2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER Owner handbook (in English)

WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre,
including the space-saver wheel,
approximately every two weeks and
before long journeys: the pressure
should be checked with the tyre
rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to
increase when the vehicle is used;
for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see “Wheels” in the
“Technical specifications” section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal
tyre wear fig. 246:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn;
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges;
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
The tyres must be replaced when
the tread is less than 1.6 mm thick.
In any case, follow the laws in
force in the country you are in.
193) 194) 195) 196)
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp
braking and screech starts. Be
careful not to hit the kerb, potholes or
other hard obstacles. Driving for
long stretches over uneven roads can
damage the tyres;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if required;
❒avoid overloading the car when
travelling: this may cause serious
damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop
immediately and change it to avoid
damage to the tyre, the rim,
suspensions and steering system;❒tyres age even if they are not used a
great deal. Cracks in the tread and
on the side walls are a sign of ageing.
In any event, have the tyres checked
by specialised personnel if they
have been fitted for longer than 6
years. Remember to check the spare
wheel very carefully;
❒in the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of
unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10–15
thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the vehicle so as
not to reverse the direction of
rotation.
IMPORTANT Replacing a tyre,
check that the tyre pressure
monitoring (TPMS) sensor is also
taken from the previous rim,
together with the valve.
246F1A0240
245

WARNING
193) Remember that the road
holding qualities of your vehicle
also depend on the correct
inflation pressure of the tyres.
194) If the pressure is too low, the
tyre will overheat and could be
seriously damaged.
195) Avoid switching the tyres from
the right side of the vehicle to the
left side and vice versa.
196) Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments requiring
the use of temperatures
exceeding 150°C. The mechanical
properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel
supply system rubber hoses are
concerned, follow the "Scheduled
Servicing Plan" in this chapter
carefully.
Ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the
system may cause hardening and
cracking of the hoses, with possible
leaks. Careful checking is therefore
necessary.
WINDSCREEN
WIPER
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part
using special products; TUTELA
PROFESSIONAL SC 35 is
recommended.
Replace the blades if the rubber
edge is deformed or worn. In any
case, it is advisable to replace them
approximately once a year.
A few simple precautions can
reduce the possibility of damage to
the blades:
❒if the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen
the rubber against the glass. Use a
de-icing product to release it if
required;
❒remove any snow from the glass: in
addition to protecting the blades,
this prevents effort on the motor and
overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen and
rear window wipers on dry glass.
197)
246
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Replacing the
windscreen wiper
blades
54)
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the wiper arm, press tab A fig.
247 of the attachment spring and
remove the blade from the arm;
❒fit the new blade, inserting the tab
into the special slot in the arm,
making sure that it is locked;
❒lower the wiper arm on the
windscreen.
SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen (washer)
fig. 248
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly
check that there is fluid in the
reservoir: (see "Checking levels" in
this chapter).
Then check that the nozzle holes
are not clogged; use a needle
to unblock them if necessary.
The washer jets should be
positioned by adjusting the angle of
the sprays using a small straight-
headed screwdriver.
The jets should be directed at
about a third of the height from the
top edge of the windscreen.HEADLIGHT WASHERS
Check the correct condition and
cleanliness of nozzles at regular
intervals.
The headlight washers come on
automatically when the windscreen
washer is operated with the low
beams on.
WARNING
197) Driving with worn windscreen
wiper blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in
bad weather conditions.
IMPORTANT
54) Do not operate the windscreen
wiper with the blades lifted from
the windscreen.
247F1A0241
248F1A0242
247

BODYWORK
PROTECTION AGAINST
ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are
the following:
❒atmospheric pollution;
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
❒seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne
atmospheric dust and sand, as well
as mud and gravel raised by other
vehicles is also not to be
underestimated.
On your vehicle, Fiat has
implemented the best
manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
❒painting products and systems which
give the vehicle particular resistance
to corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated)
steel sheets, with high resistance
to corrosion;❒spraying the underbody, engine
compartment, wheelhouse internal
parts and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
❒spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more
exposed points: underdoor, inner
wing, edges, etc;
❒use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside.
VEHICLE BODY AND
UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your vehicle is covered by warranty
against perforation due to corrosion
of any original element of the
structure or body.
For the general terms of this
warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.
ADVICE FOR
PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paintwork
Paintwork does not only serve an
aesthetic purpose, but also
protects the underlying sheet metal.Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent rust
formation. Only use genuine spare
paint products for touch-ups (see
“Bodywork paint identification
plate” in the “Technical
Specifications” section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork
consists in washing the car: the
frequency depends on the
conditions and environment where
the car is used.
For example, it is advisable to wash
the vehicle more often in areas
with high levels of environmental
pollution or on roads spread with
salt.
To correctly wash the vehicle,
proceed as follows:
❒wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water;
❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge;
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
❒rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or a chamois leather.

If you put the car through a car
wash, follow these
recommendations:
❒remove the aerial from the roof so it
does not get damaged;
❒the vehicle should be washed with
water added to a soapy solution;
❒rinse thoroughly to avoid soap marks
remaining on the bodywork or less
visible parts.
55)
Dry the less visible parts, such as
the door frames, bonnet and the
headlight frames with special care,
as in these areas water may
stagnate more easily. It is a good
idea to leave the vehicle outdoors
for a while after washing it to give
the water time to evaporate.
Do not wash the vehicle after it has
been left in the sun or with the
bonnet hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.Exterior plastic parts should be
cleaned in the same way as the rest
of the vehicle. Where possible, do
not park the vehicle under trees;
the resinous substances released
by many species give the paint
a dull appearance and increase the
possibility of corrosion.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must
be washed off immediately and
thoroughly as the acid they contain
is particularly aggressive.5)
Windows
To clean glasses, use specific
cleaning products. Use clean cloths
to avoid scratching the glass or
damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
inside gently with a cloth following
the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.Engine compartment
At the end of each winter,
thoroughly wash the engine
compartment, taking care to avoid
spraying the water jet directly
onto the electronic control units and
the relay/fuse box on the left side
of the engine compartment (driving
direction). Have this operation
performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should
take place with the engine cold and
the ignition key in the STOP
position. After the washing
operation, make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been
removed or damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones
(e.g. acetone) for cleaning the
plastic lenses of the front
headlights.
249

IMPORTANT
55) Some car washes with old-style
blades and/or in a poor state of
repair can damage the paintwork,
facilitating the formation of lines
that give the paint a dull/misty
appearance, especially on dark
colours. If this happens, lightly
polish the paintwork with
appropriate products.
IMPORTANT
5) Detergents cause water pollution.
The vehicle should be washed in
areas equipped for collecting
and purifying the liquid used in
the washing process.
INTERIORS
Regularly check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to
water dripping off shoes, umbrellas,
etc.), as this could cause oxidation
of the sheet metal.
198) 199)
SEATS AND FABRIC
PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a
vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to
use a moist brush on velvet
upholstery.
Rub the seats with a sponge
moistened with a solution of water
and mild soap.
PLASTIC PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior parts
with a moist cloth and a solution
of water and non-abrasive mild
soap. Use specific products for
cleaning plastic, without solvents
and specifically designed to prevent
damage to the appearance and
colour of the treated parts, to
remove grease and tough stains.IMPORTANT Do not use alcohol,
petrols or derivatives to clean
the instrument panel glass.
LEATHER STEERING
WHEEL/GEAR
KNOB/HANDBRAKE
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
These components must be
cleaned with mild soap and water
only. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products.
Read the product label carefully
before using specific products for
cleaning the interiors: make sure
that the product does not contain
spirits or alcohol-based
substances.
If, when cleaning the windscreen
with special products, window
cleaner accidentally drips onto the
leather of the steering wheel/gear
lever knob/handbrake, wipe away
immediately and then wash the
affected area with mild soap and
water.
250
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT Be careful when using
a steering wheel lock device, where
applicable, to avoid damaging the
leather upholstery by rubbing.
WARNING
198) Never use flammable products,
such as petroleum ether or
modified petrol, to clean the
inside of the vehicle. The
electrostatic charges which are
generated by rubbing during
the cleaning operation may cause
a fire.
199) Do not keep aerosol cans in the
vehicle: they might explode.
Aerosol cans must not be exposed
to a temperature exceeding 50°C.
When the vehicle is exposed to
sunlight, the internal temperature
can greatly exceed this value.
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