
175VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
When working on the bat-
tery or near it, always wear
the proper goggles.
WARNING
Running the battery with
low fluid level can damage
the battery beyond repair and
could also cause its explosion.
WARNING
If the vehicle is to stand for
a long time in the cold, re-
move the battery and store it in a
warm place to avoid it freezing.
WARNINGCHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked
satisfactorily through the indicator and
acting according to the colour the in-
dicator shows.
Refer to the table below or to the la-
belB-fig. 15on the battery.USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
When you park the vehicle, ensure
the doors are closed properly. The
ceiling lights must be off.
Do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine is
not running.
IMPORTANTA battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged by
sulphation leading to a reduction in
cranking power and a higher risk of the
battery electrolyte freezing (this may
even occur at –10 °C).
Bright white colour
Dark colour without green
area in the centre
Dark colour with green
area in the centreTop up electrolyte
Low charge level
Electrolyte level
and charge sufficientContact a
Fiat Dealership
Charge the battery
(advisable to contact a Fiat
Dealership)
No action

177VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNIT
When the vehicle is being used nor-
mally, special measures are not nec-
essary.
The following instructions must be
followed very carefully however, if
you work on the electrical system or
in cases where emergency starting is
necessary:
– never disconnect the battery from
the electric system while the engine is
running;
– disconnect the battery from the
electric system if you are recharging it;
– never perform emergency starting
with a battery charger. Always use an
auxiliary battery;
– be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electric sys-
tem. Make sure that the polarity is
correct and that the connection is ef-
ficient;
– do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic units while
the ignition key is at MAR;
– do not check polarity through
sparking;– disconnect the electronic control
units if you are electrically welding the
vehicle body. Remove the units if tem-
peratures exceed 80 °C (special op-
erations on the bodywork, etc.).
IMPORTANTIf the sound system
or vehicle alarm systems are not in-
stalled correctly, they can interfere
with the working of the electronic
control units.
Modifications or repairs to
the electrical system car-
ried out incorrectly and without
bearing the features of the system
in mind can cause malfunctions
with the risk of fire.
WARNING
SPEED LIMITER
On certain version, the injection con-
trol unit is set to limit the vehicle
speed at a max. preset limit.
Speed limits are the following:
– for Minibus versions (M2 homolo-
gation category): 100 km/h;
– for good Transport versions (ve-
hicle dead weight: > 3.5 t) (N2 ho-
mologation category): 90 km/h;
Label (fig.16) with admitted top
speed (90 or 100 km/h according to
versions) is applied on the wind-
screen.
This limit has been established by Eu-
ropean Directive 2002/85/EC, what-
ever violation is therefore punishable
by law.
IMPORTANTWhen the device
comes into action, the speed value
displayed on the instrument panel
could be approx. 10% higher than the
actual one.
fig. 16
F0D0299m

184VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
INTERIORS
From time to time check that water
has not collected under the mats
(from dripping shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause the steel to rust.
CLEANING SEATS
AND FABRICS
Remove dust with a soft brush and
vacuum cleaner. For velvet seats use
a damp brush.
Brush the seats with a damp sponge
with water and neutral soap.PLASTIC PARTS INSIDE
THE VEHICLE
Clean plastic parts with damp cloth
with water and non-abrasive neutral
soap. To remove grease or hard
stains, use special solvent-free prod-
ucts designed not to alter the appear-
ance and colour of components.
IMPORTANTDo not use alcohol
or petrol to clean the instrument
panel.
Never use flammable prod-
ucts (petroleum ether or
petrol) to clean the inside of the ve-
hicle. Electrostatic charges gener-
ated by rubbing while cleaning
could cause fires.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the vehicle. There is the risk
they might explode. Aerosol cans
must never be exposed to a tem-
perature above 50°C; when the
weather starts to get hot the tem-
perature inside the vehicle might go
well beyond that figure.
WARNING

215TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FUEL SUPPLY/IGNITION
Petrol version
Electronic Multipoint sequential
phased integrated electronic injection
and ignition; a single injection system
controls both functions. It processes
both the time the injection lasts (for
fuel metering) and the ignition advance
angle.FUEL SUPPLY
JTD/JTD POWER versions
UNIJET (Common Rail) electronic
control direct injection, turbosuper-
charger with WASTEGATE valve and
intercooler (2.3 JTD, 2.8 JTD and 2.8
JTD POWER versions).SPARK PLUGS
The cleanness and soundness of the
spark plugs are very important for
keeping the engine efficient and pol-
luting emissions down.
The appearance of the spark plug, if
examined by an expert eyes, is a good
way of pinpointing a problem even if it
has nothing to do with the ignition sys-
tem. Therefore, if the engine has prob-
lems, it is important to have the spark
plugs checked at a Fiat Dealership.
The spark plugs must be
changed at the times
specified in the
SERVICE
SCHEDULE
. Only use the type of
plugs indicated: if the heat ratio
is less than required or the life
specified is not guaranteed, prob-
lems can arise.
Modifications or repairs to
the fuel feed system that
are not carried out properly or do
not take the system’s technical
specifications into account can
cause malfunctions leading to the
risk of fire.
WARNING

217TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX
(2.8 JTD versions only)
Automatic gearbox with four speeds
plus reverse with self-adapting control
(i.e. capable of adapting to the driver’s
driving style), which transmits power
continuously and with very fast elec-
tro-hydraulic gear engagement times.SUSPENSIONS
FRONT
Independent wheel, McPherson sus-
pension.
Telescopic dampers with flexible an-
chorage to the body and dust guards
on buffers.
Coil springs offset with shock ab-
sorbers and knock-guard buffers.
Lower wishbone with twin taper
rubber bushing on chassis and ball
head on wheel stud.REAR
Rigid tubular axle type.
Lengthways single blade (two-blades
as optional) leaf spring.
Vertical shock absorbers anchored
above on the body (on the inside of
the wheelhouse) and down on the
axle flange.
Knock-guard buffer fixed to the side
member.
Coupling for brake load proportion-
ing.

247INDEX
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
Bodywork ..................................... 181
- maintenance ............................ 181
- tips for keeping the body
in good conditions ................. 182
- versions .................................... 187
- warranty ................................... 182
Bodywork paint identification
plate ............................................. 186
Bodywork versions ..................... 187
Bonnet ........................................... 84
Bottle holder ................................ 74
Brake fluid level ........................... 172
Brake light replacement ............. 146
Brakes
- handbrake ......................... 108-216
- service and
emergency brake ................... 216
Bulb replacement ........................ 141
Bulb types ..................................... 142
Bump starting ............................... 137Capacities ................................... 239
Ceiling light .................................... 71
Cellular phone set-up ................ 100
Central door locking system .... 83
Changing a wheel ........................ 137
Cheap running that respects
the environment ....................... 127
Checking fluid levels ................... 167
Child restraint systems .............. 22
Cigar lighter ................................. 77
Cleaning seats and fabrics ......... 184
Cleaning the plastic parts .......... 184
Climate control system ............. 57
Clutch ............................................ 216
Controls ........................................ 71
Consumption
- engine oil .................................. 170
- fuel ............................................. 243
Coolant temperature gauge ..... 30ABS .............................................. 88
Additional heater ........................ 58
Adjusting the headlight beam ... 86
Airbags (front and side) ............. 90
Air cleaner .................................... 173
Air vents ........................................ 54
Annual inspection schedule ...... 165
Ashtray .......................................... 77
ASR system ................................... 96
At the filling station .................... 102
Automatic electronic gearbox .. 110
Battery ........................................ 174
- battery cut out ....................... 73
- checking the charge ............... 175
- jump starting .................... 136-157
- recharging ................................ 157
- replacement ............................ 174
- useful advice ............................ 175

248INDEX
Cruise Control ............................ 68
Current socket ............................ 76
Dashboard ................................. 5
Demisting ...................................... 56
Diesel fuel filter ........................... 173
Differential .................................... 216
Digital clock .................................. 32
Dimensions ........................... 222-224
Dipped beam headlights ............ 65
- bulb replacement ................... 143
Direction indicators ................... 66
- front bulb replacement ......... 145
- rear bulb replacement .......... 146
- side bulb replacement ........... 145
Doors ............................................ 79
- 270° opening ........................... 82
- central door locking .............. 83
- driver’s cab doors .................. 79
- rear door ................................. 81
- remote control ....................... 9- side sliding door ..................... 80
- window regulators ................ 83
Driving style affecting fuel
consumption .............................. 124
Electric windows ....................... 83
Electronic alarm .......................... 11
Electronic automatic gearbox .. 110
Electronic control units ............. 177
- speed limiter ........................... 177
Emergency starting .............. 107-135
Emission control devices ........... 128
Engine ............................................ 214
- starting diesel engines ........... 106
- starting petrol engines .......... 105
- stopping the engine ............... 108
- supply/ignition ......................... 215
- warming up the engine ......... 107
Engine/bodywork codes ............ 187
Engine compartment .................. 183
Engine coolant gauge .................. 30
Engine coolant level .................... 170Engine marking ............................ 185
Engine oil ....................................... 169
- consumption ........................... 170
Engine oil level ............................. 169
Engine oil level gauge ................. 32
EOBD system .............................. 95
Fiat Code (system) ................... 7
First aid kit .................................... 161
Flashing the headlights ............... 66
Fluids and lubricants ................... 241
Front/rear ceiling light
replacement ............................... 148
Front fog light replacement ...... 145
Fuel cut-off switch ...................... 72
Fuel gauge ..................................... 31
Fuses (replacement) ................... 149
Getting to know
your vehicle............................ 5
Getting the best out of
your vehicle............................ 105