90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
To exploit the ABS system to the full
in the event of necessity, you should
take heed of the following advice:
Braking while cornering always re-
quires extreme care even when using
ABS.
The most important advice to follow
is this The ABS exploits the
road hold available as
much as possible but can-
not increase it. You should always
drive carefully on slippery sur-
faces and avoid any unnecessary
risks.
If the ABS system cuts in
it is a sign that the grip
between the tyre and the
road surface has reached the lim-
it: you must slow down to match
the speed to the road grip avail-
able.
If there is a fault, the in-
strument panel warning
light >will come on. At
this point, reduce speed and go to
a Fiat Dealership to have your ve-
hicle checked and put right im-
mediately.
When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not re-
move your foot, but keep it
pressed. In doing so you will stop
in the shortest amount of space
possible under the current road
conditions.
If you follow these tips you will be
able to brake better in any situation.
IMPORTANTVehicles fitted with
may only be fitted with wheel rims,
tyres and brake pads of the make and
model approved by the vehicle man-
ufacturer.
The system is completed with an
EBD electronic brake force distribu-
tor which increases the brake system
performance and employs the ABS
control unit and sensors.
The vehicle is fitted with
an electronic braking de-
vice (EBD). The >and
xwarning light will come on at
the same time when the engine
is running to indicate that there
is an EBD system failure. In this
case violent braking may be ac-
companied by early rear wheel
locking with the possibility of
skidding. Drive the vehicle ex-
tremely carefully to the nearest
Fiat Dealership to have the sys-
tem checked.
001-105 Doblo GB 16-12-2008 14:22 Pagina 90
91GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The cushion immediately inflates,
placing itself as a protection between
the body of the front occupants and
the structure that could cause injuries.
Immediately after, the cushion deflates.
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) is not a replacement of but
complementary to the use of belts,
which should always be worn, as spec-
ified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the airbag is reduced.
Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:
– in collisions against highly de-
formable objects not affecting the ve-
hicle front surface (e.g. bumper colli-
sion against guard rail); If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Fi-
at Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS.FRONT AND SIDE
AIRBAGS
The vehicle can be fitted with front
air bags for the driver and passenger
and with side bags.
FRONT AIRBAGS
Front airbags (driver and passenger)
have been designed to protect the oc-
cupants in the event of head-on crash-
es of medium-high severity, by plac-
ing the cushion between the occupant
and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front airbags are designed to protect
vehicle’s occupants in front crashes
and therefore non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
In case of crash, an electronic con-
trol unit, when required, triggers the
inflation of the cushion according to
the severity of the collision. Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system only. In this
case, the braking system is still ef-
ficient, though without the anti-
locking device. Under these con-
ditions, performance of the EBD
system may be reduced. Also in
this case, you are advised to go
immediately to the nearest Fiat
Dealership, driving in such a way
to avoid sharp braking to have
the system checked.
001-105 Doblo GB 16-12-2008 14:22 Pagina 91
106DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE
STARTING3)Press the clutch pedal fully down,
without pressing the accelerator.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVV
and let it go the moment the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOPbefore trying to start the
engine again.
If the warning lights ¢(Y) and U
stay on when the ignition key is at
MAR, turn the key to STOPand
then to MARagain; if the warning light
stays on, try with the other keys pro-
vided.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, perform the emergency start-up
procedure (see section “In an emer-
gency”) and go to a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at MARwhen the engine is
off.HOW TO START DIESEL
VERSIONS
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Turn the ignition key to MAR. In-
strument panel warning lights U, m
and ¢(Y) will come on.
4)Wait for warning lights Uand ¢
(Y) to turn off.
5) Wait for the instrument panel
warning light mto go out. The hot-
ter the engine is, the quicker this will
happen.
6)Press the clutch pedal down to
the floor without touching the accel-
erator.
7) Turn the key to AVVimmedi-
ately after the mwarning light goes
out. If you wait to long, you will lose
the benefit of the work done by the
glow plugs.
D D
R R
I I
V V
I I
N N
G G
Y Y
O O
U U
R R
V V
E E
H H
I I
C C
L L
E E
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage or
other closed area. The
engine consumes oxygen and
gives off carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other poisonous
fumes.
Do not touch the high
voltage cables (spark plug
leads) when the engine is
running.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.
106-118 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 106
107DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IS HAS JUST
STARTED (petrol and diesel
versions)
– Begin to move forward slowly let-
ting the engine turn at medium revs.
Do not accelerate abruptly.
– Do not push the engine to its lim-
it for the first few kilometres. You are
recommended to wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by the
ignition key (instrument panel warning
light ¢(Y) on) the emergency start-
up can be performed by using the
CODE card code.
See section “In an emergency”. The warning light m
will flash (for approxi-
mately 60 seconds) at
start-up or during prolonged
cranking to signal a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You
can use the vehicle as usual if the
engine starts but you should con-
tact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible to have problem seen to.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOPbefore trying to start the
engine again.
If with key at MARwarning light ¢
(Y) stays on, turn the key to STOP
and then to MARagain; if the warn-
ing light stays on, try with the other
keys provided.
If you still cannot start the engine, get
in touch with Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at MARwhen the engine is
off.Catalysed vehicles must
not be bump started
(pushed, towed or coast-
ed downhill) as this could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic ex-
haust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
Remember that until
the engine has started the
brake booster and hy-
draulic power steering systems
will not work and a greater effort
will therefore be required to de-
press the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
106-118 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 107
108DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
you should allow the engine to “catch
its breath” before turning it off by let-
ting it idle to allow the temperature in
the engine compartment to fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage a gear (1st gear
or reverse, according to whether the
vehicle is facing up or downhill) and
leave the wheels turned. If the vehi-
cle is left on a steep slope, wedges or
a rock should be used to lock the
wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARto prevent draining the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the vehicle.HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located be-
tween the two front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards un-
til the vehicle cannot be moved. Four
or five clicks are generally enough
when the vehicle is on level ground
while nine or ten may be required if
the vehicle is on a steep slope or laden.
IMPORTANTIf this is not the
case, take the vehicle to a Fiat Deal-
ership to have the handbrake adjust-
ed.
Instrument panel warning light x
will come on when the handbrake
lever is pulled up and the ignition key
is at MAR.
To release the handbrake:
1)Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A-fig.1.
2)Keep the button pressed in and
lower the lever. Warning light xwill
go out.
3)Press the brake pedal when car-
rying out this operation to prevent the
vehicle moving accidentally. STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the key to STOPwhile the
engine is idling.
A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
Never leave children un-
supervised in the vehicle.
A
fig. 1
F0A0034b
106-118 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 108
114DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
The tow hitch must comply with the
current regulation, with reference to
Directive 94/20/EC and amendments.
Install a tow hitch which is suitable
for the towing capacity of the vehicle.
Use a unified coupling for the elec-
trical connections. The coupling is gen-
erally fitted on a specific mount fas-
tened to the tow hitch.
For electrical connection, a 7 or 13
pole 12VDC coupling must be used
(CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN standards).
Follow the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the vehicle and/or
the tow hitch.
Use the specific trailer light fusebox
for electrical connections.
An electric brake should be supplied
directly by the battery through a cable
with a cross section of no less than 2.5
mm
2.In addition to the electrical connec-
tion, only the lead for powering an
electric brake and the lead to power
a light inside the trailer not exceed-
ing 15W may be connected to the ve-
hicle’s electrical system.
For connections use the preset con-
trol unit with battery cable no less
than 2,5 mm
2.
FITTING DIAGRAM
The trailer tow hitch is to be fixed in
the points indicated (see diagram fig.
4).
The plate 1must have a minimum
thickness of 6 mm. The fastening
points 2will be equipped with shims
’16 x 2 mm. The tow hitch structure
is fastened in the points shown with Ø
by means of six M8 screws and four
M10 screws.
Fasten the tow hitch to the body and
trim the bumper with the frame pro-
vided with the assembly kit.
After fitting the tow hitch, the emp-
ty vehicle weight will increase by ap-
proximately 15.5 kg. The ABS system will not
control the trailer braking
system. Great care
should therefore be taken when
driving on slippery road surfaces.
Under no circumstances
modify the vehicle’s brak-
ing system for trailer
braking control. The trailer’s
braking system must be com-
pletely independent of the vehi-
cle’s hydraulic system.
TOW HITCH INSTALLATION
The towing device should be fas-
tened to the body by specialised per-
sonnel according to any additional
and/or integrative information supplied
by the Manufacturer of the device.
106-118 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 114
118DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
The following precautions should be
taken if the vehicle will not be used for
several months:
– Park the vehicle in covered, dry and
if possible well-ventilated premises.
– Engage a gear.
– Make sure the handbrake is not en-
gaged.
– Remove the cables from the bat-
tery terminals (first remove the cable
to the negative terminal), and check
the battery charge. If the vehicle is to
be stored for long periods the charge
of the battery should be checked
every month and recharged if it falls
below 12.5V.IMPORTANT Where relevant,
switch off the electronic alarm with the
remote control.
– Clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax.
– Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds readi-
ly available.
– Sprinkle talcum powder on the
rubber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the glass.
– Slightly open the windows.– Cover the vehicle with a cloth or
perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
sheets of non-perforated plastic as
they do not allow moisture on the ve-
hicle body to evaporate.
– Inflate the tyres to 0.5 bar above
the normal specified pressure and
check it at intervals.
– Do not drain the engine cooling
system.
VEHICLE STORAGE
106-118 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 118
121IN AN EMERGENCY
BUMP STARTING IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Wheel changing and correct use of
the jack and spare wheel call for some
precautions as listed below. Catalysed vehicles must
not be bump started
(pushed, towed or coast-
ed down hill) as this could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic ex-
haust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
Remember that until
the engine has started the
brake booster and hy-
draulic power steering systems
will not work and a greater effort
will therefore be required to de-
press the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
Alert other drivers that
the vehicle is stationary in
compliance with local
regulations: hazard warning
lights, warning triangle etc.
Passengers on board should
leave the vehicle, especially if it is
heavily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming traffic
while the wheel is being changed.
If the wheel is being changed on
a steep or badly surfaced road,
place wedges or other suitable
material under the wheels to
stop the vehicle.
The spare wheel is vehicle-spe-
cific. Never use the wheel on oth-
er models. Never fit other mod-
el spare wheels on your vehicle.
Do not use the jack for
loads over the value indi-
cated on the plate.
The jack should only be used to
change a wheel on the vehicle for
which it was designed. It should
not be put to other uses or em-
ployed to raise other models of
vehicle. Under no circumstances
should it be used when carrying
out repairs under the vehicle.
An incorrectly positioned jack
may cause the vehicle to fall.
119-148 Doblo GB 9-05-2008 12:09 Pagina 121