2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
34) Once the dead lock system is
engaged it is impossible to open
the doors from inside the vehicle.
Therefore, before engaging the
system check that there is no one
left inside. If the remote control
battery is flat, the system can be
disengaged only by inserting
the key metal insert in either of
the door locks as described
previously: in this case the device
remains active only for the rear
doors.
35) Before leaving the vehicle
parked with sliding doors open,
always check that the latch is
engaged.
36) Do not move the vehicle with
side doors open.37) Before setting off after parking
or before moving the vehicle in
any way, ensure that the
footboard is fully stowed away. As
the movement of the platform is
linked to that of the sliding side
door, thewarning light in the
instrument panel comes on if it is
not fully retracted in the same
way as when the rear doors are
not shut.
38) This spring loaded system has
activation forces that were
designed for optimum comfort.
Accidental knocks or a strong
gust of wind may release the
springs and close the doors
spontaneously.
39) With the doors opened to 180
degrees, no locking system is
effective. Do not use this opening
with the vehicle parked on a
gradient or when it is windy.
40) It is forbidden to drive the
vehicle with the footboard open.
41) Do not use the retracted
footboard for getting up or down
the load compartment.42) Make sure that the footboard is
suitably locked by the provided
retaining systems before, after
and during its use. An incomplete
opening or closing might cause
an improper movement of the
footboard with risks arising for the
operator and external users.
43) The footboard lightly projects
from the vehicle even if retracted;
therefore, when rear parking
sensors are provided, their
operating range is lightly reduced.
IMPORTANT
5) The footboard presence may
reduce the ramp approach angles;
it is therefore recommended, in
case of a very steep ramp, to
be very careful in order not to
damage the footboard.
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ELECTRIC WINDOWS
ELECTRIC
Switches fig. 118 on the inner
armrest of the driver's door control
the following with the ignition key
in the MAR-ON position:
A: left front window opening/
closing;
B: right front window opening/
closing.Continuous automatic
operation
All versions are equipped with
automatic raising and lowering of
the front, driver's side window.
Keep one of the buttons pressed
for longer than half a second to
operate the automatic continuous
window operation function. The
window stops when it reaches the
end of travel position, or when
the button is pressed again.
IMPORTANT With the ignition key in
the STOP position or extracted,
the electric windows remain
activated for about 3 minutes and
are deactivated immediately when
one of the doors is opened.
Front passenger side
door
A dedicated switch for operating
the window is located on the inner
armrest of the passenger side
front door.
44)
WARNING
44) Incorrect use of the electric
windows may be dangerous.
Before and during operation,
always check that nobody is
exposed to the risk of being
injured either directly by the
moving window or through
objects getting caught or by being
hit. When leaving the vehicle,
always remove the key from the
ignition switch to avoid the risk of
injury to anyone remaining in
the car due to accidental
operation of the electric windows.
118F1A0125
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KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

BONNET
OPENING
Proceed as follows:
❒open the driver's door to gain access
to the bonnet release handle;
❒pull the lever fig. 119 in the direction
indicated by the arrow;
❒lift lever A fig. 120 as shown in the
figure;
❒lift the bonnet and, at the same time,
release the bonnet stay fig. 121 from
its locking device D, then insert the
end C fig. 122 of the bonnet stay into
the housing E.
IMPORTANT Before opening the
bonnet, check that the windscreen
wiper arms are not lifted from the
windscreen.CLOSING
Proceed as follows:
❒hold the bonnet up with one hand
and with the other remove the stay
C fig. 122 from the housing E and fit
it back in its locking device D fig.
121;
❒lower the bonnet to approximately 20
centimetres from the engine
compartment and let it drop. Make
sure that the bonnet is completely
closed and not only fastened by the
locking device by trying to open it.
If it is not perfectly closed, do not try
to press the bonnet down but open
it and repeat the procedure.
IMPORTANT Always check that the
bonnet is closed correctly to
prevent it from opening while the
vehicle is travelling.
45) 46) 47)
119F1A0126
120F1A0339
121F1A0349
122F1A0129
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WARNING
45) For safety reasons, the bonnet
must always be perfectly closed
while travelling. Make sure that
the bonnet is perfectly closed and
that the lock is engaged. If you
notice when driving that the
bonnet has not been properly
locked, stop immediately
and close the bonnet correctly.
46) Incorrect positioning of the stay
rod may cause the bonnet to drop
suddenly.
47) Perform these operations only
when the vehicle is stationary.
ROOF RACK/SKI
RACK
To fit the roof/ski rack, with
provision for versions H1 and H2,
use the pins A provided on the
edges of the roof fig. 123.
Long wheelbase vehicles are
equipped with 8 pins; short or
medium wheelbase vehicles are
equipped with 6 pins; vehicles with
extra-long wheelbases are
equipped with 10 pins.
48) 49)
6) 7)
IMPORTANT Follow the instructions
contained in the assembly kit
carefully. Assembly must be
performed by qualified personnel.
WARNING
48) After travelling for a few
kilometres, check to ensure that
the fixing screws for the
attachments are well tightened.
49) Evenly distribute the load and
take into account, when driving,
the increased responsiveness
of the vehicle to side wind.
IMPORTANT
6) The size of the loads you
transport must strictly comply
with currently applicable
regulations.
7) Never exceed the maximum
permitted loads (see “Technical
specifications” section).
123F1A0130
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HEADLIGHTS
LIGHT BEAM
ALIGNMENT
The correct alignment of the
headlights is essential for the
comfort and safety of the driver and
other road users. To ensure the
best visibility when travelling with
the headlights on, the headlight
alignment must be correct. Contact
a Fiat Dealership to have the
headlights checked and adjusted.
HEADLIGHT
ALIGNMENT
CORRECTOR
This device works with the ignition
key in the MAR-ON position and
the dipped beam headlights on.
The vehicle tilts backwards when it
is laden, raising the beam.
The beams must therefore be
realigned in this case.Headlight alignment
adjustment
Pressoron the control panel
fig. 124.
The instrument panel display shows
the position in relation to the
adjustment set.
IMPORTANT Check the alignment
of the light beams each time the
weight of the load transported
changes.
FOG LIGHTS
ALIGNMENT
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Contact a Fiat Dealership to have
the headlights checked and
adjusted.ADJUSTING THE
HEADLIGHTS WHEN
ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are
aligned for operation in the country
where the vehicle was originally
purchased. When in countries
where you drive on the other side of
the road, you need to alter the
beam direction by affixing a
specially designed self-adhesive
film in order not to dazzle the
vehicles travelling in the opposite
direction. Such film is provided
by Lineaccessori Fiat and is
available at Fiat Dealerships.
MODEMODE
124F1A0326
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ABS
This is an integral part of the
braking system, which prevents
one or more wheels from locking or
slipping regardless of the road
surface conditions and braking
intensity, ensuring control of the
vehicle even during emergency
braking.
The system intervenes when
braking and the wheels are about
to lock, typically in emergency
braking or low-grip conditions,
when locking may be more
frequent.
The ABS ensures the direction of
the vehicle while braking and
optimises the braking distances at
the same time.
The system also improves control
and stability of the car when
braking on a surface where the grip
of the left and right wheels varies,
or when braking on corners.
The system is completed by EBD
(Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), which distributes the
braking action between the front
and rear wheels.IMPORTANT To obtain the
maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during
this period it is better to avoid
sharp, repeated and prolonged
braking.
50)
SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can feel that the ABS
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and
the system gets noisier: it means
that the car speed should be
altered to suit the type of road
surface.
51) 52) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57)
MSR SYSTEM
(Motor Schleppmoment
Regelung)
This system is an integral part of
the ABS and intervenes, if there is
sudden downshifting, restoring
torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the
drive wheels which, especially
in poor grip conditions, could lead
to a loss in stability of the vehicle.
WARNING
50) The ABS exploits the grip
available to the full, but it cannot
improve it. Therefore, you should
take great care when driving on
slippery surfaces, without taking
unnecessary risks.
51) When the ABS intervenes and
you notice the brake pedal
pulsating, keep the pedal pushed
down and don’t be alarmed. This
will help you to stop in the
shortest distance possible,
depending on the road conditions.
52) If the ABS intervenes, it means
you have almost reached the grip
limit between the tyres and the
road surface: slow down to make
sure that you drive in accordance
with the available grip
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KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

53) The ABS can’t overrule the
natural laws of physics, and can’t
increase the grip available
according to the condition of the
road.
54) The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
55) The capability of the ABS must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as
to compromise personal safety
and the safety of others.
56) For the correct operation of the
ABS, it is essential that the tyres
are of the same make and type on
all wheels, in perfect condition
and, above all, of the specified
type and dimensions.
57) If the space-saver wheel (for
versions/markets, where
provided) is used, the ABS keeps
operating. Always remember
that the space-saver wheel, being
smaller than the original wheel,
provides less grip.ESC (Electronic
Stability Control)
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of
the vehicle in various driving
conditions.
The ESC system corrects the
vehicle’s understeer and oversteer,
distributing the brake force on
the appropriate wheels. The torque
supplied by the engine can also
be reduced in order to maintain
control of the vehicle.
The ESC system uses the sensors
in the vehicle to determine the
trajectory required by the driver
through steering and compares it
with the real trajectory of the
vehicle. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory,
the ESC system intervenes to
counter the car’s understeer or
oversteer.
❒Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.❒Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should
according to the angle of the steering
wheel
The ESC system also includes the
following subsystems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒HBA
❒ERM
❒HDC
58) 59) 60)
SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
This is signalled by the flashing of
warning light
in the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that
the vehicle is in critical stability and
grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
83

HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of
the ESC system and facilitates
starting on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the
following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
gearbox in neutral or gear (other than
reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a
maximum of 2 seconds, allowing
your right foot to be moved easily
from the brake pedal to the
accelerator.When two seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure.
During this release stage, the
typical brake disengagement noise
indicating that the vehicle is going
to move imminently will be heard.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system
is not a parking brake; therefore,
never leave the vehicle without
having engaged the handbrake,
turned the engine off and engaged
first gear, so that it is parked in
safe conditions (for further
information read the "Parking"
paragraph in the "Starting
and driving" chapter).
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESC
system. It automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive
wheels slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (aquaplaning) and
acceleration on slippery, snowy or
icy roads, etc.Depending on the slipping
conditions, two different control
systems are activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the ASR intervenes reducing
the power transmitted by the engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, it intervenes
automatically braking the wheel that
is slipping.
62)
Engagement/ disengagement of
the ASR system
The ASR system switches on
automatically each time the engine
is started.
Whilst driving, the ASR can be
switched off and subsequently
switched on again by pressing the
ASR OFF button fig. 125.
61)
On some versions, the intervention
of the system is indicated by a
message shown on the display.
When the system is not active, the
LED on the button ASR OFF turns
on and, on some versions, a
message appears on the display.
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KNOW YOUR VEHICLE