2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER Owner handbook (in English)

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.
171F1A0162
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.
172F1A0163
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

SAVING FUEL
Some useful tips are given below
for fuel saving and reducing harmful
emissions of CO2 and other
pollutants (nitrogen oxides, unburnt
hydrocarbons, Particulate Matter
(PM), etc.).
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
The general factors that affect fuel
consumption are listed below.
Vehicle maintenance
Have checks and adjustments
carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least
once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low, consumption
levels increase as resistance to
rolling is higher.Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded
luggage compartment. The weight
of the vehicle (especially when
driving in town) and its geometry
greatly affect fuel consumption and
stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski
rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic
penetration of the vehicle and
have a negative effect on fuel
consumption. When transporting
particularly large objects, use a
trailer if possible.
Electric devices
Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time needed. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
windscreen/rear window wipers
and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy, therefore
increasing fuel consumption (by up
to 25% in the urban cycle).Climate control
system
Air conditioning leads to higher fuel
consumption (on average up to
+20%). If the temperature outside
permits, try and use the ventilation
only.
Devices for
aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified spoilers
may adversely affect air drag and
fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
The main driving styles that affect
fuel consumption are listed below.
Cranking
Do not warm up the engine at low
or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine
to warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and
emissions. It is therefore advisable
to move off immediately, slowly,
avoiding high speeds: in this way
the engine will warm up more
quickly.
185

Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off
the engine. This action and also
double declutching is absolutely
pointless on modern cars and also
increases consumption and
pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the
traffic and road permit, use a higher
gear. Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase
consumption.
In the same way improper use of a
high gear increases consumption,
emissions and engine wear.
Max. speed
Fuel consumption increases
considerably with speed. Maintain a
constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and
acceleration, which cost in terms of
both fuel consumption and
emissions.Acceleration
Accelerating violently will greatly
affect consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual.
USAGE CONDITIONS
The main usage conditions that
negatively affect fuel consumption
are listed below.
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold
starts do not allow the engine
to reach optimum operating
temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (from +15
to +30% on the urban cycle) and
emissions.Traffic and road
conditions
Rather high consumption levels are
linked to situations with heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling
in queues with frequent use of
the lower gears or in cities with
many traffic lights. Winding
mountain roads and rough road
surfaces also adversely affect
consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g.
level crossings) the engine should
be switched off.
186
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

An electric brake (or electric winch)
should be supplied directly by the
battery through a cable with a cross
section of no less than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brakes or
other devices must be used with
engine running.
In addition to the electrical
branches, the vehicle's electric
system can only be connected to
the supply cable for an electric
brake and to the cable for an
internal light, though not above 15
W. For connections use the preset
control unit with battery cable no
less than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT The trailer tow hook
contributes to the length of the
vehicle. When installing on long
wheelbase versions, it is only
possible to install removable tow
hooks because the total vehicle
length limit of 6 metres is
exceeded.
If no trailer is fitted, the hook must
be removed from the attachment
base and it must not exceed the
vehicle's original length.IMPORTANT If you wish to leave
the tow hook fitted without towing a
trailer, it is advisable to contact a
Fiat Dealership for the relevant
system update operations because
the tow hook could be detected
as an obstacle by the central
sensors.Installation diagram
for Van versions fig.
173
The tow hook structure must be
fastened in the points shown by the
symbol Ø using a total of 6
M10x1.25 screws and 4 M12
screws.
The internal back plates must be at
least 5 mm thick. MAX LOAD ON
BALL: 100/120 kg according to the
payload (see “Weights” table in
the “Technical data” section).
137)
To install a tow hook, the bumpers
must be trimmed as described in
the supplier's installation kit.
188
STARTING AND DRIVING