2015 FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER ESP

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

Installing the ball
head tow bar
1. Remove the plug from the
mounting pipe.
The ball head tow bar is usually in
the released position when taken
out from the luggage compartment.
This can be observed by the
flywheel spaced from the tow bar,
corresponding to a slot of approx. 5
mm (see figure) and by the red
mark on the flywheel directed to the
green mark on the tow bar.
Please note that the tow bar can be
installed only when in these
conditions. If the locking
mechanism of the tow bar is
disengaged before the installation,
or at any other time, and is in the
locked position, it must be
pre-loaded. The locked position
can be identified by the green mark
of the flywheel coinciding with the
green mark of the tow bar and
by the flywheel in the stop position
on the tow bar, namely without
slot (see figure).The locking mechanism is
pre-loaded as follows: with the key
inserted and the lock open, extract
the flywheel following the direction
of the arrow and, to pre-load, rotate
according to the direction of the
arrow b until the stop. The release
lever is engaged and the locking
mechanism remains in the
pre-loading position even when the
flywheel is released. The tow bar
must be inserted in the housing
pipe with the coupling pin for the
installation. Insert from the bottom
and push upwards. The
mechanism then locks
automatically. Keep your hands far
from the flywheel, as it rotates
during the locking procedure.
2. The tow bar must be inserted in
the housing pipe with the coupling
pin for the installation. Insert from
the bottom and push upwards. The
mechanism then locks
automatically. Keep your hands far
from the flywheel, as it rotates
during the locking procedure.3. Close the lock and always
remove the key. The key cannot be
removed when the lock is released.
Apply the protection cap on the
lock.
Removing the tow bar
1. Remove the protection cap
from the lock and press it on the
key grip. Open the lock with the
key.
2. Hold the tow bar firmly, remove
the flywheel following the direction
of the arrow and rotate according
to the direction of the arrow b
until stopping, so as to remove till
the extracted position. Then
remove the tow bar from the
housing pipe. The flywheel can then
be released; it autonomously stops
in the released position.
3. Arrange the tow bar in the
luggage compartment so that it
cannot be dirtied or damaged by
other transported objects.
4. Insert the suitable plug in the
mounting pipe.
193

IMPORTANT
2) Replace the bottle containing the
sealant after the expiry date.
Dispose of the bottle and
the sealant properly. Have the
sealing fluid and the bottle
disposed of in compliance with
national and local regulations.
CHANGING A BULB
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
45)
163) 164)
❒When a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before changing a bulb. For the
location of fuses, refer to the
paragraph "Replacing fuses" in this
chapter.
❒before changing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
❒burnt bulbs must be replaced by
others of the same type and power;
❒always check the headlight beam
direction after changing a bulb;
IMPORTANT A slight misting may
appear on the internal surface
of the headlight: this does
not indicate a fault and is caused
by low temperature and the degree
of humidity in the air. Misting will
rapidly disappear when the
headlights are switched on. The
presence of drops inside the
headlights indicates infiltration of
water. Contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT
45) Halogen bulbs must be handled
by holding the metallic part only.
Touching the transparent part
of the bulb with your fingers may
reduce the intensity of the
emitted light and even reduce the
lifespan of the bulb. In the event
of accidental contact, wipe the
bulb with a cloth moistened with
alcohol and let the bulb dry.
WARNING
163) Modifications or repairs to the
electric system that are not
carried out properly or do not take
the system technical
specifications into account can
cause malfunctions leading to the
risk of fire.
164) Halogen bulbs contain
pressurised gas; in the case of
breakage they may burst.
208
IN AN EMERGENCY

Thousands of miles 30 60 90 120 150
Thousands of kilometres 48 96 144 192 240
Years246810
Replace toothed timing drive belt (*)(110(°)130-150 MultiJet versions)
Replace toothed timing drive belt (**)( 115 MultiJet versions(°))
Replace air cleaner cartridge (***)●●●●●
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (°°) (#)
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)●●●●●
Replace pollen filter (or every 2 years)●●●●●
(*) Advised maximum mileage 192,000 km. Irrespective of the mileage, the timing drive belt must be changed every 4 years for heavy-duty use (cold climates, town
use, long periods of idling) or at least every 5 years.
(°)Version for specific markets
(**) Advised maximum mileage 144,000 km. Irrespective of the mileage, the timing drive belt must be changed every 4 years for heavy-duty use (cold climates, town
use, long periods of idling) or at least every 5 years.
(***) If the vehicle is equipped with a specific air cleaner for dusty areas: -every 20,000 km check and wash cleaner; every 40,000 km replace cleaner.
(°°) The actual interval for changing the oil and replacing the engine oil filter depends on the car usage conditions and is signalled by the warning light or message (if
present) on the instrument panel (see “Warning lights and messages” paragraph) and must never exceed 2 years.
(#) If the vehicle is driven mainly in towns, change engine oil and oil filter every 12 months.
233

ENGINE OIL
48)
Check the oil level a few minutes
(about 5) after the engine has
stopped, with the vehicle parked on
level ground.
The oil level must be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
dipstick B fig. 239 - fig. 240 - fig.
241.
The range between the MIN and
MAX marks corresponds to about 1
litre of oil.
If the oil level is near or under the
MIN mark, add oil through the filler
A fig. 239 - fig. 240 - fig. 241,
until it reaches the MAX mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
Engine oil
consumption
The maximum engine oil
consumption is usually 400 grams
every 1000 km.
When the vehicle is new, the engine
needs to be run in, therefore the
engine oil consumption can only be
considered stabilised after the first
5,000–6,000 km.IMPORTANT The oil consumption
depends on driving style and the
conditions under which the vehicle
is used.
IMPORTANT After adding or
changing the oil, let the engine run
for a few seconds and wait a few
minutes after switching it off before
checking the level.
IMPORTANT Always top up using
engine oil of the same
specifications as that already in the
engine.
ENGINE COOLANT
49)182)
The coolant level must be checked
when the engine is cold and must
range between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
If the level is to low, operate as
follows:
❒remove the plastic cover A fig. 242,
rotating the locking screws B fig.
242 counter-clockwise, to access the
filler of the reservoir;❒slowly pour a mixture of 50%
demineralised water and 50%
PARAFLU
UPfrom PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS through the reservoir
filler C fig. 239 - fig. 240 - fig. 241
until the level is close to MAX.
A 50-50 mixture of PARAFLUUPand
distilled water gives freeze
protection up to –35°C.
When the vehicle is used in
particularly harsh weather
conditions, we recommend using a
60-40 mixture of PARAFLU
UPand
demineralised water.
242F1A0336
238
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

WARNING
189) Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with skin
and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
190) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
191) Before performing any
operation on the electrical system,
disconnect the negative battery
cable through the suitable
terminal, after having waited at
least one minute from turning the
ignition key to STOP.
192) Always wear appropriate
goggles when working on or near
the battery.
IMPORTANT
52) Incorrect assembly of electrical
and electronic devices may cause
severe damage to your vehicle.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you
want to install accessories after
purchasing the vehicle (alarms,
radiophone, etc.): they will
suggest the most suitable devices
and advise you whether a higher
capacity battery needs to be
installed.
53) If the vehicle needs to be off the
road for a long period under
conditions of intense cold, remove
the battery and take it to a
heated location, otherwise it may
freeze.
IMPORTANT
4) Batteries contain substances
which are very dangerous for the
environment. To replace your
battery, we recommend
contacting your Fiat Dealership to
dispose of your old battery in full
respect of the environment and in
compliance with all applicable
laws and regulations.
244
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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