FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER 2014 Owner handbook (in English)

BATTERYThe battery is “limited maintenance”
type: under normal conditions of use,
the electrolyte does not need topping
up with distilled water.
It does, however, need to be checked
periodically at a Fiat Dealership or
by specialist personnel to make sure it
is working correctly.
The battery is located inside the
passenger compartment, in front of the
pedals. Remove the protective cover
to gain access to it.
184) 185)
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with an
original spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the “Scheduled Servicing Plan” will no
longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.
51) 52)186) 187)4)
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
❒when you park the vehicle, ensure
that the doors, tailgate and bonnet
are closed properly, to prevent any
roof lights from remaining on inside
the passenger's compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the
vehicle: the vehicle is however
equipped with a system which
switches all internal lights off
automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before carrying out any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery cable through the
suitable terminal;
❒Completely tighten the battery
terminals.
237

IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the
electrical supply from the battery. When
reconnecting the electrical supply to
the battery, make sure that the ignition
key is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery is also more prone to the
risk of freezing (at temperatures as high
as -10°C).
Refer to the paragraph "Car inactivity"
in "Starting and driving" if the car is
left parked for a long time.If, after buying the vehicle, you want to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories that in any
case burden the electrical supply,
contact a Fiat Dealership, whose
qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
from Lineaccessori Fiat, will evaluate
the overall electrical consumption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electrical
system is capable of withstanding the
load required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
IMPORTANT If a tachograph is fitted, if
the vehicle is parked for a long period
of 5 days, it is advisable to disconnect
the negative battery terminal to
maintain its charge.
If the vehicle is equipped with a battery
disconnection function (disconnector),
see the description of the procedure
in the "Controls" paragraph in the
"Dashboard and controls" section.
WARNING
184) 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.
185) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
186) 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.
187) Always wear appropriate
goggles when working on or near
the battery.
238
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
51) 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.
52) 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.
239

WHEELS AND TYRESCheck 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. 244: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.188) 189) 190) 191)
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.244
F1A0240
240
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

WARNING
188) Remember that the road
holding qualities of your vehicle
also depend on the correct
inflation pressure of the tyres.
189) If the pressure is too low, the
tyre will overheat and could be
seriously damaged.
190) Avoid switching the tyres from
the right side of the vehicle to the
left side and vice versa.
191) 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 HOSESAs 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
WIPERBLADES
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.
192)
241

Replacing the
windscreen wiper
blades
53)
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the wiper arm, press tab A fig.
245 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. 246
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
192) Driving with worn windscreen
wiper blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in
bad weather conditions.
IMPORTANT
53) Do not operate the windscreen
wiper with the blades lifted from
the windscreen.
245
F1A0241
246
F1A0242
242
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

BODYWORKPROTECTION 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.
243

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;
❒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.
54)
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.
244
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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.
IMPORTANT
54) 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.
245

INTERIORSRegularly 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.
193) 194)
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.
IMPORTANT Be careful when using a
steering wheel lock device, where
applicable, to avoid damaging
the leather upholstery by rubbing.
246
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE