towing FIAT DOBLO COMBI 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

135
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake is located between the two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the handbrake and en-
sure that the vehicle does not move.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a long drive, you should allow the en-
gine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the engine compartment
to fall.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. This could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
The vehicle should be secured after sev-
eral clicks of the lever. If it is not, contact
a FIAT Dealership to have it adjusted.
WARNING
When the handbrake is on and the ignition key is at MAR,
the instrument panel warning light
xwill come on.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❒lift the lever slightly and press release button A-fig. 126;
❒hold button A down and lower the lever. The xwarn-
ing light on the instrument panel will go out.
Depress the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the vehicle from moving accidentally.

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TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The vehicle must be provided with a type-approved tow
hitch and adequate electrical system to tow trailers. In-
stallation must be performed by specialised personnel who
will issue the required papers for travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-view mirrors in
accordance with the highway code of the country in which
you are travelling.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills are hard-
er to climb, braking distances increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than con-
stantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the vehicle tow hitch will re-
duce the loading capacity of the vehicle by the same
amount.
Consider the weight at full load, including accessories and
luggage, to make sure you do not exceed the maximum
towable weight (shown in the log book).
Respect each country’s speed limits for vehicles towing
trailers. In all cases, the top speed must not exceed
80 km/h. CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-ups prevent the
engine from reaching its optimum running temperature.
Consequently, both consumption (from +15 to +30% on
the urban cycle) and emissions will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic, for instance when travelling in a queue with
frequent use of low gears or in cities with lots of traffic
lights, causes fairly high fuel consumption. Mountain roads
and uneven surfaces also have a negative effect on con-
sumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. at level crossings) the en-
gine should be switched off.

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OVERHEATED ENGINE COOLANT
(red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
warning light turns on but should go off after a few
seconds.
The warning light turns on when the engine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as follows:
❒when driving normally: stop the vehicle, switch off the
engine and check that the water level in the reservoir
is not below the MIN mark. If it is not, wait for a few
minutes for the engine to cool down then slowly and
carefully open the cap, top up with coolant and check
that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks. Al-
so visually check for leaks. Go to a Fiat Dealership if
the warning light comes on again when the engine is
next started.
❒if the vehicle is used under demanding conditions (e.g.
towing trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow down and,
if the light stays on, stop the vehicle. Stop for two or
three minutes with the engine running and slightly ac-
celerated to assist better coolant circulation. Then
switch the engine off. Check the correct fluid level as
described previously.
ç
IMPORTANT On demanding routes, it is advisable to keep
the engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes
before switching it off.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
BATTERY CHARGE LOW (red)
The warning light comes on when the ignition
key is turned to MAR, but it should go out as
soon as the engine has started (with the engine run-
ning at idle speed a brief delay before going out is accept-
able).
If the warning light stays on, contact a Fiat Dealership im-
mediately.
w

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Strictly avoid using a rapid battery charg-
er for jump starting: this could damage the
system electronics and the ignition and en-
gine supply control units.
This procedure must be performed by ex-
perts because incorrect actions may cause
considerable electrical discharge. Furthermore,
battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive: avoid con-
tact with skin and eyes. Keep naked flames and
lit cigarettes away from the battery. Do not cre-
ate sparks.
WARNING
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. This could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake booster and the
power steering system are not active until the engine is
started, so you will need to apply much more force to
the brake pedal or steering wheel.
CHANGING A TYRE
The vehicle is originally equipped with the Fix&Go auto-
matic quick tyre repair kit (see instructions in the next sec-
tion). As an alternative, the vehicle may have a normal-
sized spare wheel.
Wheel changing and correct use of the jack and spare
wheel call for some precautions, as listed below.
The spare wheel (where provided) is
specifically for your vehicle. Therefore, it
must not be used on other models. Do not use
spare wheels of other models on your vehicle. The
spare wheel should be used only in an emergency.
Use it as little as possible.
WARNING

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TOWING THE VEHICLE
The tow ring supplied with the vehicle is located in the
tool box located either behind the left seat backrest (Car-
go versions) or in the boot (Doblò / Doblò Combi ver-
sions).
FASTENING THE TOW RING
fig. 178-179
Proceed as follows:
❒release the cap A;
❒remove the tow ring B from the tool box;
❒screw the ring tightly onto the rear or front threaded pin.
F0V0050mfig. 178
RAISING THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle needs to be lifted, go to a Fiat Dealership
which is equipped with the arm hoist or workshop lift.

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F0V0051mfig. 179
Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR and then to STOP without extract-
ing it. The steering column will automatically lock
when the key is removed, making it impossible to
turn the wheels.
WARNING
Before tightening the ring, clean the
threaded housing thoroughly. Before tow-
ing the vehicle, make sure that the tow ring is ful-
ly tightened in its appropriate housing.
Never start the engine when the vehicle is being
towed.
WARNING
Remember that, while being towed, you
will need to brake harder because there
will be no assistance from the brake booster. Do
not use bendy cables for towing and avoid jerking.
During towing operations, make sure that the fas-
tened joint does not damage adjoining compo-
nents. When towing the vehicle, comply with the
specific rules of the highway code regarding the
towing device and road conduct. Do not start the
engine while being towed.
WARNING
The front and rear tow hooks should be
used only for emergencies on the road. You
are allowed to tow the car for short dis-
tances using an appropriate device in accordance
with the highway code (a rigid bar), to move the ve-
hicle on the road in readiness for towing or trans-
porting via a breakdown vehicle. Tow hooks MUST
NOT be used to tow vehicles off the road or where
there are obstacles and/or for towing operations us-
ing cables or other non-rigid devices. Respecting the
above conditions, towing must take place with two
vehicles (one towing, the other towed) aligned as
much as possible along the same centre line.

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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct servicing is essential for ensuring long vehicle life
under the best conditions.
This is why Fiat has planned a series of checks and ser-
vice operations every 30,000/35,000 km (according to ver-
sions).
It is, however, important to remember that scheduled ser-
vicing does not completely cover all the vehicle’s re-
quirements: even in the initial period before 30,000/35,000
km, and then subsequently between one service and an-
other, ordinary care is always required such as routine
checks involving topping up fluid levels, checking tyre pres-
sures etc...IMPORTANT Scheduled Services are prescribed by the
manufacturer. Failure to stick to the schedule may invali-
date the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all Fiat Dealerships at
pre-arranged times.
If, during each part of the service, the need arises for ad-
ditional replacements or repairs, these may be carried out
only with the explicit agreement of the Customer.
IMPORTANT You are advised to contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship immediately in the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service.
If your vehicle is used frequently for towing trailers, the
interval between scheduled services must be reduced.

198
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HEAVY USAGE OF THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle is primarily used in one of the following
particularly onerous conditions:
❒ towing trailers;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-ze-
ro temperatures;
❒ frequently idling engine or long-distance, low-speed dri-
ving (e.g. door-to-door deliveries) or lengthy inactivi-
ty;
❒ driving in towns and cities;
you should perform the following inspections more fre-
quently than shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒ check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒ check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, and clean-
liness and lubrication of linkages;
❒ visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox,
transmission, pipes and tubes (exhaust – fuel – brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒ check battery charge and fluid level (electrolite) (check
to be carried out only by specialists or at a Fiat Deal-
ership – see the “Battery” paragraph in this section);
❒ visually inspect the condition of the accessory drive
belts;
❒ check pollen filter and replace, if required;
❒ check and, if necessary, replace air filter.
REGULAR CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if nec-
essary, top up:
❒ engine coolant fluid level;
❒ brake fluid level;
❒ windscreen washer level;
❒ tyre pressure and conditions.
❒ operation of lighting system (headlights, direction in-
dicators, hazard lights, etc.);
❒ operation of windscreen washer/wipers system and po-
sitioning/wear of windscreen/rear window wiper blades
(for versions/markets where provided);
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every
3,000 km.
You are recommended to use
PETRONAS LUBRICANTS
products, which have been designed and produced specif-
ically for Fiat vehicles (see “Capacities” table in the “Tech-
nical specifications” section).

270
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INDEX
Setting the clock....................... 22
Side air bags (side bag -
window bag) ......... 130-131-132
– general warnings ............. 131
Side/taillights
– front bulb replacement ... 172
– rear bulb
replacement..............175-176
– switching on......................... 59
Sliding side doors ..................... 78
Smart washing
(windscreen wipers) ............. 61
Snow chains ........................... 141
Sockets ................................72-73
Spare wheel ........................... 228
– technical specifications .... 228
Spark plugs (type).................. 223
Speed block system .............. 102
Speedometer .....................14-19
Start&Stop system................. 104Starting and driving ............... 133
Steering lock and ignition
switch ........................................ 9
Steering wheel adjustment .... 39
Steering wheel levers ....... 59-61
Steering wheel lock.................... 9
Steering wheel
– adjustment lever ................ 39
– turning circle..................... 225
Steering
– steering wheel adjustment
lever ..................................... 39
– technical data ................... 225
Sun visors ................................. 75
Suspensions ............................ 225
Switching courtesy lights
on/off ....................................... 69
Symbols ....................................... 4Tailgate
– emergency opening from
the inside........................85-86
– opening with remote
control ............................... 6-7
Technical specifications. ....... 219
Third brake light.................... 176
Top speeds ............................. 229
Topping up the engine oil ... 202
– specifications .................... 247
Tow hook
– installation ................189-190
Towing the vehicle ...............189
Towing trailers ......................
139
Trailer (towing) .............189-190
– installing the tow
hook ..........................189-190
Transmission
– technical data ................... 224