2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
99) Never press button C fig. 152
when travelling.
100) The height of the seat belts
must be adjusted with the vehicle
stationary.
101) After the adjustment, always
check that the cursor to which
the ring is fastened is locked
in one of the preset positions.
Release the grip and push
downwards to enable the locking
device to click if the grip has
not been released in one of the
possible positions.
SBR SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
The vehicle is fitted with a Seat
Belt Reminder system (SBR),
consisting of a buzzer and a
flashing warning light
on the
instrument panel which warns the
driver that the seat belt must be
fastened.
The buzzer can be deactivated
(until the next engine stop) as
follows:
❒fasten the driver's seat belt;
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position;
❒wait for over 20 seconds and then
release one of the seat belts.
For permanent deactivation,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
With digital display, the SBR system
can only be reactivated at a Fiat
Dealership.
With multifunction display, the SBR
system can also be reactivated
through the set-up menu.
PRETENSIONERS
To increase the protective efficiency
of the front seat belts, the vehicle
is fitted with pretensioners. These
devices, in the event of a head-on
crash or side impact, rewind the
seat belts a few centimetres. In this
way, they ensure that the belts fit
tightly to the wearer before the
restraining action begins.
The retractor locks to indicate that
the pretensioner has intervened; the
seat belt cannot be drawn back
up even when guiding it manually.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action
of the pretensioner, wear the seat
belt tight to the chest and pelvis.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of
the pretensioner which is not
harmful and does not involve any
fire hazard.
157

The pretensioner does not require
any maintenance or lubrication. Any
changes to its original conditions
will invalidate its efficiency. If, due to
unusual natural events (floods,
sea storms, etc.), the device has
been affected by water and mud, it
must absolutely be replaced.
102)
26)
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger safety, the
front seat belt retractors contain
a load limiter which controls the
force acting on the chest and
shoulders during the belt restraining
action in the event of a head-on
collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT
BELTS
The driver is responsible for
respecting (and ensuring that all the
other passengers also respect)
the local laws in force regarding the
use of seat belts. Always fasten
the seat belts before setting off.Seat belts are also to be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury
in the case of accident is greatly
reduced for them and the unborn
child if they are wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position
the lower part of the belt very low
down so that it passes over the
pelvis and under the abdomen (see
fig. 155).
103) 104) 105) 106) 107)SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in
efficient conditions, carefully
observe the following:
❒always use the seat belt well
stretched and never twisted; make
sure that it is free to run without
obstructions;
❒replace the belt after an accident of a
certain severity even if it does not
appear to be damaged. Always
replace the belt if the pretensioners
were deployed;
❒to clean the belt, wash by hand with
water and mild soap, rinse and leave
to dry in the shade. Never use strong
detergents, bleach, paints or any
other substance which could
damage the belt fibres;
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156F1A0149
157F1A0150
158
SAFETY

❒prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get
inside;
❒replace the seat belt when it shows
wear or cuts.
WARNING
102) The pretensioner may be used
only once. After it is triggered,
have it replaced at a Fiat
Dealership.
103) The belt must not be twisted.
The upper part must pass over
the shoulder and cross the chest
diagonally. The lower part must
adhere to the pelvis (as shown in
fig. 156) rather than the abdomen
of the passenger. Never use
devices (clips, clamps, etc.) that
hold the seat belt away from your
body.104) For maximum protection, keep
the backrest upright, lean back
into it and make sure the seat belt
fits closely across your chest
and pelvis. Always fasten the seat
belts on both the front and the
rear seats! Travelling without
wearing seat belts will increase
the risk of serious injury and even
death in the event of an accident.
105) Removing or otherwise
tampering with seat belt and
pretensioner components is
strictly prohibited. Any operations
on these components must be
performed by qualified and
authorised technicians. Always go
to a Fiat Dealership.
106) If the belt has been subjected
to a high level of stress, for
example after an accident, it must
be completely replaced together
with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the
pretensioner. In fact, even if the
belt has no visible defects, it could
have lost its resilience.
107) Each seat belt must be used by
only one person. Never travel with
a child sitting on the passenger's
lap and a single belt to protect
them both fig. 157. In general, do
not place any objects between the
person and the belt.
IMPORTANT
26) Operations which lead to
impacts, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of six hours) in the area
around the pretensioners may
damage or accidentally deploy
them. Contact a Fiat Dealership
should intervention be necessary
on these components.
159

CARRYING
CHILDREN SAFELY
For optimal protection in the event
of an impact, all passengers must
be seated and wearing adequate
restraint systems.
This is even more important for
children.
This prescription is compulsory in
all EC countries according to EC
Directive 2003/20/EC.
Compared with adults, a child's
head is proportionally larger and
heavier than the rest of the body,
while muscles and bone structure
are not fully developed. Therefore,
correct restraint systems are
necessary which are different from
adult seat belts.
The results of research on the best
child restraint systems are
contained in the European
Standard ECE-R44, which enforces
the use of restraint systems
classified into five groups:
Group Weight range
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
As you can see, the groups overlap
partly and, in fact, there are devices
on sale that cover more than one
weight group.
All restraint devices must bear the
certification data, together with
the control mark, on a label solidly
fixed to the child restraint system
which must never be removed.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the
point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults
and wear the seat belts normally.
Lineaccessori Fiat offers child
restraint systems for each weight
group. These devices are
recommended, having been
specifically designed for Fiat
vehicles.
108)
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
facing backwards on a cradle
seat, which, supporting the head,
does not induce stress on the neck
in the event of sharp decelerations.
The cradle is restrained by the
vehicle's seat belts, as shown in fig.
158 and it must restrain the child
in turn with its own belts.
109) 110)
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160
SAFETY

GROUP 1
Children from 9 kg to 18 kg in
weight can be carried facing
forwards if the child restraint
system is fitted with a front cushion,
through which the vehicle's seat
belt restrains both child and seat
fig. 159.
109) 110)
GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use
the vehicle's seat belts directly
fig. 160.The child restraint system is now
needed only to position the child
correctly with respect to the belts
so that the diagonal section
crosses the child's chest and never
the neck, and the lower part is
snug on the pelvis not the
abdomen.
109)
GROUP 3
For children from 22 kg to 36 kg in
weight the size of the child's chest
no longer requires a support to
space the child's back from the
backrest.
The fig. 161 shows the correct child
positioning on the rear seat.
109)
Children over 1.50 m in height can
wear seat belts like adults.
159F1A0152160F1A0153
161F1A0154
161

SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR THE USE OF CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS
The vehicle complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs the arrangement possibilities for
child restraint systems on the seats of a vehicle as shown in the following table (the table refers to the Van, Combi
and Panorama versions):
Group Weight range CAB 1st and 2nd REAR SEATS ROW
Single or two-
seater seat (1 or 2
passengers)Rear left side
passengerRear right side
passengerCentral passenger
Group 0, 0+ Up to 13 kgUUUU
Group 1 9–18 kgUUUU
Group 2 15–25 kgUUUU
Group 3 22–36 kgUUUU
U suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified "Groups".
162
SAFETY

Below is a summary
of the main safety
rules to be followed
when carrying
children
❒The recommended position for
installing child restraint systems is on
the rear seat, as it is the most
protected area in the event of an
impact.
❒If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
dedicated LED on button
on the
instrument panel to make sure that it
has actually been deactivated.
❒Carefully follow the instructions that
come with the child restraint system,
which the manufacturer must supply.
Keep the instructions in the vehicle
along with the other papers and this
handbook. Do not use second-hand
child restraint systems without
instructions.
❒Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
❒Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry
two children using one child restraint
system.
❒Always check that the seat belts do
not restrain the child's throat.❒While travelling, do not let the child sit
incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
❒Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can restrain
a child in the event of an accident.
❒In the event of an accident, replace
the child restraint system with a
new one.
163

WARNING
108)
Do not place a rearward facing
cradle seat on the front seat if the
passenger side airbag is enabled.
Deployment of the airbag in an
accident could cause fatal injuries
to the child regardless of the
severity of the impact. It is
advisable to always carry children
in a child restraint system on the
rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of
a collision. If you need to carry
a child on the front passenger
seat in a rearward facing cradle
seat, the passenger side airbags
(front and side bags for chest/
pelvis protection, for
versions/markets, where
provided) must be deactivated
using the setup menu. It is
important to check the dedicated
LED on button
on the
instrument panel to make sure
that they are actually deactivated.The passenger seat must also be
positioned back as far as possible
in order to avoid the child
restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard.
109) The figures are indicative and
for assembly purposes only. Fit
the child restraint system
according to the instructions,
which must be included.
110) Some child restraint systems
for weight group 0 and 1 have a
rear attachment to the car seat
belts and its own seat belts for
securing the child. Due to their
weight, they may be dangerous if
incorrectly mounted (e.g. if
fastened to the vehicle seat belts
placing a cushion in between).
Follow the assembly instructions
carefully.
SETUP FOR
“UNIVERSAL
ISOFIX” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Provision has been made on the
vehicle to fit Universal Isofix child
restraint systems, a new European
standardised system for carrying
children safely.
An example of a child restraint
system is shown in fig. 162.
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164
SAFETY