2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER warning

29) If thewarning light flashes
for about 60 seconds after
starting or during prolonged
cranking, this indicates a fault in
the glow plug preheating system.
Use the vehicle normally if the
engine starts, but contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
30) Remember that the brake servo
and power steering are not
operational until the engine has
been started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to
the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
31) Never start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving
downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter
and damage it beyond repair.
32) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
33) In some cases, when the engine
switches off, the fan could
activate for max. 120 seconds.
WARNING
129) It is dangerous to run the
engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and
releases carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
❒engage a gear (on a slope, engage
first gear if the car is facing uphill or
reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered.
If the vehicle is parked on a steep
slope, it is advisable to block the
wheels with a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the key in the ignition
as this drains the battery. Always
remove the key when you leave the
car.
130)
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located to
the left of the driver's seat fig. 171.
Pull the lever upwards to engage
the handbrake and ensure that the
vehicle does not move.
IMPORTANT Make sure that the
handbrake is engaged in such
a way as to ensure the stationing of
the vehicle, especially in the case
of steep slopes and full load.
181

IMPORTANT If this is not the case,
contact a Fiat Dealership to have
the handbrake adjusted. If the lever
travel gets longer, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
When the handbrake lever is
engaged and the ignition key is in
MAR-ON position, the instrument
panel warning light
will switch
on.
Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release
button A;
❒keep button A pressed and lower the
lever.
Thewarning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.
Press the brake pedal when
carrying out this operation to
prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
34)
IMPORTANT Apply the handbrake
only when the vehicle is at a
standstill or with the vehicle in
motion only in the event of a failure
in the hydraulic system. If
exceptional use is made of the
handbrake with the vehicle in
motion, moderate traction is
advisable in order not to cause
locking of the rear end with
consequent swerving of the vehicle.
WARNING
130) Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle. Always
remove the ignition key when
leaving the vehicle and take it out
with you.
IMPORTANT
34) If the vehicle is equipped with
self-levelling air suspension,
always check that there is
sufficient space above the roof
and around the vehicle when
parking. Indeed, the vehicle could
raise (or lower) automatically
depending on load or temperature
changes.
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182
STARTING AND DRIVING

USING THE
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the
clutch pedal fully and put the gear
lever into the required position
(the diagram for gear engagement
is shown on the knob fig. 172).
To engage 6th gear (where
provided), operate the lever by
pressing it towards the right in
order to avoid engaging 4th gear by
mistake. The action is similar for
shifting from 6th gear to 5th gear.IMPORTANT Reverse may only be
engaged when the vehicle is at a
standstill. With the engine running,
wait for at least 2 seconds with
the clutch pedal fully pressed
before engaging reverse to prevent
damage to the gears and grating.
To engage reverse R from neutral,
proceed as follows: raise sliding
ring A under the knob and at the
same time move the gear lever
to the left and then forwards.
131)
35)
WARNING
131) Depress the clutch pedal fully
to change gear correctly. It is
therefore essential that there is
nothing under the pedals: make
sure the mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
35) 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
of the internal gearbox
components. The clutch pedal
should be used only for gear
changes. Do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal,
however lightly. For versions/
markets where provided, the
electronic clutch pedal control
could cut in, interpreting the
incorrect driving style as a fault.
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183

LOADING ADVICE
The Fiat Ducato version used by
you has been designed and type
approved on the basis of certain
maximum weights (see "Weights"
table in the "Technical Data"
chapter): kerb weight, payload,
total weight, maximum weight on
front axle, maximum weight on rear
axle, towable weight.
IMPORTANT The maximum
permitted load on the floor
fastenings is 500 kg; the maximum
permitted load on the side panel
is 150 kg.
IMPORTANT For versions with right
and left side flaps, it is advisable
to reposition the release lever in the
closed position before lowering
the sides.
36)
132) 133) 134)
In addition to these general
precautions, some simple
precautions can improve driving
safety, travelling comfort and
vehicle durability:
❒distribute the load evenly over the
platform: if it is necessary to
concentrate it in a single area,
choose an area mid-way between
both axles;
❒lastly, remember that the vehicle’s
dynamic behaviour is affected by
the weight transported: in particular,
the stopping distances are longer,
especially at high speed.
IMPORTANT
36) Each of these must be strictly
observed and MUST NEVER BE
EXCEEDED in any case. In
particular, ensure that you never
exceed the maximum permitted
weights on the front and rear
axles when arranging the load on
the vehicle (particularly if the
vehicle is equipped with a specific
trim level).
WARNING
132) Irregular trajectories and abrupt
braking may cause sudden
movements of the load with
consequent situations of hazard
for the driver and passengers:
before setting off, secure the load
tightly using the appropriate
hooks on the floor and use steel
cables, ropes or chains strong
enough to hold the items to be
secured.
133) If a vehicle is parked on a very
steep gradient or with a side
gradient, opening the rear door or
side door could cause any
unsecured items to emerge
suddenly.
134) If you wish to carry a reserve of
petrol in a can, observe the legal
restrictions and only use a can
that is type-approved and
properly secured to the load
anchorage eyebolts. Anyway, by
doing so, you increase the risk
of fire in the event of an accident
with your vehicle.
184
STARTING AND DRIVING

TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
The vehicle must be provided with
a type-approved tow hook and
adequate electrical system to tow
caravans or trailers. Installation
should be carried out by
specialised personnel who will issue
the required papers for travelling
on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a
trailer, steep hills are harder to
climb, the braking 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 of the trailer on the
vehicle tow hook will reduce the
loading capacity of the vehicle by
the same amount. Consider the
weight of the trailer fully laden,
including accessories and luggage,
to make sure you do not exceed
the maximum towable weight
(shown on the vehicle registration
document).
Do not exceed the speed limits
specific to each country you are
driving in, in the case of vehicles
towing trailers. In any case, the top
speed must not exceed 100 km/h.
You are advised to fit a suitable
stabiliser to the trailer drawbar.
In the vehicles equipped with
parking sensors, after fitting the tow
hook malfunctioning warnings
may be displayed, as some parts
(tow bar, ball tow hook) may be
within the sensor detection range.
In this case the detection range
must be adjusted or the parking
assistance function must be
deactivated.
135) 136)
INSTALLING THE TOW
HOOK
The towing device should be
fastened to the body by specialised
personnel according to any
additional and/or integrative
information supplied by the
Manufacturer of the device.
The towing device must meet
current regulations with reference to
Directive 94/20/EC and subsequent
amendments.
For any version the towing device
used must match the towable
weight of the vehicle on which it is
to be installed.
For the electric connection a
standard connector should be used
which is generally placed on a
special bracket normally fastened
to the towing device, and a special
ECU for external trailer light control
must be installed on the vehicle.
For the electrical connection, 7 or
13 pin 12 V DC connections are to
be used (CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN
Standards). Follow the instructions
provided by the vehicle
manufacturer and/or the tow hitch
manufacturer.
187

136) Never modify the braking
system of the vehicle to control
the trailer brake. The trailer
braking system must be fully
independent from the hydraulic
system of the vehicle.
137) After fitting, fixing screw holes
must be sealed to prevent an
exhaust gas inlet.
138) After fitting, fixing screw holes
must be sealed to prevent an
exhaust gas inlet.
189
WARNING
135) The ABS device with which the
vehicle may be equipped will not
control the braking system of
the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
Installation diagram
for Truck and Chassis
Cab versions fig. 174
Another tow hook specific to Truck
and Chassis Cab versions in shown
in fig. 174.
The structure Ø must be fixed in the
points indicated using a total of 6
M10x1.25 screws and 4 M12
screws.
MAX LOAD ON BALL: 100/120 kg
according to the payload (see
“Weights” table in the “Technical
data” section).
138)

SNOW TYRES
A Fiat Dealership will be happy to
provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyre for the
customer's requirements.
The performance of these tyres is
considerably reduced when the
tread depth is less than 4 mm.
Replace them in this case.
Due to the specific characteristics
of snow tyres, in normal weather
conditions or on long motorway
journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of standard
tyres. Their usage should therefore
be restricted in accordance with
their type approval.
IMPORTANT When using snow
tyres with a maximum speed index
below the one that can be reached
by the vehicle (increased by 5%),
place a notice in the passenger
compartment, plainly in view, which
states the maximum speed allowed
by the snow tyres (as per EC
Directive).All four tyres should be the same
(brand and track) to ensure greater
safety when driving and braking
as well as a good manoeuvrability.
Remember that you should not
change the rotation direction of the
tyres.
139)
WARNING
139) The maximum speed for snow
tyres marked "Q" is 160 km/h,
while it is 190 km/h for "T" tyres
and 210 km/h for "H" tyres. You
should, however, always comply
with the speed limits of the
highway code.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be
in compliance with local regulations
of each country.
Snow chains can be fitted to the
tyres of the front wheels (drive
wheels) only.
Use of Lineaccessori Fiat snow
chains is recommended. Check the
tension of the snow chains after
the first few metres have been
driven.
43)
IMPORTANT With snow chains,
use the accelerator with extreme
care to prevent, or to limit as much
as possible, slipping of the drive
wheels that could cause chain
breakage, resulting in damage to
the car body or mechanical
components.
IMPORTANT For versions fitted with
225/75 R16 tyre, use snow chains
with max. thickness 16 mm.
195
When travelling on snowy roads
with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the ASR off: in fact, in these
conditions, the driving wheels
skidding when moving off gives you
better traction.

STARTING THE
ENGINE
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately
if warning light
stays on
constantly on the instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to
start the engine using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a
little higher than the flat one.
It is advisable to contact a Fiat
Dealership to check/replace the
battery.
140)
Proceed as follows to start the
vehicle:
❒raise the flap A fig. 178 to gain
access to the positive battery
terminal.
❒connect the positive terminals (sign +
near the terminal) of the two batteries
with a jump lead;
❒use a second cable to connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to the earth point as shown in
fig. 179;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started,
remove the cables reversing the
order above.
If after a few attempts the engine
does not start, do not persist
but contact the nearest Fiat
Dealership.IMPORTANT Do not directly
connect the negative terminals of
the two batteries: sparks could
ignite explosive gas released from
the battery. If the auxiliary battery is
installed on another vehicle, avoid
any metal parts on the latter and
the vehicle with the flat battery from
accidentally coming into contact.
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.
WARNING
140) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery
and do not cause sparks.
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198
IN AN EMERGENCY