2006 FIAT DUCATO tow

90
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
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For proper operation, the
parking sensors shall always
be clean from mud, dirt, snow
or ice. When cleaning the sen-
sors, take the utmost care to prevent
their damaging; do not use therefore
dry or rough clothes. Sensors shall be
washed with clean water and vehicle
detergent, if required.
Parking manoeuvres howev-
er are always under the dri-
ver’s responsibility that shall always
check the absence of people (spe-
cially children) or animals in the ma-
noeuvre space. This system is just a
help for the driver but she/he shall
never reduce attention during dan-
gerous manoeuvres even if performed
at low speed.
WARNINGOPERATION WITH
TRAILER
Parking sensor operation is deactivated au-
tomatically when the trailer electric cable
plug is fitted into the vehicle tow hook
socket.
Sensors are reactivated when removing
the trailer cable plug.
In washing stations, clean sensors quickly
keeping the vapour jet/high pressure
washing nozzles at 10 cm at least from the
sensors.

117
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If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light
Yremains
lit together with warning light
mturn
the key to STOPand then back to MAR;
if the warning lights remain on, try with
the other keys provided with the vehicle.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel
warning light
Ystays on glowing steadi-
ly, contact immediately Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off.
The warning light
mwill
flash for 60 seconds at start-
up or during prolonged crank-
ing to indicate a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You can use
the vehicle as usual if the engine starts
but you should contact Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres. Wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering are
not operational until the en-
gine has been started, there-
fore much effort than usual is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Never bump start the engine
by pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill as this could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalytic exhaust system and damage
it beyond repair.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the acceler-
ator before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.

119
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fig. 2F0N0074m
To change gears properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is therefore es-
sential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of the
pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as
the force exerted, even if
slight, could lead over time to
premature wear on the gearbox inter-
nal components.
To engage reverse R from neutral, pro-
ceed as follows: raise the sliding ring Aun-
der the knob and at the same time move
the gearshift lever leftwards and then for-
ward.
LOAD
RECOMMENDATIONS
The version of the Fiat Ducato you are
driving has been designed and approved
on the basis of several set maximum
weights (see the tables “Weights” in sec-
tion “Technical specifications”): kerb
weight; payload; total weight; total weight
on the front axle; total weight on the rear
axle; towable weight
Each of these limits must be
borne in mind and MUST
NEVER BE EXCEEDED under any cir-
cumstances. In particular, never ex-
ceed the maximum weight permitted
on the front and rear axles when ar-
ranging loads in vehicle (especially for
special version vehicles).Chance knocks or sudden
braking can cause sudden
shifts of the load which could jeop-
ardise the safety of the driver and the
passengers: before you start off make
sure the load is firmly secured by us-
ing the hooks built into the floor for
that purpose. Use metal cables, ropes
or straps strong enough to support
the weight of the load to be fixed.
WARNING
WARNING
Even if the vehicle is sta-
tionary on a steep hill or
sideways incline, goods not properly
secured could fall out when the back
or side doors are opened.
WARNING
IMPORTANT Max. admitted load on floor
fixings is 500 kg; max. admitted load on
body side is 150 kg.

120
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CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of your
vehicle down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the atmos-
phere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
Carry out the checks and adjustments/reg-
ulations specified in the “Service Sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routine-
ly at an interval of no more than 4 weeks:
if the pressure is too low, consumption
levels increase as resistance to rolling is
higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the ve-
hicle (especially when driving in town) and
its trim greatly affects consumption and
stability.Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from
the roof as soon as they are no longer
used. These accessories lower air pene-
tration and adversely affect consumption
levels. When needing to carry particular-
ly voluminous objects, preferably use a
trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading to
higher consumption (on average up to
+20%). When the temperature outside
the vehicle permits it, use the air vents
where possible.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.
Observe the enforced rules if
you need to carry a spare
can of petrol. Only use a homologat-
ed can and secure it to the load an-
choring eyebolts. Even given these
precautions, the risk of fire in the
event of an accident is increased.
WARNING
In addition to these general precautions,
some simple measures could enhance dri-
ving safety, comfort and the length of the
vehicle’s life:
❒distribute the load evenly over the
load floor: if you need to concentrate
it all in one point choose the part be-
tween the axles;
❒remember that the lower the load is,
the lower the vehicle’s centre of grav-
ity will be, contributing to a safe drive;
you should therefore always position
the heavier goods at the bottom;
❒finally, remember that the way in
which the vehicle moves is influenced
by the weight being carried. In partic-
ular, stopping distance lengthens par-
ticularly at high speed.

121
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DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum op-
erating temperature. This results in a sig-
nificant increase in consumption levels
(from +15 to +30% on the urban cycle)
and emission of harmful substances.
Traffic and
road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights.
Also winding mountain roads and rough
road surfaces adversely affect consump-
tion.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings)
the engine should be switched off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the vehi-
cle must be fitted with a certified tow
hook and an adequate electric system. In-
stallation should be carried out by spe-
cialised personnel who release a special
document for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-
view mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the brak-
ing spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the ve-
hicle tow hook reduces by the same
amount the actual vehicle loading capaci-
ty. To make sure the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the log
book) account should be taken of the ful-
ly laden trailer, including accessories and
personal belongings. DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine when the vehi-
cle is stationary or at high or low speed:
in this way the engine will warm up grad-
ually increasing consumption and emis-
sions. You should drive off slowly straight
away avoiding high revs so that the engine
will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traffic
lights or before switching off the engine.
This and also double declutching is ab-
solutely pointless on modern vehicles and
also increase consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and
road allow, use a higher gear. Using a low
gear to obtain brilliant performance in-
creases consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions an
engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed. Avoid superfluous braking and
accelerating, which cost in terms of both
fuel and emissions.

122
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INSTALLING THE TOW
HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accord-
ing to any additional and/or integrative in-
formation supplied by the Manufacturer of
the device.
The towing device must meet current reg-
ulations with reference to 94/20/EC Di-
rective and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the ve-
hicle on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is generally
placed on a special bracket normally fas-
tened to the towing device, and a special
ECU for external trailer light control shall
be installed on the vehicle.
For the electrical connection, 7 or 13 pin
12VDC connection is to be used (CU-
NA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow
the instructions provided by the vehicle
manufacturer and/or the tow hitch man-
ufacturer.An electric brake should be supplied di-
rectly by the battery through a cable with
a cross section of no less than 2,5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brake or other de-
vice shall be used with running engine.
In addition to the electrical branches, the
vehicle’s electric system can only be con-
nected to the supply cable for an electric
brake and to the cable for an internal light,
though not above 15W.
For connections use the preset control
unit with battery cable no less than 2,5
mm
2. Do not exceed the speed limits of the
country you are driving in. In any case do
not exceed 100 km/h.
Fit a suitable towing stabilizer to the trail-
er to be towed.
The ABS system with which
the vehicle may be fitted
does not control the trailer braking
system. Therefore be cautious on slip-
pery roads.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the vehicle brake sys-
tem be altered to control the trailer
brake. The trailer braking system
must be fully independent of the ve-
hicle’s hydraulic system.
WARNING

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Assembly diagram -
Van versions fig. 3
The tow hook structure must be fastened
in the points shown by the symbol Øus-
ing a total of 6 M8 screws and 4 M12
screws.
The internal counterplates are to be at
least 5 mm thick.
MAX LOAD ON BALL 120 kg.
After fitting, screw holes
shall be sealed to prevent ex-
haust gas inlet.
WARNING
fig. 3F0N0189m
Existing hole
Existing nut
Existing nutExisting hole
Existing hole
laden
Standard tow ball M12
M12
M8 (3x)
M8 (3x)
M12To install the tow hook, shear the bumper
according to the values shown in fig. 3a.
fig. 3aF0N0192m

124
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fig. 4F0N0195m
Assembly diagram - Truck and
Chassis Cab versions - fig. 4
A specific tow hook for Truck and Chas-
sis Cab versions is shown infig. 4. Struc-
ture Ømust be fastened in the points
shown by a total of 6 M8 and 4 M12
screws.
MAX LOAD ON BALL 120 kg.
After fitting, screw holes
shall be sealed to prevent
exhaust gas inlet.
WARNING