tow FIAT DUCATO 2013 Owner handbook (in English)

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INDEXTo open the sliding side door, lift handle A and slide the
door open.
The sliding side door is equipped with a stop that
prevents it sliding beyond the end of its travel when
opening. To close, operate the exterior handle A (or
the corresponding interior handle) and push to closed.
In any case, make sure that the door is correctly
hooked to the device which keeps the door fully open.
SLIDING SIDE GLASS fig. 115
(for versions/markets where provided)
To open, keep the two handles B pressed toward one
another and slide the glass.
When the two handles are released, the sliding glass
may stop in intermediate positions. Device deactivation
The system is disabled automatically on every door in
the following cases:
❒opening the driver’s door using the mechanical key;
❒when unlocking doors using the remote control;
❒when turning the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position.
Before leaving the vehicle parked with
the sliding doors open, always check
that the lock is engaged.
WARNING
Do not move the vehicle with the side
doors open.
WARNING
SLIDING SIDE DOOR fig. 114
F0N0061mfig. 114

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F0N0240mfig. 115F0N0176mfig. 116
MOVING FOOTBOARD fig. 116
(for versions/markets where provided)
When the side door of the passenger compartment or
luggage compartment is opened, a footboard emerges
from the lower part of the floorpan to make it easier to
board the vehicle.
Before setting off after parking or before
moving the vehicle in any way, ensure
that the footboard is fully stowed away.
Because the movement of the footboard is
controlled by that of the sliding side door,
incomplete stowing of the footboard or non-
closure of the rear doors is indicated by
a warning light
´in the instrument panel.
WARNING
REAR SWING DOORS (TWO)
Manual opening of the first swing door from the
outside
Turn the key anticlockwise fig. 111 or press button
∞
on the remote control and operate the handle
A-fig. 117 in the direction of the arrow.
Manual opening of the first swing door
from the inside fig. 118
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Pull handle B in the direction of the arrow.
Manual closure of the first swing door
from the outside
Turn the key clockwise or press button
Áon the key
with remote control. Close the left door first, followed
by the right door.

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Detection distances
Central action range: 140 cm ±10 cm
Side action range: 60 cm ±20 cm
If several obstacles are detected by the sensors, only the
nearest one is considered.
FAILURE WARNING
Any parking sensor failures will be indicated when
engaging reverse by the
twarning light in the instrument
panel together with the message in the multifunction
display coming on for versions/markets where provided
(see “Warning lights and messages” section).OPERATION WITH TRAILER
Parking sensor operation is automatically disabled when
the electric cable plug of the trailer is fitted into the
vehicle tow hook socket.
The sensors are automatically enabled again when the
trailer cable plug is removed.
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.
When using special washing equipment such as high
pressure jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors very
quickly keeping the jet more than 10 cm away.

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If, when the ignition key is at MAR-ON the warning light
Yremains on together with warning light m, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR-ON; if the
warning lights remain on, try with the other keys
provided with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on constantly, contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key on MAR-ON
when the engine is off.
The warning light mwill flash for
60 seconds after starting or during
prolonged cranking to indicate a fault with
the glow plug preheating system. Use the vehicle
normally if the engine starts, but contact Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
Remember that the brake servo and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore
more effort than usual is required on the brake
pedal and steering wheel.
Avoid jump starting the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause a flow of fuel into the
catalytic converter and damage it beyond repair.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE
AFTER IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
speed. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first
few kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge
starts moving.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow the
engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by
letting it idle to allow the temperature in the engine
compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely
no practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is
damaging especially to turbocharged engines.
In some cases, when the engine switches off,
the fan could start for max. 120 seconds.

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F0N0074mfig. 155
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
To engage the gears, depress the clutch pedal fully and
shift the gear lever into the required positions (the
diagram is shown on the gear knob fig. 155).
To engage 6
thgear (where provided), operate the lever
by pressing it towards the right in order to avoid
engaging 4
thgear by mistake. The same applies to the
shift from 6thto 5thgear.
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 ring A under the knob and at the same time move
the gear lever to the right and then backwards.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. For this reason, there
must be no obstacles on the floor under the
pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if any) are
lying flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever, because this pressure, even
if light, over time can wear out the
internal gearbox components.

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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.
LOAD 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”
section): kerb weight, payload, total weight, maximum
weight on front axle, maximum weight on rear axle,
towable weight.
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
IMPORTANT The maximum permitted load on the
floor fastenings is 500 kg; the maximum permitted load
on the side panel is 150 kg.
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.
WARNING
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.
WARNING

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CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may help you to keep
the running costs of your vehicle down and lower the
amount of toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an interval
of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is
higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. 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. It is better to use a trailer, particularly
for transporting bulky objects. In addition to these general precautions, some simple
precautions can improve driving safety, travelling
comfort and vehicle durability:
❒distribute the load evenly over the floor: if it is
necessary to concentrate it in a single area, choose
an area mid-way between both axles;
❒remember that the lower the load, the lower the
vehicle’s centre of gravity, making for a safer drive:
therefore always position the heaviest goods lower
down;
❒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.
If you wish to carry petrol in a reserve
tank, observe the legal restrictions and
only use a tank that is type approved and
properly secured to the load anchorage
eyebolts. However, the risk of fire in the event
of an accident increases.
WARNING

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TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
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 rear view 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 for 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.
Fit a suitable towing stabiliser to the trailer to be towed. CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts will prevent the
engine from reaching optimal running temperature.
Consequently, both consumption (from +15 to +30% on
urban cycle ) and emissions will increase.
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.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level crossings) the
engine should be switched off.

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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/EEC 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.
An electric brake or other device should be supplied
directly by the battery through a cable with a cross
section of no less than 2.5 mm
2.
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.
WARNING
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.
WARNING

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IMPORTANT The engine must be running to use the
electric brake or a winch.
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.