119
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
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
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
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.
122
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
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
156
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT fig. 31-32
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
❒loosen the two fastening screws A-
fig. 31;
❒remove the lens unit;
❒press the tabs B-fig. 32and remove
the bulb holder;
❒remove the snap-fitted bulb and re-
place it.NUMBER PLATE LIGHT fig. 33
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
❒work in the point shown by the arrow
and remove the lens unit A;
❒change the bulb releasing it from the
side contacts and making sure the new
bulb is correctly fastened between the
contacts;
❒refit the snap-fitted lens unit.
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT
BURNS OUT
For the type of bulb and power rating, see
“When needing to change a bulb”.
FRONT CEILING LIGHT
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒work in the points shown by the ar-
rows and remove light A-fig. 34;
❒open the protection lid B-fig. 35;
❒replace bulbs C-fig. 35releasing them
from the side contacts; make sure that
new bulbs are correctly clamped be-
tween contacts;
❒re-close the lid B-fig. 35and secure
light A-fig. 34into its housing lock-
ing it properly.
fig. 32F0N0142m
fig. 33F0N0089mfig. 31F0N0141m
157
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
REAR CEILING LIGHT
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒work in the points shown by the ar-
rows and remove light D-fig. 36;
❒open the protection lid E-fig. 37;
❒replace bulb F-fig. 37releasing it from
the side contacts making sure that the
new bulb is correctly clamped between
the contacts;
❒re-close the protection lid E-fig. 37
and secure light D-fig. 36into its
housing locking it properly.
fig. 34F0N0090m
fig. 35F0N0091m
fig. 36F0N0092m
fig. 37F0N0093m
IF A FUSE BLOWS
GENERAL
The fuse is a protective device for the
electric system: it comes into action (i.e.
it cuts off) mainly due to a fault or im-
proper action on the system.
When a device does not work, check the
efficiency of its fuse: the conductor ele-
ment A-fig. 38must be intact. If not, re-
place the fuse with one of the same amp
rating (same colour).
Bundamaged fuse
Cfuse with damaged filament.