2012 FIAT DUCATO battery

208
KNOWING
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DEMANDING VEHICLE USE
If the vehicle is mostly used in one of the following
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with external
temperatures below zero;
❒frequently idling engine or long distance low speed
driving or in the case of long term inactivity;
the following checks must be carried out more often
than indicated in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks and lever
cleanliness and lubrication;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox,
transmission, pipes and tubes (exhaust – fuel
– brakes), rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
❒visual check on various drive belt conditions;
❒check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter.
PERIODIC CHECKS
Before long journeys, check and, if necessary, restore:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions;
❒operation of lights (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard lights, etc.);
❒operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system,
position and wear of the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades.
To ensure that the vehicle is always efficient and well
maintained, it is advisable to make sure that you carry
out the above operations regularly (approximately
every 1000 km and every 3000 km for checking and
topping up engine oil is advisable).

BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited maintenance” type: under
normal conditions of use the electrolyte does not need
topping up with distilled water.
It does, however, need to be checked periodically at a
Fiat Dealership or by specialist personnel to make sure
it is working correctly.
The battery is located inside the passenger
compartment, in front of the pedals. Remove the
protective cover to gain access to it.
218
KNOWING
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
WARNING
Battery liquid is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames or possible sources of sparks
away from the battery: risk of explosion or fire.
WARNING
Using the battery when the fluid is too
low can damage it irreparably and
generate a risk of explosion.
WARNING
CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a genuine spare part
with the same specifications.
If a battery with different specifications is fitted, the
service intervals given in the “Scheduled Servicing
Programme” in this chapter will no longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions for
maintenance.
Incorrect assembly of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe
damage to your vehicle. Contact a Fiat
Dealership if you want to install accessories
(alarms, radiophone, etc.): they will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you if a higher
capacity battery needs to be installed.
Batteries contain substances that are very
harmful to the environment. It is
advisable to have the battery changed by
a Fiat Dealership, where it will be disposed of
properly and in accordance with the law.

219
KNOWING
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at very low temperatures,
remove the battery and take it to a warm
place to avoid freezing.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last longer,
observe the following instructions:
❒when you park the vehicle, ensure that the doors,
tailgate and bonnet are closed properly to avoid the
ceiling lights remain on;
❒the ceiling lights must be off. The vehicle is however
provided with an automatic system for switching off
internal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard
warning lights, etc...) switched on for a long time
when the engine is not running;
❒before performing any operation on the electrical
system, disconnect the negative battery cable;
❒battery terminals should always be completely
tightened.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50% for
a long time, the battery is damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and starting attitude.The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this can
happen as early as −10°C). Refer to the paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity” in “Starting and driving” if the car is
left parked for a long time.
If, after buying the vehicle, you want to install electric
accessories which require permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) contact a Fiat Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the most suitable
devices from the Lineaccessori Fiat, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, checking whether the
vehicle’s electrical system is capable of withstanding the
load required, or whether it should be integrated with
a more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing energy even
when the ignition key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
IMPORTANT If a tachograph is fitted, if the vehicle is
parked for a long period of 5 days, it is advisable to
disconnect the negative battery terminal to maintain its
charge.
If the vehicle is equipped with a battery disconnection
function (disconnector), see the description of the
procedure in the „Controls“ paragraph in the
„Dashboard and controls“ section.

275
KNOWING
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
– jump starting ....................... 169
– maintenance ........................ 218
– recharging ............................ 202
– replacement ........................ 218
– tips for extending life ........ 219
Body (marking) ......................... 228
Body
– maintenance ........................ 224
– version code ....................... 229
Bonnet ........................................ 104
Brake Assist (emergency
braking assistance) ................. 110
Brakes
– fluid level .............................. 215
– technical specifications ...... 232
Bulb replacement ..................... 181
– bulb types ....................182-183
– external bulb
replacement ............................ 184
– general information ........... 181
– internal bulb replacement .. 193Cab glove compartment
(Capucine) ............................... 91
Carrying children safely .......... 130
Carrying children safely .......... 130
– “Universal Isofix” child
restraint assembly setup ...... 134
– child seats ............................ 130
– positioning of child seats on
seats ..............................133-136
Ceiling lights .............................. 76
– bulb replacement ....... 193-194
Central door
locking/unlocking system ..... 96
Chassis (marking) .................... 229
Checking the levels ................. 209
Checking the levels ................. 209
– brake fluid ............................ 215
– brake fluid ............................ 216
– engine coolant .................... 213
– engine oil ............................. 211ABS SYSTEM ............................ 108
ABS .............................................. 108
Accessories purchased
by the owner .......................... 121
Additional heater ..................... 60
Additional rear heating ........... 66
Additional independent
heater ....................................... 61
Additional rear air
conditioning ............................ 67
Air filter ..................................... 217
Arm rests.................................... 33
Ashtray ........................................ 88
ASR .............................................. 112
Automatic climate control ..... 54
Automatic headlight sensor
(dusk sensor) .......................... 70
Battery
– battery disconnection
function (disconnector) .... 80
INDEX

278
KNOWING
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
– headlight alignment
corrector ............................. 107
Headlights (warning
for cleaning) ............................ 225
Heated rear window ............... 80
Heating and ventilation ...........45
– automatic climate control ... 54
– controls ................................ 46
– front window rapid
defrosting/demisting ...48-51-59
– heated rear window and
external rear view mirrors
defrosting/demisting .... 48-53
– interior air recirculation ... 49
– manual climate control ..... 49
– passenger compartment
air vents ............................... 46
Heavy use of the vehicle
(servicing) ................................ 208
Hill Holder system .................. 111
Identification plates ................. 227
– body paintwork .................. 228
– identification data ............... 227Ignition switch .......................... 12
– steering lock ........................ 13
In an emergency ....................... 169
Installation of electrical/
electronic devices .................. 121
Installing the tow hook ........... 151
– assembly diagrams....... 153-154
Interior fittings ......................... 84
Interiors (maintenance) .......... 225
“Isofix” child seat ..................... 134
Keys ........................................... 5
– Code card ........................... 5
– key with remote control .. 6
– key without remote
control ................................. 8
– replacing the battery ......... 8
Knowing your car .................... 3
Light clusters
– front (bulb replacement) .. 184
– rear (bulb replacement) ... 189
Load (warnings) ....................... 147
Load advice................................ 147Load compartment button .... 108
Load limiters ............................. 127
Lubricants (quantity and
products) .........................263-264
Main beam headlights
– bulb replacement ............... 185
– control ................................. 68
Main beam headlights
– bulb replacement ............... 185
– control ................................. 68
– flashing the headlights ....... 69
Maintenance and care ............. 205
– regular checks ..................... 208
– Scheduled servicing ........... 205
– Scheduled Servicing
Plan ...................................206-207
–Heavy use of the vehicle .... 208
Manual climate control ........... 49
Moving platform........................ 101
MSR (system) ............................ 112
MSR system................................ 112
Multifunction display ............... 18