Jump starting my Honda Odyssey using my diesel
 

Leaving aside the possibility of just allowing our Honda Odyssey to sit forever (I'm sure that's what some MB enthusiasts would recommend)....if I want to jump start the Odyssey using the Benz, can I use a regular set of jumper cables (since it's the gasser drawing the current, not the diesel), or do I need a heavy duty set? Also, does such an arrangement pose any risk to the glow system, etc...?

Thanks.

if you do it, jump it right, you should be fine

No need for HD cables.

Start the Mercedes first and wait until any post-glow is complete before attaching the cables (cables go on the 'donor' car first).

If the Honda has been sitting, make sure the battery isn't dry and that the ignition is off when you hook up the cables to it. Negative cable goes onto the recipient car last.

If you're still concerned, disconnect the positive cable from the MB (engine off) and use only the battery and jumper cables to start the Odyssey.

Sixto
87 300D

Make sure the Odyssey also allows jump starts, read the manual. Some cars do not recommend jump starts due to lots of electronics that could get fried.

I don't know if you would want to risk electronics getting fried, so you should buy and emergency car starter and put it in your car (or the van). They aren't too much and they work pretty nicely

Just unhook Battery cables from Benz and jump the Honda from the battery alone. It's got plenty of juice to crank the Honda and still start the Benz once reconnected. That is assuming you are not gonna crank for several minutes of course.

Agreed. The MB diesel batteries could probably jump 4 Honda's at once and then still fire up the diesel. :D