towing FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER 2015 Owner handbook (in English)

FAULT INDICATIONS
Any parking sensor faults will be
indicated when reverse is engaged
by the warning light
in the
instrument panel or by the icon
on the display and by the
message in the multifunction
display (for versions/markets, where
provided)
OPERATION WITH
TRAILER
Parking sensor operation is
automatically deactivated when the
electric cable plug of the trailer is
inserted into the vehicle tow hook
socket.
The sensors are automatically
reactivated when the trailer's cable
plug is removed.
17)
86)
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.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
❒Do not apply stickers to the sensors.
❒When parking, take the utmost
care over obstacles that may be
above or under the sensor.
❒Objects close to the vehicle, in
certain circumstances are not
detected and could therefore cause
damage to the vehicle or be
damaged.
The following conditions may
influence the performance of the
parking assistance system:
❒Reduced sensor sensitivity and a
reduction in the parking assistance
system performance could be due to
the presence on the surface of the
sensor of: ice, snow, mud, thick
paint.❒The sensor may detect a non-
existent obstacle (echo noise) due to
mechanical noises, for example
when washing the vehicle, in case of
rain, strong wind, hail.
❒The signals sent by the sensors can
also be altered by the presence of
ultrasonic systems (e.g. pneumatic
brake systems or pneumatic drills)
near the vehicle.
❒The performance of the parking
assistance system may also be
affected by the position of the
sensors. For example by a change in
the ride setting (caused by the wear
of the shock absorbers, suspension),
changing the tyres, overloading the
vehicle and carrying out specific
tuning operations that require the
vehicle to be lowered.
❒Detection of obstacles in the upper
part of the vehicle (particularly in the
case of vans or chassis cabs) may
not be guaranteed because the
system detects obstacles that could
strike the lower part of the vehicle.
102
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the
vehicle: seeing how you can exploit
all of its potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in
any situation, so that it can be a
welcome companion, with our
comfort and our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE .................180
PARKING ........................................181
USING THE GEARBOX ...................183
LOADING ADVICE...........................184
SAVING FUEL .................................185
TOWING TRAILERS ........................187
SNOW TYRES ................................195
SNOW CHAINS...............................195
PROLONGED VEHICLE
INACTIVITY .....................................196
179

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

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

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out
bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can
help you to deal with critical
situations independently and with
calm.
In an emergency we recommend
that you call the freephone number
found in the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
3428 0000 freephone number to
search the nearest Fiat Dealership.STARTING THE ENGINE .................198
REPLACING A WHEEL ...................199
FIX & GO AUTOMATIC QUICK
TYRE REPAIR KIT ...........................204
CHANGING A BULB .......................208
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB ..211
CHANGING AN INTERIOR BULB ....216
REPLACING FUSES........................217
BATTERY RECHARGING ................225
LIFTING THE VEHICLE....................226
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................226
197

STARTING THE
ENGINE
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately
if warning light
stays on
constantly on the instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to
start the engine using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a
little higher than the flat one.
It is advisable to contact a Fiat
Dealership to check/replace the
battery.
140)
Proceed as follows to start the
vehicle:
❒raise the flap A fig. 178 to gain
access to the positive battery
terminal.
❒connect the positive terminals (sign +
near the terminal) of the two batteries
with a jump lead;
❒use a second cable to connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to the earth point as shown in
fig. 179;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started,
remove the cables reversing the
order above.
If after a few attempts the engine
does not start, do not persist
but contact the nearest Fiat
Dealership.IMPORTANT Do not directly
connect the negative terminals of
the two batteries: sparks could
ignite explosive gas released from
the battery. If the auxiliary battery is
installed on another vehicle, avoid
any metal parts on the latter and
the vehicle with the flat battery from
accidentally coming into contact.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into
the catalytic converter and damage
it beyond repair.
WARNING
140) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery
and do not cause sparks.
178F1A0351179F1A0352
198
IN AN EMERGENCY

170) Do not attempt to charge a
frozen battery: it must be thawed
first, otherwise it may explode.
If freezing has occurred, the
battery should be checked by
skilled personnel to make sure
that the internal elements are not
damaged and that the body is
not cracked, with the risk of
leaking poisonous and corrosive
acid.LIFTING THE
VEHICLE
If the vehicle needs to be lifted, go
to a Fiat Dealership which is
equipped with the arm hoist or
workshop lift.
The vehicle must only be lifted
laterally by placing the ends of the
arms or workshop lift in the areas
shown in fig. 233.
TOWING THE
VEHICLE
171) 172) 173) 174) 175) 176) 177) 178) 179)
The vehicle is equipped with two
rings for attaching the tow hook.
233F1A0366
234F1A0221
235F1A0222
226
IN AN EMERGENCY

The front ring is located in the tool
box beneath the passenger side
seat. On versions with Fix&Go
kit and without spare wheel, the
tool box is available only on request
for versions/markets where
provided.In the absence of the tool box the
vehicle front tow hook is housed
in the on-board documentation
container, together with the Owner
Handbook.
To use it, proceed as follows:
❒Open the flap A and remove it as
illustrated in fig. 234;
❒turn retaining knob B fig. 234
anticlockwise and remove it to allow
the box fig. 235 to come out;
❒take the screwdriver provided from
the box and prise up at the point
shown to raise the cap C fig. 237;
❒take the tow ring D from the box and
screw it onto the threaded pin fig.
237.
The rear ring B fig. 238 is located at
the point shown in the diagram.
WARNING
171) Screw on the tow hook and
check that it stops at the end
of travel position.
172) Before towing, switch off the
steering lock (see "Starting
device" paragraph under the
"Knowing your car" section).
173) Remember that the brake servo
and the electric power steering
are not available during towing
operations. Significantly greater
force must be exerted on the
brake pedal and on the steering
wheel to operate them.
174) Do not use flexible cables for
towing and avoid jerking. During
towing operations, make sure that
the fastened joint does not
damage adjoining components.
175) When towing the vehicle
comply with the specific rules of
the Highway Code regarding
the towing device and the
behaviour on the road.
176) Do not start the engine while
towing the vehicle.
236F1A0344
237F1A0223
238F1A0224
227

177) Towing must be made
exclusively on roads/streets; the
device must not be used to
recover the vehicle if it got off the
road.
178) Towing must not be made for
getting past significant obstacles
on the road (e.g. heaps of snow
or material on the road surface).
179) Towing must take place with
the two vehicles (one towing,
the other towed) aligned as much
as possible; towing by roadside
assistance vehicles, too, must
take place with the two vehicles
aligned as much as possible
228
IN AN EMERGENCY