP setting. Select a battery charger that is compatible with your battery’s voltage and chemistry. Follow the battery manufacturer’s recommended charging current and the vehicle manufacturer’s charging procedure. Do not assume that the same charging rate is suitable for every Mercedes-Benz battery.
2. Apply the parking brake and turn your car off.
3. Locate the battery on your Mercedes-Benz. Depending on the model, it sits in the engine bay, usually on the passenger side, or under the rear seat, or in the trunk next to the spare tire. On the S-Class and CL, the trunk is the usual place, and that car has its own quirks worth reading first: jump starting a W220 S-Class.
4. Switch the charger off at the wall before you touch a clamp to the battery, and switch it off again before you take the clamps off. A charger that is already powered up makes a spark as the clamp lands, and it makes that spark directly on the battery post, which is the one place you do not want one. Connecting dead and then powering up moves the spark away from the gas.
5. Ventilate the space, and do not charge a trunk or under-seat battery with the lid shut. A battery on charge gives off hydrogen. In an engine bay with the hood up, it disperses on its own. In a closed trunk or under a rear seat cushion, which is where this car may well keep its battery, it collects. Open the trunk or lift the cushion, leave it open for the whole charge, and keep the area free of cigarettes, grinders, and anything else that sparks. Industrial battery safety guidance puts it simply: make sure ventilation is always adequate to dissipate the gases a charging battery forms, and do not allow smoking in the charging area.
6. Set the charger to the right battery type. Mercedes commonly fit AGM batteries, and a charger set to a flooded or wet profile can overcharge an AGM. If your charger has a mode switch, select AGM when the battery is one. If you do not know which you have, the label on the battery says so.
7. You can leave the battery connected to the car while it charges on a modern Mercedes. Disconnecting it loses stored settings and can set faults, so there is usually no reason to pull the terminal just to charge.
8. Connect the battery charger.
   1. Connect the POSITIVE clamp to the battery’s positive (+) terminal. The positive clamp is red. The battery will have a + sign or the letters POS written next to the terminal.
   2. Connect the NEGATIVE clamp to your Mercedes-Benz battery’s negative (-) terminal.
9. Let your car charge. It will take several hours for the battery to fully charge. If you are using the Black and Decker battery charger mentioned above, you will know when the battery is fully charged when the LED light on the charger turns solid green. A fully discharged battery can take up to 24 hours to charge.
10. Remove the battery charger and connect the Negative terminal. Make sure to tighten the bolt and that the clamp is not loose on the battery post.
11. Start your Mercedes-Benz.

This is the safest method to get your Mercedes-Benz started again. It will not shorten the battery life. It is less likely that you will damage the car electronics too.

The only drawback is that you will need several hours, and in some cases, up to two days, to fully charge the battery.

We would recommend that you keep the jumper box connected for at least 15 minutes after the car starts. This will avoid damaging any of the car’s electrical systems by running the vehicle with a fully discharged battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which is the POSITIVE + terminal?

• It will have a RED cover.
• It may have a + symbol next to the battery terminal.
• You could also have the letters POS written near the positive terminal.

How do I know which is the NEGATIVE terminal on my battery?

• It will be marked “NEG”, “Negative”, or with a “-” symbol
• The negative terminal post is shown on a Mercedes-Benz
  

All I get is Click Click Click……

The usual cause is a discharged battery. There is enough left in it to run the interior lights, which is why the car looks alive, but not enough to turn the starter, so all you hear is the starter solenoid clicking. If a jump brings it straight back to life, the battery or whatever flattened it is your real problem, not the starter.

I cannot find the jump-start terminal on my Mercedes-Benz

Most Mercedes-Benz models, the newer ones in particular, have dedicated jump-start connection points in the engine bay, with the positive one under a red cover. If you cannot find them on your car, connect directly to the battery instead.

How long should you crank the engine during a jump start?

Do not crank the engine for more than 5 seconds at a time. Wait 30 seconds and try again. If your car doesn’t start after 3 or 4 tries, you must look at other possible problems.

How to jump-start a Mercedes-Benz with the trunk locked?

You have two options.

• You can remove the metal key from the key fob and unlock the trunk.
• Connect a 12v battery source, such as jumper cables, a jump box, or a car battery charger, to the Jump Box Connection points. This will power up the car, and you will be able to unlock anything.

Where are the jump terminals on an S-Class?

In the W220, the jump-start terminals can be accessed under the passenger footwell. Remove the passenger side carpet and cover.

The newer models have jump-start connection points in the engine compartment.

Where is the battery located on an R350 R500 R Class Mercedes-Benz?

The battery is located under the front passenger seat.

Here are the instructions on how to replace the battery.

VIDEO How To Jump Start A Car Battery

What will I need to jump-start my Benz?

As mentioned in this article, you will need a jumper cable set, use a jump booster pack, or charge the battery using a charger/maintainer. These are the most common items used to jump start a car.

After jump-starting your Mercedes-Benz, some control modules may store low-voltage fault codes. If warning lights remain illuminated, a full-system diagnostic scanner such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro can help retrieve codes from supported control modules and identify systems that require further investigation.

The scanner does not replace battery testing or charging-system diagnostics.

Learn more about the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro.

Warnings!

• Failure to follow proper directions can damage control units and electronics.
• Do not lean over the battery when you connect the clamps if you are connecting directly to the battery.
• Fully discharged batteries should be monitored during charging to prevent overheating if they are disconnected, and the battery should be replaced. Otherwise, there is a high risk the battery could explode.
• Keep flames or sparks away from the battery, and avoid improper connection of jumper cables.

A jump start gets you moving; it does not tell you what went wrong. If your Mercedes-Benz starts after jump-starting, have the battery and charging system tested. If the battery continues to lose charge after being recharged, investigate possible parasitic drains and inspect the battery connections, alternator, and starter circuit as necessary.  If it still would not turn over with a good donor car connected, the problem is further along: the cables, the terminals, the starter, or the ground.

Related articles.

• How to Jumpstart a 2008-2013 Mercedes-Benz C300
• How to jump-start a Mercedes by eHow.com
• Mercedes-Benz E320 Operator’s Manual: Jump Starting
• Step-by-step jump-starting process
• How to Jump Start a Mercedes by Geeksoncars.com