150VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
thousands of kilometres
Check tyre conditions / wear and adjust pressure, if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard lights, boot light, passenger's compartment lights,
glove compartment light, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation, adjust nozzles
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
Check front disk brake pad conditions and wear
Check rear drum brake lining conditions and wear
Inspect conditions of: underbody protection, piping (exhaust -
fuel feed and brakes), rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushings, etc.),
fuel feed and braking system hosing
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever
cleanness and lubrication
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Replace accessory drive belts
Check/adjust tappet clearance (1.4 8V and 1.9 Multijet versions)
Check and adjust handbrake lever stroke
Check exhaust gas/smokiness (diesel versions)
Check anti-evaporation system
Replace fuel filter (Multijet versions)
SERVICE SCHEDULE
The scheduled service must be carried out every 20,000 km.
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
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149-173 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:10 Pagina 150
153VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the vehicle
be under one of the following special-
ly heavy conditions:
– towing a trailer
– on dirty roads
– for short, repeated trips (less than
7-8 km) with outside temperature be-
low 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 en-
gine oil more frequently than required
on Service schedule
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
If the vehicle is used on dusty roads
change the air cleaner more frequently
than the indications in the Service
schedule. If in doubt as to how often
the engine oil and air cleaner should
be changed according to how you use
the vehicle, contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship.IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the vehicle is used frequently in
dusty or heavily polluted environ-
ments it is advisable to replace the fil-
tering element more frequently; in
particular it should be replaced if a re-
duction of the amount of air admitted
to the passenger compartment is not-
ed.
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 frequent-
ly if the vehicle is mainly used for short
trips or if it is fitted with accessories
that permanently take in electricity
even when the ignition key is re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the service schedule in
this chapter if the vehicle is used in hot
climates or particularly demanding
conditions.
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.
149-173 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:10 Pagina 153
161VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
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 per-
centage of humidity in the air.
fig. 15
F0A0127b
Brake fluid is poisonous
and very corrosive. In the
event of accidental con-
tact, wash the effected part with
water and mild soap and rinse. If
the fluid is swallowed, call a doc-
tor immediately.The symbol πon the
container indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid distin-
guishing it from mineral fluid. Us-
ing mineral type fluid would dam-
age the special rubber braking
system gaskets beyond repair.POLLEN FILTER
The pollen filter is located under the
dashboard near the central dashboard
unit on passenger side.
If the vehicle is often used in dusty or
extremely polluted environments, you
should change the filter element more
frequently than shown in the service
schedule. It should be changed espe-
cially if the amount of air introduced
into the passenger compartment is in-
troduced.
149-173 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:10 Pagina 161
164VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the vehicle.
If after buying the vehicle, you
want to install electric acces-
sories which require permanent
electric supply (alarm, free-hand
phone kit, etc.) contact Fiat Deal-
ership whose qualified personnel,
in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices, will evalu-
ate the overall electric absorp-
tion, checking whether the vehi-
cle electric system is capable of
withstanding the load required,
or whether it should be integrat-
ed with a more powerful battery.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at a Fiat
Dealership. It is properly
equipped for disposing of used
batteries in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.The liquid in the battery
is poisonous and corro-
sive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring naked
flames or possible sources of
sparks near the battery: risk of
fire and explosion.CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with
a genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifica-
tions is fitted, the service intervals giv-
en in the “Service schedule” in this
section will no longer be valid. Refer
therefore to the instructions provid-
ed by the battery manufacturer.
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery be-
yond repair and could also cause
its explosion.
149-173 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:10 Pagina 164
168VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Avoid overloading your vehicle: this
can seriously damage wheels and tyres.
If you get a flat tyre, stop immediately
and change it so as not to damage the
tyre, the wheel, the suspension and
the steering.
Tyres age even if they are not used
very much. Cracking of the tread rub-
ber and the side walls are a sign of this
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have
been fitted for more than six years
they should be examined by an expert
who can judge whether they are still
fit for use. Remember to check the
spare tyre particularly carefully too.
If a replacement is necessary, always
use new tyres and avoid using ones the
origin of which you are not certain
about.
The Fiat Doblò fits tubeless tyres.
Under no circumstances use an inner
tube with these tyres.If you replace a tyre it is a good idea
to change the inflation valve, too.
To ensure the front and rear tyres all
wear evenly, you are advised to change
the tyres over every 10-15 thousand
kilometres keeping them on the same
side of the vehicle so as not to reverse
the direction of rotation.
Do not change the tyres
over in criss-cross fashion
by moving a tyre from the
left hand side of the vehicle to the
right and vice versa.RUBBER TUBING
Follow the “Service Schedule” to the
letter as concerns braking and fuel line
rubber tubing. Ozone, high tempera-
tures and long absence of fluid in the
system can in fact cause the hardening
and cracking of the pipes with possi-
ble loss of fluid. A careful check is
therefore essential.
149-173 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:10 Pagina 168
Modifications or repairs
to the fuel system that
are not carried out prop-
erly or do not take the system
technical specifications into ac-
count can cause malfunctions
leading to the risk of fire. FUEL SUPPLY/IGNITION
Petrol versions
Electronic Multipoint sequential
phased injection integrated with igni-
tion, returnless system.FUEL FEED/IGNITION
Multijet versions
“Common Rail” electronic control
direct injection, turbo and intercool-
er.
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.
181TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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182TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
TRANSMISSION
CLUTCH
Hydraulic, self-adjusting external
control.
GEARBOX
Five forward gears and reverse with
synchromesh for front gear engage-
ment.
Cyclical gear reduction and differen-
tial assembly incorporated in the gear-
box.
Drive transmission to the front
wheels by means of drive shafts con-
nected to the differential assembly and
the wheels with CV joints.
BRAKES
SERVICE AND
EMERGENCY BRAKES
Front:
– disc, floating shoe, self-ventilated.
Rear:
– drum, self-centring callipers.
Crossed hydraulic circuit control.
Vacuum brake booster.
ABS system with four sensors and
EBD.
Automatic take-up of friction liner
wear.
Lacking the ABS, there is the brake
force distributor that acts on rear
brake circuit according to load on rear
axle
HANDBRAKE
Controlled by a lever, it works me-
chanically on the rear brake shoes.
SUSPENSIONS
FRONT
Independent wheel, McPherson sus-
pension with steel wishbones an-
chored to an auxiliary crossmember.
Coil springs and sway bar.
Double acting telescopic hydraulic
shock absorbers.
REAR
Stiff axle with wishbones.
Double acting telescopic hydraulic
shock absorbers.
Sway bar in Fiat Doblò Passengers
Transport versions.
174-211 Doblo GB 16-12-2008 14:26 Pagina 182
205TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS205
PRACTICAL TIPS TO
REDUCE CONSUMPTION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
Vehicle conditions
1. Have checks and adjustments
carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Service Plan”.
2. Check the tyre pressure at inter-
vals of not more than 4 weeks (see
“Tyre pressure”). Too low tyre pres-
sure increases consumption as the
rolling resistance increases. In these
conditions the tyres wear faster and
performance deteriorates.
3. Use winter tyresonly in the sea-
sons where dictated by the climatic
conditions. Winter tyres not only in-
crease consumption but also tyre
noise.4. Do not travel in heavy load con-
ditions(vehicle overloaded): The
weight of the vehicle (especially when
driving in town) and its trim greatly af-
fect fuel consumption and stability.
5. Remove roof racks or ski racks
after use. These accessories reduce
the aerodynamics of the vehicle and
have a negative effect on fuel con-
sumption.
6. Ideally use a trailerto transport
particularly bulky objects.
7. It is preferable to use the air vents:
driving with the window open has a
negative effect on the aerodynamics of
the vehicle.
8. Use the electrical devices only for
the time strictly necessary. The rear
heated window, additional headlights,
windscreen wipers and heater fan
need a considerable amount of ener-
gy, consequently increasing fuel con-
sumption (up to 25% more in the ur-
ban cycle).9. Using the air-conditioning in-
creases consumption (up to 30% more
on average): use the air vents when
the outside temperature permits.
Driving style
1. After starting the engineit is
advisable to set off immediately and
slowly avoiding revving up the engine.
Do not warm up the engine with the
vehicle stationary either at idle or at
high speed: in these conditions the en-
gine in fact warms up more slowly, in-
creasing consumption, emissions and
wear of the mechanical devices.
2. Avoid revving upwhen starting
at traffic lights or before turning off the
engine. This action, like double-de-
clutching, is unnecessary and causes in-
creased fuel consumption and pollu-
tion.
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