FIAT DUCATO BASE CAMPER 2016 Owner handbook (in English)

To engage reverse R from neutral,
proceed as follows: raise sliding ring A
under the knob and at the same time
move the gear lever to the left and then
forwards.
136)
35)
WARNING
136) Depress the clutch pedal fully
to change gear correctly. It is
therefore essential that there is
nothing under the pedals: make
sure the mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
35) Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as the
force exerted, even if slight, could
lead over time to premature wear
of the internal gearbox
components. The clutch pedal
should be used only for gear
changes. Do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal,
however lightly. For versions/
markets where provided, the
electronic clutch pedal control
could cut in, interpreting the
incorrect driving style as a fault.
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)
137) 138) 139)
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;
187

❒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
137) 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.
138) 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.
139) 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.
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.
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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.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. This action and also double
declutching is absolutely pointless on
modern cars and also increases
consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic
and road permit, use a higher gear.
Using a low gear for faster acceleration
will increase consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.Max. speed
Fuel consumption increases
considerably with speed. Maintain a
constant speed, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cost
in terms of both fuel consumption and
emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently will greatly affect
consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual.
USAGE CONDITIONS
The main usage conditions that
negatively affect fuel consumption are
listed below.
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts
do not allow the engine to reach
optimum operating temperature.
This results in a significant increase in
consumption levels (from +15 to +30%
on the urban cycle) and emissions.
189

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.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) the engine should be
switched off.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.
140) 141)
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.
190
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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 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. 174
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).
142)
To install a tow hook, the bumpers
must be trimmed as described in the
supplier's installation kit.
191

Installation diagram for
Truck and Chassis Cab
versions fig. 175
Another tow hook specific to Truck and
Chassis Cab versions in shown in fig.
175.
The structure Ø must be fixed in the
points indicated using a total of 6
M10x1.25 screws and 4 M12 screws.
MAX LOAD ON BALL: 100/120 kg
according to the payload (see
“Weights” table in the “Technical data”
section).
143)
WARNING
140) 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.
141) 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.142) After fitting, fixing screw holes
must be sealed to prevent an
exhaust gas inlet.
143) After fitting, fixing screw holes
must be sealed to prevent an
exhaust gas inlet.
192
STARTING AND DRIVING

Existing nut
Existing hole

M12
M10 (3x)
174F1A0164
193

Existing hole

175F1A0165
194
STARTING AND DRIVING

INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE REMOVABLE
BALL HEAD TOW BAR
37) 38) 39) 40) 41) 42)
Before setting off, check the correct
locking of the removable ball head tow
bar, as follows:
❒The green mark of the flywheel must
coincide with the green mark on the
tow bar.
❒The flywheel is in the stop position on
the tow bar (without slot).
❒Locked lock and key removed. The
flywheel cannot be removed.
❒Ball head bar firmly secured to the
housing pipe. Check by shaking
with a hand.
The fitting procedure must be repeated
if any of the 4 checked requirements
is not met.
If even only one of the requirements is
not met the tow hook must not be
used, as in this case there is risk of
accidents. Contact the joint
manufacturer.
The ball head tow bar can be fitted and
removed manually, without needing
any tool.
Never use working tools or means, as
the mechanism could be damaged.Never unlock in the case of trailer
attached to the vehicle or fitted rack.
When driving without trailer or rack the
ball head tow bar must be removed
and the closing plug must always
be inserted in the housing pipe. This
applies particularly if the visibility of the
number plate characters or of the
lighting system is reduced.
Removable ball head
tow barfig. 176 - fig. 177 - fig. 178
1. Housing pipe - 2. Ball head tow bar
- 3. Locking balls - 4. Release lever -
5. Flywheel - 6. Cap - 7. Key - 8. Red
mark (flywheel) - 9. Green mark
(flywheel) - 10. Green mark (tow bar) -
11. Symbol (control release) - 12.
Closing plug - 13. Coupling pin - 14.
No slot between 2 and 5 - 15. Slot
of approx. 5 mm
.
.
176F1A0380
177 - Locked position, drivingF1A0381
178 - Released position, removedF1A0382
195

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.
196
STARTING AND DRIVING