Electrical FIAT DUCATO 2008 3.G User Guide

203
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCEIMPORTANTThe charge in the battery
should be checked at the start of winter
to limit the risk of electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the vehicle is used mainly for
short trips, or if it is fitted with accessories
that permanently absorb electricity even
with the ignition key removed, especially
in the case of after market accessories.
fig. 12F0N0110m
Bright whiteTop up electrolyte Contact FiatcolourDealership
Dark colourLow charge level Charge the battery
without green area (advisable to
in the centrecontact Fiat Dealership)
Dark colour Electrolyte level and No action
with green area charge sufficient
in the centre
CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifi-
cations.
If a battery with different specifications is
fitted, the service intervals given in the
“Service schedule” in this section will no
longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.Incorrect fitting of electrical
and electronic accessories can
seriously damage the vehicle.
If after buying the vehicle, you
want to install electric accessories
which require permanent electric sup-
ply (alarm, free-hand phone kit, etc.)
contact Fiat Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, checking
whether the vehicle electric system is
capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be inte-
grated with a more powerful battery.
Batteries contain substances
that are very harmful for the
environment. You are advised
to have the battery changed
at a Fiat Dealership, which is properly
equipped for disposing of used batter-
ies respecting nature and the law.
If the vehicle is left inactive
for long periods at cold, re-
move the battery and store it in a
warm place to prevent freezing.
WARNING
IMPORTANT When a tachograph is fit-
ted and the vehicle has been parked for
longer than 5 days, it is advisable to dis-
connect the battery negative terminal to
preserve the charge status.
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” chapter;

204
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEICHLE
MAINTENANCE
❒do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
battery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened.
IMPORTANT A battery which is kept at
a charge of less than 50% (optical indica-
tor with dark colour without green area
in the middle) for any length of time will
be damaged by sulphation leading to a re-
duction in cranking power.
Moreover, this might lead to a higher risk
of the battery electrolyte freezing (this
may even occur at –10° C). If the vehicle
is inactive for a long period of time, refer
to “Vehicle inactivity”, in section “Correct
use of the vehicle”. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and length-
en its life, observe the following indica-
tions:
❒when you park the vehicle, ensure the
doors are closed properly. The ceiling
lights must be off;
❒turn the ceiling lights off. The vehicle
however, is provided with an auto-
matic system for switching off internal
lights;
When working on the bat-
tery or near it, always wear
the proper goggles.
WARNINGIf after buying the vehicle, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Fiat Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, checking
whether the vehicle’s electric system is ca-
pable of withstanding the load required,
or whether it should be integrated with
a more powerful battery.
In fact, since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition key
is off, they gradually run down the battery.