Page 167 of 258

166VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the vehicle is often used in dusty
or extremely polluted environments,
you should change the filter element
more frequently. It should be changed
especially if the amount of air intro-
duced into the passenger compart-
ment has decreased.
IMPORTANT - Diesel filter
Refuelling with diesel fuel not com-
plying with the grade of purity pre-
scribed by European Specification
EN590 might make it necessary to re-
place the filter more frequently than
indicated in the Service Schedule.
IMPORTANT - Battery
The charge in your battery should be
checked, where possible at the start
of the winter, to limit the risk of the
battery electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out
more frequently if the vehicle is mainly
used for short trips or if it is fitted
with accessories that permanently
take in electricity even when the igni-
tion key is removed, especially in the
case of after market accessories.You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the Service Schedule if
the vehicle is used in hot climates or
particularly demanding conditions.
IMPORTANTAs concerns Camp-
ing Car versions, due to high electric
absorption, observe indications rele-
vant to battery contained in para-
graphs "Vehicle storage" (section
"Getting the best out of your vehicle")
and "Battery – Checking the charge"
(section "Vehicle maintenance").
Maintenance of your ve-
hicle should be entrusted
to a Fiat Dealership. For
ordinary routine maintenance
operations which you are able to
carry out yourself, ensure that
you have the necessary tools and
original Fiat spare parts and flu-
ids available. Do not carry out
servicing operations if you have
no experience.IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more fre-
quently than shown in the Service
Schedule if the vehicle is normally dri-
ven in one of the following particular-
ly severe conditions:
– towing a trailer
– on dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km)
repeated and with external tempera-
tures below zero.
– frequently idling engines or long
distance low speed driving (e. g. taxis
or door-to-door deliveries) or in case
of a long term inactivity replace engine
oil more frequently than required on
Scheduled Maintenance Plan.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Replace the air cleaner more fre-
quently if the vehicle is used on dusty
roads.
If you are in doubt about how often
the engine oil or the air cleaner should
be changed in relation to how you use
the vehicle, contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship.
Page 168 of 258
167VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
1. Engine oil - 2. Battery - 3. Brake fluid -
4. Windscreen washer fluid - 5. Engine
coolant - 6.Power steering fluid
F0D0103m
fig. 2 - 2.0 JTD versions
F0D0102m
fig. 1 - Petrol engine versions
CHECKING
FLUID LEVELS
Be careful not to mix up
the various types of fluids
when you are topping up:
they are mutually incompatible
and could damage the vehicle.
Do not smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment: the presence of flammable
gas and vapour could cause a fire.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and other
loose articles of clothing
could easily get caught up in mov-
ing parts. This can be extremely
dangerous for the wearer.
WARNING
Page 170 of 258

169VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent specifications from
the oil already in the en-
gine.
ENGINE OIL
Fig. 5:2.0 versions
Fig. 6:2.0 JTD versions
Fig. 7:2.3 JTD versions
Fig. 8: 2.8 JTD - 2.8 JTD POWER
versions
Check engine oil with the vehicle on
level ground and while the engine is
still warm (approximately 10 minutes
after stopping the engine). The oil
level should be included between the
MINand MAXreference lines on
the dipstick.
The gap between MINand MAX
reference lines corresponds to ap-
proximately 2 litres oil.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAXline.If the oil level is near or even below
the MINline, pour in oil through the
filler hole until it reaches the MAX
line.
fig. 5
F0D0063m
fig. 6
F0D0064m
fig. 7
F0D0211m
fig. 8
F0D0183m
Be very careful under the
bonnet: you risk burning
yourself. Remember that when the
engine is hot, the fan can start up
and cause injuries.
WARNINGIMPORTANT After topping up or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
for a few seconds and wait a few min-
utes after stopping it before you check
the level.
Page 171 of 258

170VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Engine oil consumption
Maximum engine oil consumption is
approx. 450 grams every 1000 Km.
During the beginning of the vehicle’s
life the engine is tuning in. Engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5,000 - 6,000
km.
IMPORTANTEngine oil consump-
tion depends on the conditions the ve-
hicle is being used in.ENGINE COOLANT
Check coolant level when the engine
is cold. The level should be included
between the MIN and MAXrefer-
ence lines on the reservoir.
If the level is low, loosen the expan-
sion tank cap A-fig. 9and top up
slowly through the filler with the flu-
id specified in “Fluids and lubricants”
table in section “Technical Specifica-tions”, until the level approaches the
MAX line; contact Fiat Dealership
for this operation.
Coolant mixture gives freeze pro-
tection to – 40°C.
Used engine oil and re-
placed oil filters contain
substances which can
harm the environment. We rec-
ommend you have the vehicle
seen at a Fiat Dealership for the
oil and filter change. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.
fig. 9
F0D0065m
The cooling system is pres-
surised. If necessary, re-
place the cap with a genuine spare
part to avoid compromising the sys-
tem efficiency.
WARNING
Do not remove the reservoir
cap when the engine is hot:
you risk scalding yourself.
WARNING
Top up only with the
same fluid contained in
the cooling circuit.
PARAFLU UP (red) cannot be
mixed with PARAFLU 11 (blue)
or with other fluids. Should this
take place, donot start the engine
and contact Fiat Dealership.
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171VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN WASHER
FLUID
To add fluid, remove cap A-fig. 10
from the reservoir and slowly pour in
a mixture of water and TUTELA
PROFESSIONAL SC35fluid in the
following concentrations:
– 30% ofTUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC35and 70% of water in
summer.
– 50% ofTUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC35and 50% of water in
winter.
If the temperature falls below –20°C,
useTUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35undiluted.
POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the oil level when the engine
is cold. It should be slightly under the
reference line on the reservoir.
When the oil is hot, the level can ex-
ceed the reference line.
When topping up, remove the reser-
voir cap A-fig. 11 and make sure that
the oil has the same specifications as
the oil in the system.Oil consumption is ex-
tremely low. If the oil
level needs topping up
again after a short period of
time, have the system checked
for leakage at a Fiat Dealership.
fig. 10
F0D0068m
fig. 11
F0D0066m
Do not let the power steer-
ing fluid come into contact
with hot engine parts. It catches fire
very easily.
WARNINGSome windscreen washer
additives on the market are
flammable. The engine compart-
ment contains hot parts which
could ignite the fluid in the event of
contact.
WARNING
Do not travel with the wind-
screen washer reservoir
empty. The windscreen washer is
fundamental for improving visibility.
WARNING
Page 173 of 258

172VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
BRAKE FLUID
Loosen plug A-fig. 12and check
that the level of the fluid in the reser-
voir is at the maximum
Check at regular intervals that the
level of the fluid in the reservoir is at
the maximum.
Use only DOT 4 fluid only for top-
ping up. We recommend TUTELA
TOP 4that the braking system was
originally filled with.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid is hy-
groscopic (meaning it absorbs humid-
ity). This is why the fluid should be
changed more frequently than shown
in the Service Schedule if the vehicle
is mainly driven in areas with a high
percentage of humidity in the air. Make sure that the
highly corrosive brake
fluid does not drip onto
the paintwork. If it does, wash it
off immediately with water.
fig. 12
F0D0067m
The symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
brake fluid distinguishing it from
mineral fluid. Using mineral type
fluid would damage the special rub-
ber braking system gaskets beyond
repair.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous
and very corrosive. In the
event of accidental contact, wash
the affected part with water and
mild soap and rinse. If the fluid is
swallowed, call a doctor immedi-
ately.
WARNING
Page 175 of 258

174VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with
a genuine spare part presenting the
same specifications. If a battery with
different specifications is fitted, the fre-
quencies shown in the “Service Sched-
ule” will no longer be valid. Refer to
the instructions provided by the bat-
tery manufacturer.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have the
battery changed at a Fiat Dealer-
ship. It is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries in an
environmentally-friendly way that
complies with the law.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the vehicle. If you want
to add accessories after buying
the vehicle antitheft system, ra-
dio, free-hand phone kit, etc.) vis-
it a Fiat Dealership. They can sug-
gest the most suitable acces-
sories to get and check whether
the electric system can support
the required load or whether a
higher capacity battery is re-
quired.
The liquid in the battery is
poisonous and corrosive.
Do not let it touch the skin or eyes.
Do not bring naked flames or pos-
sible sources or sparks near the bat-
tery: risk of fire and explosion.
WARNING
fig. 15
F0D0244m
BATTERY
Fiat Ducato battery is of the “Limit-
ed maintenance” and is fitted with in-
dicator A-fig. 15to check the elec-
trolyte level and the charge.
Under normal conditions of use it
does not require topping up with dis-
tilled water. However, check it peri-
odically through the control optical in-
dicator that is placed on the battery
cover and must be dark with a cen-
tral green area.
If the indicator is a bright colour, or
dark without the green central area,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
Page 176 of 258

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